Summer coolers: Let's play it fruity cool

Yum fruit rockets, popsicles that spell a colourful romance or velvety yoghurt - take your pick of summer coolers.

A romance with all things lemony, a play with frozen delights and indulgence in the most sinful of ice-infused coolers - summer provides us with a big excuse to make that glass taller and cooler.

But, if you are bored of synthetic, too-sweet syrups and the same old nimbu-paani and sachet-ready mixes, go for easy to concoct summer coolers that also keep the calories away. From ice-lollies that are also quite the lookers to creamy yoghurt parfaits that will make for great summer desserts, take your pick.

Pop n' freeze
Rainbow-hued popsicles might remind you of post-school steals, but you can perk em' up and make them tailored for your taste buds. For a summer cocktail to make a hot evening cooler, slice your strawberries, kiwis and any other seasonal fruits that wouldn't get muddled. You could either drop them straight into your tube lolly moulds, or, put the halved berried through skewer-like holding sticks in the moulds. Now, add a fizzy, sparkling wine which has been mixed with water and sugar into these and freeze overnight. For a non-alcoholic version, replace the wine with water that has already been infused with mint, or opt for grapejuice or fresh apple juice for a more acidic, sweeter taste, finishing with a hint of vetiver essence.

Fruit rockets and a creamy escape
Adding a frozen fruit topper, elongated rockets that make for edible stirrers (made with fruit cubes drawn through skewers) is also a quick way to add fun to cooling drink. For a healthy, cooling desert to combat the heat, make a parfait in a wide-mouthed, tea length mould. Use strawberry yoghurt and top with berries, frozen granola and a hint of calming honey.

Add-ons that instantly cool
* Lemongrass: The citrusy smooth touch of lemongrass, which is also known to have medicinal properties can perk up your summer cooler. Iced tea infused with lemongrass can be your go to drink.
* Gulkand: A sweet concoction of sweet jaggery and preserved rose is known to be a natural coolant. Add just a little to your lassi for a cool, sweet dose.
* Khus khus: Vetiver essence is known to help create a quick sherbet which can make for a cooling serving, as soon as you head home after a long day under the sun.