It’s hard to resist a glass of chilled and fizzy cola. But it surely cannot replace the good old freshness of the sweet and sour Kokum sherbet or the gut-friendly spicy and sour goodness of Jal jeera. Both these Indian classics offer an array of health benefits that none of the soft drinks in the market can.  

Now, with young adults grappling with complex health issues like obesity, diabetes and heart disease, incorporating such healthy alternatives that ensure our overall well-being, is a must.  

When we speak of health drinks, we often associate them with a bitter or bland taste that makes us want to throw up immediately after taking the first sip. However, health drinks prepared with the right combination of natural ingredients don’t just taste delectable but give you that extra punch of fitness.  

We got chefs as well as nutrition experts to share some easy healthy drink recipes for you to try at home. Gulping down a glass of a drink of your choice regularly will ensure a healthy weight and aid in digestion.   
  
Green Juice   

Ingredients
Cucumber - 30 gm
Celery - 30 gm
Avocado - 60 gm
Mint - 5 sprigs
Ginger and lemon juice - 30 gm
Water - 150 ml 

Method
1. Add cucumber, celery, avocado, mint, water, ginger and lemon juice in a high-speed blender. 
2. Blend all the ingredients for over 60 seconds. 
3. Pour the blended smoothie into a glass and relish.  
     
Recipe by Chef Ashish Deva, executive chef, Dharana at Shillim      
                                                                                            
Jamu Juice

Ingredients
Fresh turmeric - 5 gm
Fresh ginger - 2 gm
Black Pepper - 2 gm
Lemon juice - 10 ml
Honey - 20 ml
Coconut water - 50 ml                
Ice cube - 110 gm            

For toppings
Dehydrated orange wheel - 1
Coconut flakes – 4-5 strands
Flamed cinnamon stick - 1      
               
Method
1. Slice the turmeric and ginger into thin disks. Feel free to leave the skin on. 
2. Add the turmeric, ginger, black pepper, lemon juice, honey and coconut water into a blender. Blend on high speed for about a minute, until it forms a smooth mixture. 
3. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve, nut milk bag or muslin cloth. Serve chilled by adding ice cubes.  
4. For garnishing, you can use a dehydrated orange wheel, coconut flakes and flamed cinnamon stick.              
           
Recipe by Chef Ashish Deva, executive chef, Dharana at Shillim       
  
Refreshing Green Apple Mint  

Ingredients 
Green apples - 2 
Mint leaves - 1/2 cup  
Celery stalks - 3-4 
Cucumber (preferably green English) - 1 
Lemon juice -1-2 tbsp 
Ginger - 1 
Water if required - 1/2 cup