Indian Beverages

Tea is a staple beverage in India. The finest varieties are grown in Darjeeling and Assam. The tea is generally prepared as masala chai. It consists to boil the tea leaves in a mix of water, spices such as cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, or ginger, and large quantities of milk. The aim is to create a thick, sweet, and milky concoction.

Another popular beverage is coffee which is largely served in South India. There are other beverages like nimbu pani (lemonade), badam doodh (almond milk with nuts and cardamom), and coconut water for example.

India also has many alcoholic beverages, such as palm wine, fenny and Indian beer. There is too bhang, which is prepared using cannabis and typically consumed in North India during Holi and Vaisakhi, that are typical Hindu celebrations.

Although these beverages are popular in India, people often prefer to drink water with their food because it doesn’t overshadow the taste of the food. It is also customary to offer drinking water to guests before serving any hot or cold drink.