Summer vacations — the two words have the power to evoke two interestingly distinct reactions in almost every household. While children brim with excitement finding ways to make the most of their freedom, away from the shackles of the daily routine of their school; parents, on the other hand, are replete with anxiety and concern towards their children’s safety and health in the blazing heat.

Trust us, children are least expected to keep themselves hydrated. So let them make the most of their holiday while you prepare some healthy and fun summer drinks to keep them hydrated without much ado. Neeti Sarin, Founder, Tiffin’s Etc, recommends the following recipes for summer drinks that will keep them healthy these vacations.

Aam Panna: It is a wonderful summer drink made of raw mangoes. It can be sweetened with either jaggery, or sugarcane juice to give it a healthy touch. What makes this drink an incredible summer drink is that apart from being a digestion-friendly beverage, raw mangoes are a rich source of Vitamin C and jaggery is a great source of iron.

Nimbu Paani (Lemonade): is the world’s most tried and tested drink for generations. Easy to make as it hardly requires many ingredients. With lemons being a rich source of Vitamin C, the drink is refreshing, hydrating and gives instant energy. In our households, just because lemonade is such a big hit, try and keep crushed sugar (pre-crushed in a mixer grinder) handy. This helps in reducing the preparation time.

Cucumber Lemon Water: is a fun remixed version of a regular glass of water. Just slice the cucumbers and one lemon into thin slices and add a bit of mint in a jar of water for a flavored drink. All the ingredients work together to keep your child’s body and mind cool as well as remarkable refreshing.

Smoothies: are an interesting variant of the plain old boring milk.  Add it to breakfasts or in place of snacks during the evening. They are packed with nutrients, proteins, vitamins, and antioxidants to help ensure your child kick-starts its day in full vigor. Simply, choose your favorite fruit, some yogurt and maybe some oatmeal – there is no wrong way to make them.

Buttermilk (chaas) is an all-weather drink that aids in digestion. Tempting and totally inexpensive, this savory is easy to make with ingredients that can be easily found at home.

It is particularly important to make sure that kids whether or not active, are getting their daily intake of water in some way or the other. Relax and enjoy your summer as these refreshing recipes keep your child happy and healthy with its diverse benefits.