Drinks for Children’s Lunch Boxes in Summer

Everybody loves going to the beach or eating seasonal fruits in summer. But few can actually bear the summer heat with pleasure. In India, once April begins, the sun begins its relentless onslaught till the monsoon arrives to soothe our parched souls, in July and August. Though summer vacations are in the middle of it, what is a few weeks of vacation compared to months of traipsing to school in this blistering heat?

Therefore, though nourishing snacks for lunchboxes are important, parents should put equal focus on packing nutritious and wholesome drinks in their lunchboxes this summer. Use nice, insulated water bottles and sippers to pack chilled drinks that they may sip on throughout the day, or as long as a nice, chilled summer beverage can last. As a result, they will hardly feel nauseous due to the heat or fall sick by going hungry.

Also, they will be too replete with necessary nutrients to be dehydrated or suffer from heat stroke. Here are some refreshing and delicious drinks for children’s lunch boxes in summer.

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Chaas

Chaas is a spiced buttermilk drink that is massively popular in India due to its cooling, metabolism-aiding, and tasty traits. This drink is made from ingredients usually available in any traditional Indian household. You will require curd, mint leaves, finely chopped coriander leaves, green chilies, grated ginger, black salt, regular salt, cumin powder, lemon juice (do not use if the yogurt is sour), chaat masala, little sugar, and ice-cold water, and lots of ice. Add the yogurt, mint, coriander leaves, green chili, ginger, cumin powder, sugar, and salt to a blender and blend till smooth. Then add a little water and the ice, with some lemon juice (if your yogurt is not sour), and blend until frothy and slushy. Do a taste test and add spices or salt if required. Pour into the sipper or bottle for packing, and garnish with chaat masala, roasted cumin, and coriander leaves.

Fruit Lemonade

This delicious summer drink recipe is a great way of skipping packaged drinks and surprising your kid with a tangy, artistic, and delicious summer beverage. For an easy peach lemonade, you will need honey, lemon peel strips, freshly squeezed lemon juice, water, fresh peach and apple purees, and ice-cold water or club soda. Heat a saucepan, add water and honey, and the lemon peel strips to it. Cook till the peels have simmered for 5 minutes or the mixture has reduced to almost half. Set aside to cool and then strain the syrup carefully. To the lemon honey syrup, use the strainer and add lemon juice, apple puree, and peach puree through it. Use a spatula if needed. Give the mixture a stir and store it in the refrigerator for use as and when needed. When packing for school, use the fruit lemonade mixture with some ice-cold water or club soda and garnish with some lemon wedges and mint leaves.

Aam Panna

This refreshing summer beverage is a hit among children and adults alike. Aam Panna requires raw green mangoes, water, black pepper, salt, red chili powder roasted and crushed cumin seeds, sugar or honey, fresh mint leaves, ice cubes, and rock salt. Boil your peeled raw mangoes in a covered pan for 15 to 20 minutes or till your pressure cooker gives 2 to 3 whistles, till soft. Add sugar or honey and mix well, let it cool down. Now mash the mangoes well to separate the pits. Leave the mangoes a little pulpy to ensure optimal taste and texture. Separate the pits and add all the spices, along with fresh mint leaves. Now add chilled water or a little water and lots of ice and give it a whirl in the blender or use your hands to give it a nice whirl. Serve or pack chilled and be rest assured, your child’s body will be full of electrolytes and hydration all day.

Smoothie

Smoothies are a great way of ensuring your kids consume a healthy meal’s worth of nutrition in a refreshing and nourishing drink. You can even throw in a few vegetables, nuts, and seeds and your kids will only appreciate your wonderful culinary effort. For an easy fix, blend some spinach, fresh fruits, honey, almond butter, chopped roasted walnuts, vegan yogurt, and coconut water/milk for a quick and easy smoothie that can either kick start their mornings or offer a boost of energy after recess during grueling school lessons. But remember always to use frozen or chilled fruits and ingredients to ensure the drinks remain cold for a long time in insulated bottles. And never put any drink with coconut water in copper vessels, a chemical reaction renders the drink harmful and toxic for consumption.

Conclusion

If you make these iconic drinks for your children’s lunchboxes this summer, their health and tummies will thank you forever. Always switch up drinks and repeat after two or three days to ensure your kids are not bored. And make a glass for yourself, while you are at it.