As foggy mornings take over our routine, a natural craving for a warm, comforting drink lingers in the air. While coffee is a go-to drink to counter the biting cold, desi drinks with their nutritional benefits elevate the winter drinks game to the next level. Healthy and tasty, take a look at five desi winter drinks that give coffee a run for its money.
1. Bajra Raab
A regular drink in Rajasthani households, bajra raab is a warm, mildly sweet drink made from pearl millet flour (bajra), ghee, jaggery, and spices like ajwain or black pepper. Traditionally prepared during harsh winters, it helps build immunity and provides sustained energy.
Health benefits: Bajra, rich in iron and magnesium, helps keep the body warm and combat fatigue. The addition of ghee makes it even more nourishing.
2. Gur Ki Chai
Replace your regular sugar-laden chai with gur ki chai — a fragrant tea sweetened with jaggery instead of sugar. The jaggery not only enhances flavour but also acts as a natural detoxifier and digestive aid.
Health benefits: Jaggery’s iron content helps improve haemoglobin levels, while its warming nature balances winter sluggishness. A kind of drink that warms both the hands and the heart.
3. Shakarkandi Milk
The shakarkandi (sweet potato) and milk blend offers the satisfying sweetness of boiled sweet potatoes with the richness of milk. Add a dash of cardamom to enhance its flavour.
Health benefits: The high fibre and complex carbs in shakarkandi release energy slowly, keeping you full and warm. This drink doubles up as a light dessert — perfect for those late-night cravings when you want something indulgent yet nourishing.
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Check out the health benefits of desi winter drinks (Photo: Freepik)
4. Ragi Hot Chocolate
The ragi hot chocolate is a healthier cousin of the cafe-style cocoa drink. Made with ragi flour (finger millet), cocoa powder, milk, and a blend of honey or jaggery, it’s both comforting and nutrient-rich.
Health benefits: It’s packed with calcium, iron, and amino acids, making it excellent for bone health and metabolism.
5. Kashmiri Kahwa
This traditional green tea is brewed using saffron strands, cinnamon, cardamom, and crushed almonds.
Health benefits: The kahwa helps improve digestion, relieve stress, and boost immunity. The kind of drink you sip slowly on a chilly winter morning. The warmth from the spices offers a perfectly balanced rejuvenation ritual.
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