11 Refreshing Drinks and Beverages of Odisha

Odisha is a subtropical state and the summertime in Odisha is generally Tidy and Unpleasant. When there is a rise in temperature, people get really uncomfortable. But you know what makes them relax in this hot and tidy time? It is the traditional drinks and beverages that has been a part of Odisha’s crusine since many centuries.

Not only temples, heritage and divine culture but, Odisha is also widely known for its relaxing drinks and beverages those were not only tasty and lip smacking but are also very healthy and nutritious as they are prepared through the pure gifts of mother nature like fruit pulps, milk, mishri, etc. These drinks really act as a coolant for many people whenever they feel thirsty or dehydrated. The most amazing fact is that these drinks can be prepared very easily at home using atmost 3-4 ingridients.

In this article I will be sharing with you top 11 famous drinks and beverages in Odisha which can provide your body ultimate pleasure it needs or I must say it craves for in the summers. So what are we waiting for ? Lets go !!

Also check :: 10 Recipes that Bring the State of Odisha to Your Plate

1. Amba Pana

It can be prepared by mixing up raw mangoes, fresh mint, sugar, salt, roasted cumin powder and black pepper. This is used by majority of people Of Odisha. Ripe mangoes are also an important agent used to mixed with milk or yogurt. This drink is specially prepared at the time of Dola Yatra or Holi when small processions of devotees move from house to house carrying Radhakrishna idols. To them Amba Pana is offered as a prasad.

2. Bela Pana

Along with mango, Summer also brings an incredible fruit “Bela” or the wooden apple. Inside Bela pulp, it is a good flavoring agent for a cool drink when mixed with grated coconut, chenna (cottage cheese) and black pepper. Having numerous health benefits, it acts a cure to people suffering from hyperacidity, dyspepsia and gastritis usually take it. Bela pana is usually drunk around Pana Sankranti or Odia New Year and also offered to Lord Jagannath as Prasad or summer juice.

3. Palua Pana

Made from palua (better known as arrowroot), this drink is prepared mixed with yogurt and sugar and flavored by cardamom which actually acts a game changer in for the aroma. Palua Pana is one of the popular refreshing drinks of southern Odisha. It is mostly used with bananas or grated coconut. Talking about its benefits, it is said to help with upset stomachs and cools down the body during summer.

4. Odia Lassi

The base ingredients of Odia lassi are Yogurt, Sugar and Ice Cubes. Odia lassi is a regional summer delicacy of North Indian drink by topping it with grated coconut, cashew nuts, sweetened condensed milk (rabidi), cherries and yogurt which takes the taste to an extremely delicious level you can’t forget.

5. Khajuri Mishri Sharbat

This drink is the best example of a tasty and healthy drink that is often prepared in almost all the Odia families. Khajuri or crystallized palm sugar is mixed with limewater and served. It makes your body supercool when your body would be feeling excess heat. Sabza seeds and ice cubes are often used to garnish the drink. Date palm sugar is good for diabetic patients and helps control blood pressure.

6. Nimbu Sharbat

It is very refreshing drink which provides us instant energy. It is usually stored in red pots in the Odia families to keep it cool. Lemon mixed with ginger powder, coriander leaves, chili powder, garam masala and salt. These ingredients when mixed with the lime water acts as a magic to the taste. You must have it on a regular basis while summers.

7. Pudina Sharbat

Talking about how it’s made, fresh mint leaves, ginger, green chili, water, salt, and lemon are the ingredients required for this cool drink and later you can also add ice cubes. It is one of the best soothing and refreshment drink. This drink is so tasty that it can recharge your mood within a fraction of seconds and make you feel delightful.

8. Jaljeera Sharbat

This drink can also be categorized as a shikanji. The basic indigents required to make it are lemon, jal jeera, black salt, pepper, water, and ice. It is mostly served during the hot summers on the streets of Odisha. You can easily prepare it at home and store it in red pots to keep it cool.

9. Adhara Pana

Adhara pana is a spiced drink of milk and jaggery which is offered to the Trinity of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra on the return from the Ratha Yatra. This Lord’s favourite drink is served to the deities in earthen pots big enough to reach their lips. The word ‘adhara’ means lips and ‘pana’ means cold drinks. This drink has a lot of healthy spices like ginger, nutmeg, edible camphor, black pepper, cardamom, cloves etc. and has fruits like apples, grapes, grated coconut, bananas, ripe mangos and oranges in it.

10. Thandai

It is a common drink for the people in the North-eastern and North-western states. It is prepared by stirring fiber seeds, rose petals, saffron, milk, and sugar and brings out an amazing lip-smacking taste no one can ever forget. It is mostly served on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri and Holi.

11. Tanka Torani

It is the famous Tanka Torani which is really a pride of Odisha. This refreshing drink is widely sold at the Jagannath temple in Puri. It is made by adding rice water to yogurt and topping it with green chilies, curry leaves and orange/ lemon leaves. Generally, it is consumed after taking of any food. You will get some stalls where people will offer you this magical drink free of cost. But currently it is banned in puri temple.

So that was all about the top 11 famous drinks and beverages of Odisha you must try if you want to serve your body with ultimate cool and pleasure. During summers, our body frequently gets dehydrated but with these amazing drinks, not only your body but also your mind will thank you. So have fun with these tasty and healthy drinks and we will be more than happy if you share your experience down in the comment section.