Local Drinks

1. चाय

   Chāy

   Chai (Indian milk tea)

   Usage

   In India chai means tea leaves boiled together with milk and sugar — sweet by default. If you want it plain you have to say so

2. मसाला चाय

   Masālā chāy

   Masala chai (spiced milk tea)

   Usage

   Chai brewed with cardamom, ginger, cinnamon or cloves. At stalls it is often just called chai

3. लस्सी

   Lassī

   Lassi (yoghurt drink)

   Usage

   A churned yoghurt drink from North India and Punjab. Comes sweet (meethi) or salted (namkeen) — specify when ordering

4. छाछ

   Chhāchh

   Chaas (buttermilk)

   Usage

   Yoghurt thinned with water and seasoned with salt and cumin. Unsweetened, good for the heat. Also called mattha

5. शिकंजी

   Shikanjī

   Shikanji (Indian lemonade)

   Usage

   A North Indian summer drink of lime juice with sugar, salt and cumin. The plainer name nimbu pani (lemon water) is also used

6. ठंडाई

   Ṭhaṇḍāī

   Thandai (spiced almond milk)

   Usage

   A cold drink of milk blended with almonds and spices. ⚠ During Holi a version spiked with bhang (cannabis) circulates. Plain thandai is non-intoxicating — around the festival always ask whether bhang has been added

7. फालूदा

   Fālūdā

   Falooda

   Usage

   A cold dessert drink layering rose syrup, vermicelli, basil seeds and milk, often topped with ice cream

8. गन्ने का रस

   Ganne kā ras

   Sugarcane juice

   Usage

   Pressed to order at roadside machines, usually with lime and black salt. ⚠ The ice may be made from tap water — ask for it without ice if you are cautious

9. नारियल पानी

   Nāriyal pānī

   Coconut water

   Usage

   Drunk with a straw from a green coconut opened on the spot. Sealed in its own shell, so one of the safer street drinks

10. आम पन्ना

    Ām pannā

    Aam panna (raw mango drink)

    Usage

    Roasted raw mango dissolved in water with black salt, roasted cumin, sugar or jaggery and mint. Drunk in summer to ward off heatstroke

11. जलजीरा

    Jaljīrā

    Jaljeera (cumin cooler)

    Usage

    Literally "water plus cumin". A savoury, tangy pre-meal drink — not sweet

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