This is a quick and easy summer drink to help you beat the heat. In Ayurveda, summer is Pitta season, so I love reaching for cooling herbs and simple, hydrating drinks when the weather starts to feel hot. Coriander is one of my favorite digestive herbs because it helps support digestion without adding excess heat, while basil adds a sweet and mildly pungent quality, and a squeeze of lime brightens the flavor and gently kindles agni. Lime, unlike lemon, has a sweet post-digestive effect and is less heating.
For a traditional Ayurvedic touch, sweeten this tea with a little mishri, or rock sugar. Classical Ayurvedic texts, including the Charaka Samhita, Bhavaprakasha, and Ashtanga Hridayam, describe cooling, sweetened drinks as part of summer and hot-weather care, with coriander and natural cane sugar, like Mishri (crystallized rock sugar), appearing in traditional preparations for thirst and heat. Sip it at room temperature or chilled for a refreshing way to stay cool and support comfortable digestion all summer long.
PREP: 2 minutes | COOK: 8-10 minutes | YIELD: 2 cups
Ingredients
2 cups water
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
4-5 sprigs fresh basil (sweet basil or Thai basil)
1-2 teaspoons lime juice
1-2 teaspoons rock sugar (mishri), coconut sugar or date sugar
Instructions
Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the coriander seeds, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer uncovered for 3 minutes.
Remove from the heat and add the basil. Cover and steep for 5 minutes. Strain into a pitcher or clean saucepan, discarding the coriander seeds and basil.
Stir in the sugar while the tea is still warm so it dissolves completely. Add the lime juice to taste. Serve warm, room temp, or refrigerate until chilled for the hottest days.
Cooking Notes
On Basil: While Tulsi holy basil is prized in many Ayurvedic recipes, it’s bit more heating and drying. Use a sweet basil or thai basil for more less heating herb in this summertime drink.
On Sugar: Natural cane sugar or palm sugar (coconut sugar) is a great way to cool the body down and rehydrate in the hot summer months. Avoid honey as it’s heating and shouldn’t be dissolved in hot water.
Dosha Notes
V: Enjoy room temp
P: Enjoy room temp or cool
K: Reduce or omit sugar
Nutrition
(Per serving)
Calories: 10–15 kcal
Protein: 0.3–0.5 g
Fat: 0.1–0.2 g
Carbs: 2–3 g
Sugar: 2–3 g
Fiber: 0.5–1 g
Shop Kitchen Essentials
Coriander Seed
Rock Sugar (Mishri)
