As the scorching Indian summer peaks, the craving for something cold and refreshing becomes almost inevitable. While ice cream is often the go-to option, there are numerous other cold desserts that not only provide a delightful escape from the heat but also offer unique flavours and textures.
Here are some cold desserts you can savour this summer, bringing variety and excitement to your palate.
Kulfi
Kulfi, often referred to as traditional Indian ice cream, is a rich and creamy dessert that’s perfect for beating the heat. Made with milk, sugar, and a variety of flavours such as mango, pistachio, and cardamom, kulfi has a denser texture compared to ice cream. Its preparation involves slow-cooking the milk to reduce it, resulting in a more intense flavour. Served on sticks or in clay pots (matkas), kulfi is a nostalgic treat that’s hard to resist.
Falooda
Falooda is a delightful layered dessert that combines various textures and flavours into a single refreshing experience. This cold dessert consists of vermicelli, basil seeds, rose syrup, and sweetened milk, often topped with a scoop of kulfi or ice cream. Adding chopped nuts, fresh fruits, and a touch of jelly enhances its appeal, making falooda a perfect summer indulgence.
Shrikhand
Shrikhand is a creamy and luscious dessert made from strained yoghurt, sweetened with sugar, and flavoured with cardamom and saffron. Often garnished with slivers of almonds and pistachios, shrikhand is served chilled and is particularly popular in Gujarat and Maharashtra. It’s a light and refreshing option that’s both nutritious and satisfying.
Aamras
Aamras is a seasonal favourite made from ripe mango pulp, blended with a touch of sugar and cardamom. This vibrant, sweet, and silky dessert is typically enjoyed chilled and can be served with puris or just as it is. The natural sweetness of mangoes makes aamras a delightful way to cool down during the hot summer days.
Chuski (Ice Gola)
Chuski, or ice gola, is a popular street food that brings back childhood memories for many. Crushed ice is shaped into a ball and served on a stick, then drenched in colourful flavoured syrups like kala khatta, rose, and orange. Chuski is not only refreshing but also a fun and interactive way to enjoy a cold treat.
Fruit custard
Fruit custard is a simple yet delightful dessert that combines the goodness of fresh fruits with a creamy custard base. Chilled custard mixed with seasonal fruits like bananas, apples, grapes, and pomegranates makes for a refreshing and nutritious treat. It’s easy to prepare and a great way to enjoy a variety of fruits in a single dish.
Phirni
Phirni is a traditional North Indian dessert made from ground rice cooked with milk, and sugar, and flavoured with cardamom and saffron. Served chilled in earthen pots, phirni has a smooth and creamy texture that melts in your mouth. Topped with chopped nuts and silver leaf, it’s a luxurious dessert that’s perfect for summer.
Sabudana kheer
Sabudana kheer, made from tapioca pearls, milk, and sugar, is a light and refreshing dessert often enjoyed during fasting periods. The pearls give a unique texture to the kheer, and when served chilled, it becomes a perfect summer treat.
