Milk is a versatile & nutritious food that can be consumed as a beverage in many flavours. From tea and turmeric (golden) milkshake to refreshing smoothies and fruit shakes, you have numerous milk-based drinks with different rich flavors and recipes. 

We’ve always been told to consume a glass of milk each day since it’s packed with vital macronutrients that help us meet our daily nutritional needs. Also, milk has the right proportions of carbs, protein, and other nutrients with electrolyte and energy content which helps in maintaining hydration during summer. 

While some may prefer plain milk without any added flavors or recipes all year but some wish to consume delicious milk drinks of personal choice. In this article, let us explore different drinks of milk recipes to devour this summer.

Mango Mastani 

Legend says that Mango Mastani was named after the brave princess “Mastani” who captured the affection of Peshwa Bajirao, a powerful warrior who ruled from Pune, Maharashtra. This drink reportedly originated from Pune and has become popular all over India with time as a summer favorite drink. 

Now, mango Mastani can be made in different signature styles and recipes in favor of mango pulp, ice cream, milk, etc., You’ll be amazed by the quickness and simplicity with which the Mango Mastani can be prepared in a matter of minutes, despite being a rich and fulfilling dessert with an intense mango taste. Here’s our balanced recipe for mango Mastani to make one for your family and friends. 

Ingredients

Fresh mangoes: Banganapalli, also known as the Safeda mangoes are one of the sweetest and nutritious mangoes that grow in India. Traditionally, Alphonso mangoes are used to make this Mastani but we suggest you use Banganapalli as they help you to avoid adding additional sugar to the Mastani.  

Milk: Use fresh farm milk to get a rich creamy flavor with a better taste.

Vanilla ice cream: there are many flavored ice creams that go with the shake but adding vanilla ice cream gives the right complement to the mango flavors. You can also add mango ice cream in case you don’t like vanilla. 

Nuts: Pistachios are usually considered for the toppings but you can add the nuts of your choice such as almonds, cashews, tutti-frutti, and more. It also can be nut-free if you are allergic to nuts. 

Cherries: cherries are the optional topping that we would recommend as they are used in the original flavor of the Mango Mastani. After all, cherries are the one that makes the drink visually striking. 

Making: 

• First, add two mangoes to a blender or mixer jar. Use sweet and fresh mangoes if possible; otherwise, you might need to add sugar to make the dish sweeter.
• Add 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream and a good proportion of milk to the blender and blend until it becomes smooth and creamy. 
• Take a glass and add a scoop of ice cream with chopped mangoes. 
• Add the thick milkshake to the glass of ice cream and leave enough space for the toppings and another scoop of ice cream if you love. 
• Add all the nut toppings to the glass and if required add a piece of an ice cube before topping. 
• Finally, serve immediately your loved ones the instant Mango Masani. 

Storing 

It’s simple to prepare Mango Mastani in advance. Create the milkshake, then chill it for a few hours or perhaps a day. Pour the food into the cups, then top with the desired toppings to serve.

Strawberry Milkshake

A sweet and cool strawberry milkshake is the ideal summertime beverage. They are suitable as a light(er) dessert, an invigorating snack, or a healthy morning beverage. If you prefer the strawberry bits, blend it for a little shorter time and add more strawberries if you prefer it thicker. Of course, don’t forget to add some freshly whipped cream on top for better flavor. Also, add some cocoa powder to your milkshake if you are a chocolate lover of milkshakes. 

Ingredients 

• Frozen strawberries or fresh strawberries 
• Milk. Use the milk of your choice. If you are allergic to normal milk, you can make use of almond milk or coconut milk. Also, they give better flavor and thickness to the shake. 
• A teaspoon of vanilla extract or cocoa powder (preferably your favorite).
• ½ or 1 teaspoon of honey or sugar.

Making

• Rinse strawberries and pat dry under running water. Trim the stems, chop them into quarters, and add them to a blender. Use frozen strawberries if you’d rather have a cold shake. Now, add ¾ cup of your chosen milk and blend them until the strawberries are smooth. 
• Open the top and add a sweetener of your choice such as honey, sugar, or maple syrup. As mentioned before, add the cocoa powder if you want your milkshake to have a chocolate flavor, or add vanilla extract, if you love it. 
• Add the remaining milk and blend until all combined, smoothie and cream. Add a little milk if the shake is too thick or add some more strawberries if it’s too loose. 
• Finally, pour into glasses and garnish with fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

Lemonade milkshake 

A lemonade milkshake is one of our summer favorites. The recipe is so simple that you can make it at home any time you want. It consists of only the regular ingredients but when you sip it when it’s done, it’ll be delicious. It is also so light and refreshing, this shake is a classic. 

