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