Diwali 2024: Festive Drinks To Serve With Deepavali Snacks And Sweets

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant festivals in India, now celebrated globally. This auspicious festival spans five days and marks the new year according to the Hindu calendar.

While Diwali celebrations vary slightly based on regional and cultural traditions, a few common elements remain such as food, rangolis, sweets, firecrackers, and the lighting of clay lamps (deepas), which are placed outside homes to symbolize the inner light that protects against spiritual darkness.

In India celebrations are always closely tied to food; to go alongside Diwali snacks and sweets, here are five interesting festive drinks by Dr. Mickey Mehta, Global Holistic Health Guru:

Ginger Lemonade

Ingredients: Fresh lemon juice, ginger juice, water, and honey (or a sugar substitute).

Instructions: Mix lemon juice and ginger juice with water. Sweeten to taste and serve over ice with lemon slices for garnish or mint leaves. It will keep you well hydrated and ginger will keep your digestive system at ease.

Coconut Water Mojito

Ingredients: Coconut water, fresh mint leaves, lime juice, a splash of soda water, and fresh coconut malai.

Instructions: Muddle mint leaves and lime juice in a glass, add coconut water, and top with soda water. Garnish with mint or can also add the coconut malai pieces to it.

Soothing elaichi  water 

Ingredients: Elaichi powder, Khadi-Shakkar, black pepper powder, and water

Instructions: Take 1 jug of water and add Khadi-Shakkar, 1 tsp of elaichi powder, and a pinch of black pepper. Keep the water for 3-4 hrs in a refrigerator or keep it overnight and next day serve it chilled. It has a nice calming and relaxing effect on the body which will bring harmony to the body and will keep acidity/ or any digestive issues at bay.

Magical Infused water 

Ingredients: Berries, mint leaves, and cucumber slices

Instructions: Add fresh berries (like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries) or lemon wedges, mint leaves, cucumber slices, and mint to a pitcher of water. Let it sit for a few hours to infuse, creating an antioxidant-rich drink. Add a teaspoon of honey which is lighter in the stomach and is extremely refreshing.

The all-time favourite Masala chai

Ingredients: Black tea, milk (or a dairy alternative), ginger, cardamom, mint leaves cloves, and sugar (or a sugar substitute)

Instructions: Boil water with spices and ginger, add tea leaves, and simmer. Strain, then add milk and sweeten to taste. ( avoiding the boiling of milk will not cause acidity and the herbs will also help to soothe the stomach after all the heavy snacks we munch on this festive season.)