Ayurvedic Pitta Summer Drink Series Recipes
By: Chloe Chaput (Reiki Practitioner and Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist).
The summer season is ruled by pitta dosha, comprised of the elements of fire and water.
This means that it’s important to keep your body hydrated, but also to avoid drinking too much at once.
To help you avoid this, we’ve compiled a list of easy drinks for summer that are perfect for keeping your body hydrated without having to worry about overloading on water.
These drinks can be taken regularly, that will hydrate the body as well as cool the blood.
You can continue drinking Triphala tea at night to prevent heat from getting blocked in your digestive tract.
Try one of the drinks below next time you’re feeling thirsty!
Herbal Waters
Makes 1 quart
Ingredients:
Fennel
Coriander,
Cardamom
Lavender
You can make 1 quart by following the cold infusion intersections below for the cucumber lime water with your herb of choice.
Cucumber Lime Water
Makes 1 Quart
This recipe features a cold infusion, which appeals in summer weather. Plants that are delicate do well when steeped in cold water rather than cooked. The final product will be a refreshing, cooling, and hot-weather-go-to-tonic that has the bonus of supporting clear skin.
Ingredients:
1/2 small cucumber, peeled thinly and sliced
1 qt water
Juice of one lime
Directions:
In a quart sized glass jar, submerge the cucumber in the water. Add the lime juice. Cover tightly, shake gently, and refrigerate for 1-8 hours. Serve the water with the cucumber pieces in it, or strain them. Allow the water to warm up a bit before drinking. Keep refrigerated and drink within 2-3 days.
Moringa Coconut Water
Makes 16 ounces
This is a decisions and refreshing way to wok Ayurveda’s mineral-rich superfood into your post workout routine. Moringa may help control blood sugar, boost weight loss, and reduce inflammation. Whip up this drink to cool down and rejuvenate after your daily exercise.
Ingredients:
2 cups coconut water
1 tbsp moringa powder
1 cup pineapple chunks (optional)
Directions:
Add the coconut water and Moringa powder to a bottle or jar with a tight lid and shake. Serve immediately. If using pineapple, mix all the ingredients in a blender on high speed for 1 minute.
Cardamom-Ginger Grape Elixer
Serves 2
Many skin issues are actually a response to what’s going on beneath the skin. This elixir both cleanses and nourishes the blood. Grapes are, in Ayurveda, “King among fruits.” This fruit (the red ones) has the ability to nourish the rasa dhatu while cooling the rakta dhatu, which makes it an ideal rejuvenator for the blood. The addition of digestive spices, brings a cleansing bonus for the upper digestive tract. Enjoy this juice often in hot weather, around the menstrual cycle, or to balance too much heating food from the day before.
Try this instead of afternoon coffee (which will heat and dry the dhatus).
Ingredients:
2 cups red seedless grapes
1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp cardamom
1 tsp ground ginger
Lime wedges for garnish
Instructions:
Soak the grapes in cool water for 5 minutes, then drain and rinse. Add the grapes, water, cardamom and ginger to a blender and blend on high for 1 minute, until smooth. Strain through a metal sieve into tall glasses, using the back of a large spoon to press juice through. Alternatively, enjoy smoothie-style without straining. Serve with a lime wedge.
Cardamom Limeade
Serves 2
Together cardamom and lime juice make an exceptionally cool and refreshing drink. This beverage promises to calm irritable, overheated moods.
Ingredients:
3 cups water
1/4 cup lime juice (juice of 2-3 limes)
1/4 tsp cardamom powder
1 tbsp coconut sugar dissolved in 1tbsp hot water
Directions:
Mix together all of the ingredients in a small pitcher or 32 oz glass jar. Serve in 2 tall classes with 2 ice cubes per glass.
Ayurvedic Vegan Lassi
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut-almond yogurt (option to substitute with coconut cream) • 1/2 cup of purified water filtered or spring
- 1 Medjool date pitted
- pinch of turmeric powder
- pinch of cinnamon powder
- pinch cardamom powder
- 3 saffron stigmas optional
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a blender and mix for 1-2 minutes until smooth.
- Adjust spices if necessary. Drink immediately.
Ayurvedic Watermelon Mint Cucumber Smoothie
Ingredients:
2 cups seedless watermelon
2 cups cucumber
10 mint leaves
1 tsp raw local honey
Directions:
Puree in a blender
(Recipes from “The Everyday Ayurveda Cookbook”
“The Everyday Guide to Ayurveda Self Care” by Kate O’Donnell)
If you’re unsure which of these options would be best for you, reach out to me at chloe@rnfc.ca, and we can work together to find the best solution.
As always, I’m here to support you and your family, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about how Ayurveda can help you.
I wish you excellent health and a great summer!
Chloe