Sharbats and Squashes

Tropical countries are the greatest consumers of soft drinks because of their climate. Ice-cold drinks are a necessity rather than a luxury during the hot weather. There are 2 main types of soft drinks available in India, namely, the sharbats and the squashes. The sharbats (extracts of herbs, petals of some flowers, bark of some trees, nuts or fruits incorporated into syrup) are age-old Indian preparations and are used not only as cooling drinks but also household remedies for minor ailments. These sharbats should not be confused with what the Americans call “sherbets” which are something similar to ice-creams. The squash, which is fresh fruit juice preserved in syrup, is a more recent introduction to the list of soft drinks used in India. The products ordinarily marketed probably contain very little fresh fruit juice and are quite expensive. Nevertheless squashes are exceedingly popular with well-to-do people. Home-made squash however brings the product within the reach of people of moderate means and at the same time ensures genuine ingredients.