Indian Drinks (Best Recipes on the Internet!)

Spiced Indian Beverages

The gentle spice blends in these drinks are utterly delicous and totally addictive. From milky, sweet chai tea to minty jaljeera, here are a few spices Indian drinks to try out.

Indian Chai Tea (Authentic)

Try my Indian mother-in-law’s traditional Chai Tea recipe. This masala chai is made in the classic Indian way, and the result is a milky, sweet and richly colored cuppa steaming spiced tea.

You’ll crave this DIY tea blend made with whole cinnamon and other warming spices. 

Iced Chai Latte

Here is my mother in laws viral recipe for iced chai latte that you will fall in love with. The intense aroma and rich taste is perfect served over ice. 

Chai Coffee

Make a frothy mug of my chai coffee and you’ll never look back. It’s a 15 minute recipe that will change your life.

Authentic Chai Concentrate

Make my Indian husband’s favorite spiced chai concentrate. It’s perfect for chai tea lattes, dirty chai lattes, mixed with soda, and more. Adarsh gets full credit for this fun recipe.

Shikanji 

Here’s a recipe from Tara’s Multicultural Table for Shikanji (Shikanjvi). This is a popular summer drink in Northern India and Pakistan. Lemon juice and water are seasoned with sugar, ginger, black salt, cumin, and black pepper. Best of all, it comes together in less than 10 minutes!

Thandai

Thandai is a popular beverage enjoyed during Holi (the festival of colors) and Mahashivratri. Try this recipe from The Kitchn. This refreshing drink is crafted from almonds, fennel, saffron, sugar, cardamom, and rose petals, all shaken with milk and served cold. The result is a luscious, creamy drink you’ll undoubtedly fall in love with.

Kashmiri Kahwa

Here’s a recipe from Veg Recipes Of India for Kashmiri Kahwa is a fragrant and soothing green tea, infused with whole spices, saffron, and nuts such as almonds or walnuts. The use of aromatic spices and saffron imparts a warming quality to the tea, making it ideal for the chilly climate of Kashmir.

Basundi

Try this Basundi recipe from Whisk Affair. This pretty drink is a traditional Indian dessert, particularly popular in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and parts of Karnataka. It consists of thickened and sweetened milk, delicately flavored with nutmeg, cardamom, and saffron. Enjoy it on its own or paired with poori for a delightful treat (vegetarian, gluten-free).

Jaljeera

Here’s a recipe from Cocoawind for Jaljeera, a spiced Indian lemonade. In Kolkata, where summers are scorching, refreshing drinks like Jaljeera and Aampana are popular, often served at weddings to welcome guests. 

This cumin-flavored, minty drink not only refreshes and delights the palate but also aids digestion, and while convenient pre-made options exist, the homemade version in Indian cuisine is unmatched.

Golden Coconut Milk

This golden milk recipe from Simply Recipes, rooted in Ayurveda, is a nourishing and balancing warm beverage ideal for cold climates. This flavorful drink, also known as Turmeric Latte or Turmeric Milk, typically includes turmeric, ginger, black pepper, and cinnamon mixed with whole milk and sweetened with honey.

Alcoholic Drinks + Indian Cocktails

Want a special drink with alcohol? Venture beyond Kingfisher beef and make one of these incredible Indian style cocktails for a grown-up treat:

Rose Cardamom Cocktail

These delicious Rose Cardamom Cocktail blends bourbon and black tea with edible rose and floral cardamom for a tasty sipper with Indian flavors. 

Garnish with mint leaves for a pretty finish.

Ginger Cocktail

These ginger cocktails are fizzy and delicious with an easy-to-make spicy ginger syrup. It offers a perfect balance of spice, sourness, sweetness, and fizz.

Chai Whisky Flip

This whiskey flip with chai recipe from With Spice is a luxuriously smooth, spiced cocktail. The aromatic chai simple syrup is the essence of what makes this wintery drink so special and delicious. It is steaming with the warm flavors of baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, star anise, and cardamom, along with rich vanilla.

Spicy Nimbu Pani Cocktail

This cocktail recipe from Moon Rice draws inspiration from India’s limeade, or nimbu pani, known for its tangy sourness from black salt, or kala namak. It’s incredibly easy to make, whether for yourself or in a large batch for a party. 

The secret lies in creating a simple syrup infused with serrano peppers for heat, lime zest for tang, and black salt for that iconic sour taste in this Indian lemonade.

Indian Hot Toddy

Here’s a recipe from Easy Indian Cookbook for a chai-spiced hot toddy is a classic cocktail traditionally crafted from a blend of whiskey, hot water, honey or sugar, and lemon. A tea hot toddy is a delightful variation that incorporates chai tea and warming spices into the mix. 

Indian Yogurt Drink Ideas

Silky, yogurty Indian drinks are craveworthy. Here are a few I can’t stop sipping on:

Mango Lassi 

This creamy Mango Lassi  is one of the ultimate Indian Mango drink recipes.

Rich, ripe mango makes the most delicious drinks. In India, golden, sweet mango pulp is pureed into yogurt lassis.

My version uses simple ingredients and takes just 5 minutes. It is perfect to pair with spicy Indian dinner recipes! 

Classic Lassi with Cardamom

Here is an easy base lassi recipe from Piping Hot Curry. This creamy and refreshing drink is sipped all year round, but especially when it’s warm. It is made with yogurt, sugar, and cardamom. 

Sweet Mint Lassi

If you love the fresh taste of mint, Pineapple and Coconut gifts us with this recipe. Made with all the basics of a good lassi- like yogurt and cardamom but with honey, fresh mint and saffron layered in for next-level flavor.

Banana Lassi (4-Ingredient Lassi)

This 4 ingredient recipe from Veggie Desserts couldn’t be simpler. Ice, banana, yogurt and a little bit of sugar get blended together for a silky banana lassi. 

Easy Peach Lassi

Got ripe peaches? Here’s what to do. Make this recipe from The Kitchn for peach lassi with all the basics of a good lassi, plus peaches and a touch of salt for balance. This might just be the most refreshing way to enjoy your summer peach bounty. 

This variation on a classic lassi, an Indian yogurt-based drink, is thick, creamy, and cooling. 

Spiced Salty Lassi (Masala Chaas)

Say what now? Yup, this herby, spiced lassi recipe from The Spice Mess is a cooling digestive aid. These lassis are enjoyed in India to help settle the tummy after indulging in mains. Think garlic, ginger, mint, and coriander with a touch of green chilli. 

This savory recipe can also be made with buttermilk. You’ve got to try it!

Rose Lassi

Isn’t this rose lassi recipe from The Whisk Addict just the prettiest thing? It’s a 10 minute recipe made with pistachios, rose syrup (roohafza) and cardamom. I’m crazy about its frothy topping!

Easy Strawberry Lassi

Here’s another pretty in-pink recipe. I’m in love with this 10 minute recipe made with a handful of ingredients that are likely already tucked away in your kitchen. 

Aam Panna

Here’s a recipe from Ministry of Curry for Aam Panna or Panha. This refreshing raw mango drink is a favorite during the hot summer months in India. Made with sour, unripe green mangoes, it offers a tangy delight. 

While traditionally prepared to be enjoyed immediately, I prefer making it as a concentrate and refrigerating it. This way, it’s always ready to mix with water for a quick and satisfying refreshment.