Ingredients 

• Milk of your choice. Although almond milk and coconut milk are generally considered to make this shake, using fresh and organic cow milk which has a rich flavor and full cream gives it a better taste.
• Half a cup of lemon juice or 100 grams
• 2-5 tablespoons of ice cream of your choice. (preferably, mixed fruit vanilla as it gives real fruit and ice cream flavor)
• Again a sweetener of your choice such as sugar, honey, or maple syrup

Note: It only takes 1/4 cup of syrup to slightly sweeten the lemon juice while reducing its acidity. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, feel free to add extra. Keep in mind that there is only 1/2 cup of lemon juice, therefore sweetness is required.

Making 

• Take a blender and add the lemon juice with enough milk and blend it for a minute.
• Now, add the sweetener of your choice and the required tablespoons of ice cream and blend until it gets smooth and thick. Add some ice cubes and sweetener if the shake is still sour and blend it once again. Be careful not to dilute the whole flavor with the ice.
• You are now ready to serve the shake in your glasses to sip and relax. 

Thandai 

Traditionally created for the Holi holiday, Thandai is a popular beverage in the North Indian regions of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. It is incredibly hydrating and rich in saffron, seeds, fragrant spices, dried fruits, nuts, and other delicious components. The word “Thandai,” which derives from the Hindi word “Thandai,” which means “cool” or “cold,” indicates that which is cooling or cools.

Thandai tastes creamy and nutty. It has a strong perfume and sweet flavors of rose, cardamom, and saffron combined with a few pungent bursts from the black pepper. It is also a popular drink for another celebrated Indian festival Maha Shvaratri.  

It’s really simple to prepare our Thandai recipe. The nuts need only be soaked, blended, and combined with milk or water. The Thandai paste can be prepared ahead of time for this recipe and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for one to two months. While making Thandai, simply mix the paste with milk to create a refreshing glass of the beverage.

Beyond its mouthwatering flavor, Thandai has several wonderful health advantages. Here are just a few of them.

• Boost Immunity
• Gives instant energy
• Cools down the body
• Aids digestion

Ingredients 

• 4 cups of milk of your choice
• ½ a cup of sweetener (sugar, honey, or maple syrup)
• ½ a cup of pistachios 
• ½ a cup of cashew nuts
• ½ a cup of almonds 
• 2 tablespoons of melon seeds
• 10 whole black peppercorns 
• ½ tablespoon of saffron 
• 8-10 cardamoms 
• 2 tablespoons of dry rose petals 
• 1 ½ tablespoons of poppy seeds 
• 1 small stick of cinnamon 
• 1 ½ tablespoons of fennel seeds
• 1 tablespoon of wark milk

Making

• Add whole almonds, whole cashew nuts, whole black peppercorns, raisins, whole green cardamoms, white poppy seeds (optional), fennel seeds, melon seeds and a pinch of saffron strands to a bowl. 
• Mix everything thoroughly in the bowl before adding 12 cups of water. The bowl should be covered with a lid and left on the counter for five to six hours or overnight.
• Blend the components that have been soaked in water along with any extra water to create a fine paste. If necessary, add a couple of tablespoons of milk while blending. While blending, scrape the sides of the blender a few times. Discard the paste aside.
• In a heavy bottom pan over medium heat, warm 4 cups of milk. To avoid burning at the pan’s bottom, stir often.
• Add the paste we previously created, 14 cups of granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of rose water to the boiling milk.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir frequently. Check for sugar, add more if required, and cook for another minute.
• After turning off the heat, let the mixture cool for ten minutes. To allow the flavors to meld, transfer the milk mixture to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator for 3–4 hours.
• In order to remove the pulp, the mixture must now be passed through a fine-mesh strainer, muslin cloth, or nut milk bag. 
• Serve the Thandai and garnish it with some saffron or chopped pistachios. 

Chocolate hazelnut milkshake 

A smooth mixture of chocolate, cocoa, and hazelnut flavors, the chocolate hazelnut milkshake is also one of the best summer drinks for you to have within minutes. 

Ingredients 

• 1 cup of cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons of hazelnut paste
• 1 cup of cream 
• 1 cup of milk
• Chocolate for garnish 
• Some nuts like hazelnut and other dry nuts 

Making 

• In a blender jar, combine the ice cream, hazelnut paste, milk, chopped hazelnuts, and cream and blend until smooth. 
• Pour the milkshake into individual glasses and top with chocolate and chopped hazelnuts to serve cold.

Milk beverages can be made in a variety of flavors and with different ingredients. You can creatively experiment with more seasonal fruits and toppings to keep your summers fun.

Drinking cold milk or various beverages of milk in summer is highly beneficial as milk has properties that cool the body from the inside during summer. It is also one of the best ways to keep yourself hydrated.