Watermelon Cooler with Basil Seeds and Gond Katira, The Ultimate Hydrating Summer Drink. It is refreshing, naturally hydrating, and packed with cooling ingredients.

Made with juicy watermelon, tender basil seeds (sabja seeds), cooling gond katira (tragacanth gum), coconut water, fresh mint, kala namak, and chaat masala, this easy summer cooler is not only delicious but also loaded with nutrients that help keep your body cool and hydrated.

Why You'll Love This Watermelon Cooler

Naturally sweet and refreshing
Rich in electrolytes from coconut water
Cooling ingredients perfect for summer
Easy to prepare in under 10 minutes
No refined sugar needed
Packed with antioxidants and hydration
Great for hot weather, outdoor parties, and post-workout recovery

What is Gond Katira?

Gond Katira, also known as Tragacanth Gum, is a natural edible gum widely used in Indian summer beverages. Once soaked, it expands into a jelly-like texture that helps cool the body from within.

Traditionally, gond katira is consumed during the summer months to:

Prevent heat exhaustion
Support hydration
Promote digestive health
Provide natural cooling effects

Its mild flavor makes it perfect for drinks, falooda, sherbets, and summer coolers.

Benefits of Basil Seeds (Sabja Seeds)

Basil seeds are tiny black seeds that swell when soaked in water. They are commonly used in Indian drinks and desserts.

Benefits include:

High in fiber
Supports digestion
Helps maintain hydration
Provides a cooling effect
Rich in antioxidants
May help promote fullness

Combined with watermelon and coconut water, basil seeds create a refreshing drink that's both satisfying and nourishing.

Ingredients or the Watermelon Cooler

Juicy sweet watermelon - There are various different ways you can pick sweet juicy water melons. Here is a great article by Serious Eats that explains it in detail.

Gond Katira - Aso known as Tragacanth Gum, is a natural edible gum widely used in Indian summer beverages. It helps to cool your body and promotes digestive health.

Basil seeds - Can easily be confused with chia seeds. These are high in fiber, supports digestive system and provides a cooling effect.

Kala Namak - A pinch of salt helps to enhance the sweetness of the watermelon. You can either use the regular salt or use black salt (kala namak). Kala namak has a distinctive savory, sulfurous flavor. It adds Umami depth and a slightly smoky flavor.

Chaat Masala - Chaat masala is a tangy, savory Indian spice blend that instantly adds a burst of flavor to fruits, snacks, salads, and drinks.

Fresh Mint Leaves - Watermelon and mint leaves always works together beautifully. In both drinks and salad.

Coconut water - You can make this watermelon cooler with water too but during peak summer days I prefer coconut water.

Watermelon Cooler

Kankana Saxena

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Servings

Ingredients

4 cups of cubed seedless watermelon
2 jalapenos (slit in half and seeds removed)
½ cup chopped fresh mint leaves
1 cup sugar
juice of 1 lime
zest of 2 limes
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Using a blender, process the watermelon cubes until they are smooth.
Add jalapeno to it and leave it aside for about 30 to 40 minutes.
In the meantime, make the mint and lime syrup.
Add 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, zest of 2 limes and mint leaves to a pan.
Bring to a boil and keep stirring until sugar has dissolved. This will take about 2 minutes.
Keep it aside and let it cool.
After 30 minutes, strain the watermelon mixture through a sieve into a pitcher. Discard the jalapenos.
Strain the syrup into the pitcher and add the lime juice to it.
Finally add salt and stir it well.
Serve it cold.