Jamu juice to fig honey smoothie: Salivating healthy drink recipes to make at home for that extra dose of fitness

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

For toppings
A few slices of cucumber and lemon

Method
1. Core and chop apples.
2. Cut celery lengthwise and then chop into small pieces.
3. Follow the same for cucumber.
4. Peel and chop some ginger.
5. Blend together and strain. To facilitate blending use little water.
6. Pour the juice into a glass and top it with a cucumber and lemon slices. Relish.

Recipe by Anagha Ramakant Desai, home chef, Aaji's Kitchen

Oats Smoothie

Ingredients
Rolled oats - 4 tsp
Seedless dates 2 - 4
Roasted flax seeds - 1 tsp
Apple - 1/2
Cinnamon powder - 1/4 tsp
Water as required

For toppings
Chia seeds - 1 tbsp
Finely chopped apple - 1 tsp

Method
1. Soak oats in water for 15 minutes. Strain and wash with water twice.
2. Soak chia seeds in water for 10 minutes and strain.
3. Chop dates. Core and chop apples.
4. Put all the ingredients except for chia seeds in a blender and grind well using water to get the desired consistency.
5. Once well blended, pour in a glass. Top it up with soaked chia seeds and apple pieces.

Recipe by Anagha Ramakant Desai, home chef, Aaji's Kitchen

Mix Fruit Shake

Ingredients
Chopped papaya - 3/4 cup
Banana - 1
Honey - 1 tbsp
Milk - 150 ml
Orange juice - 150 ml
Plain Greek yoghurt /curds - 4 tbsp

For toppings
Chopped papaya
Pomegranate arils

Method
1. All the ingredients have to be very cold.
2. Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend till smooth.
3. Garnish with chopped papaya and pomegranate arils.

Recipe by Anagha Ramakant Desai, home chef, Aaji's Kitchen

Fig Honey Smoothie

Ingredients
Figs - 4
Milk - 300 ml
Curds (not sour) - 100ml
Honey - 3-4 tbsp
Ice cubes - 3-4

For toppings
Fig slice

Method
1. Remove the tops of the figs and cut them into four pieces.
2. Put all the ingredients in the blender and blend till smooth.
3. Pour the drink into a glass, top it up with a fig slice and serve.

Tomato Celery Juice

Ingredients
Tomato - 3-4
Mint leaves - 2 tbsp
Celery stalk - 1
Ginger - 1/2
Roasted cumin powder - 1/2 tsp
Water as required

For topping
Mint leaves

Method
1. Core and chop tomatoes.
2. Peel and chop celery stalk.
3 Peel and slice ginger.
4. Put all the ingredients in a blender. Use water as required to blend.
5. Serve chilled by topping it with a few mint leaves.

Recipe by Anagha Ramakant Desai, home-chef, Aaji's Kitchen

Healthy Spinach Drink

Ingredients
Chopped spinach - 1 cup
Lime juice - 1/2 tsp
Chopped pineapple - 4 tbsp
Black salt - 1/2 tsp
Water - 1/2 cup

For garnish
Chopped pineapple

Method
1. In a mixer add the ingredients and process.
2. Sieve the mixture.
3. Garnish with chopped pineapple.
4. Serve immediately.

Recipe by Renu Dalal, celebrity chef, and daughter of the late Tarla Dalal

Also Read: Delightful and nutritious smoothie recipes to satisfy your taste buds

Banana and Orange Smoothie

Ingredients:
Medium-sized chopped banana - 1
Peeled and deseeded oranges - 1/2 cup
Yoghurt - 4 tbsp
Honey - 1 tbsp
Ice cubes - 3
For garnish
Peeled and chopped oranges - 1 tbsp
Thinly sliced bananas - 2 slices

Method
1. In a mixer blend all the items together.
3. Pour the drink into a glass. Garnish with chopped oranges and bananas. Serve chilled.

Recipe by Renu Dalal, celebrity chef, and daughter of the late Tarla Dalal

Beetroot, Apple, Carrot, Celery Cold Press Juice
Ingredients
Small beetroot - 1
Large apple - 3
Large carrots - 2
Large sticks of celery - 2
Lemon - 1
Ice cubes

For garnishing
Mint leaves - 3

Method
1. Cut all the fruits and vegetables roughly into diced shapes
2. Start putting ingredients slowly one by one into a juicer/blender
3. Strain and transfer it into a glass. Add ice if you wish to and garnish it with three mint leaves

Recipe by Subhash Shirke, executive chef, The Pantry

Probiotic Power Smoothie
Ingredients
Yoghurt (Greek yoghurt or a dairy-free alternative) - 1 cup
Kefir - 1/2 cup
Mixed berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries) - 1/2 cup
Chia seeds - 1 tbsp
Honey - 1 tbsp
Ice cubes (optional)

Method
1. Blend yoghurt, kefir, mixed berries, chia seeds, and honey until smooth.
2. If you like your consistency thicker and colder, add some ice cubes.
3. Pour into a glass and savour the goodness.

Recipe by Dr Archana Batra, nutritionist, physiotherapist, and certified diabetes educator

These healthy drinks are a game changer since each of them offers multiple health benefits. These enriching drinks will help manage weight, keep the gut clean and also aid in complete body detoxification. If you wish to give these recipes a try, remember to be consistent to yield the desired results.

Disclaimer: This information does not replace professional medical advice. Consult a qualified specialist or your physician for personalised guidance.