Sticky fingers, sweet memories: Recreating summer classics at home

When the summer sun becomes relentless and stepping out feels like a task, many are turning inward — into their kitchens, their memories, and their childhoods. The clink of ice, the fizz of soda, the slow drip of syrup down crushed ice, classic treats like goli soda, ice candy or ice gola and kulfi are no longer just street-side indulgences. They’re becoming the centrepiece of easy, joyful weekend plans at home. What was once bought for a few rupees from a roadside cart on a summer afternoon is now being recreated in apartments, terraces and shared kitchens with temperatures soaring each day.

DIY your way into childhood

There’s something deeply satisfying about making your own gola or kulfi, not just for the taste, but for the experience. The process is tactile, slightly messy, and surprisingly calming. For Vinuthna Krishna, a public policy officer, summer weekends now are all about making treats for her nephew. “Growing up, my sister and I would buy ice candies from street carts, and on some days, we’d experiment by making them ourselves with whatever ingredients we had at home. We don’t find those kinds of carts anymore, so now we recreate them at home with my nephew — so he can relive our childhood, and we get a chance to spend time together as well.”

‘A satisfying memory’

“The fizz of summer lies in a glass of masala soda,” says Kishan K. “Growing up, we didn’t think much of it—it was just something you grabbed to beat the heat. Now, making it at home with my younger cousins has become a weekend ritual. Mixing the lime, salt, masala and soda, getting the balance right, it’s oddly satisfying and brings back memories of those quick roadside breaks,” he adds.

How to make an ice gola at home:

What you need:
l Crushed ice
l Rooh Afza syrup / kala khatta syrup / any fruit squash
l Lemon juice
l Chaat masala or black salt
How to make:
l Pack crushed ice tightly into a glass or shape into a ball on a stick
l Pour syrup generously over it
l Add a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of chaat masala
l Let it drip, melt, and enjoy the chaos
Pro tip: Freeze coloured syrups into ice cubes for a layered gola effect

Recipe from Shifa Fathima, homemaker

A quick-fix recipe for the Watermelon Mint Cooler:

What you need:
l 2 cups fresh watermelon (seedless, cubed)
l Fresh mint leaves
l Juice of 1 lemon
l Black salt or a pinch of chaat masala
l Sugar or honey (optional)
l Ice cubes
How to make:
l Blend the watermelon cubes into a smooth juice
l Strain if you prefer it smoother (optional)
l Add lemon juice, mint leaves, and a pinch of black salt
l Stir well (or lightly blend again)
l Pour over ice and serve chilled
Pro tip: Freeze watermelon cubes beforehand and blend for a slushy version Upgrade it: Add a splash of sparkling water for a fizzy twist or a hint of ginger for extra zing

Recipe from Hebbar’s Kitchen

The three-ingredient instant Kulfi:

What you need:
l Condensed milk l Fresh cream
l Cardamom powder
How to make:
l Mix all ingredients until smooth
l Pour into moulds or small cups
l Freeze overnight (or at least 6–8 hours)
l Garnish with nuts if you like
Upgrade it: Add mango pulp, saffron, or crushed biscuits

Recipe from Pankaj Bhadouria

Put together your own Masala Soda Fix:

What you need:
l Chilled sparkling water / soda
l Fresh lime juice
l Black salt l Sugar (optional)
l Crushed mint leaves
How to make:
l Mix lime juice, salt, and a pinch of sugar in a glass
l Add mint and lightly crush
l Pour sparkling water over it
l Stir gently and serve immediately
Twist it: Add jaljeera powder or experiment with fruit juices

Recipe from Sanjeev Kapoor



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