Bajre Ki Raab, Milagu Rasam, & More: Warm Your Heart With India’s Toastiest Winter Brews

As the winter chill set in, my father would get his own cornflour from the miller and make 'makke di roti and sarson da saag'. This was a ritual he had picked up from his Punjabi roommate he shared a flat with. My grandma, on the other hand, taught him how to make a fiery hot garlic chutney native to Bundelkhand, Madhya Pradesh where her family came from. Before I moved out of the house these were the two dishes we would indulge in every winter without fail. Since he was the one who did most of our grocery shopping, he'd often bring home seasonal ingredients and make sure to tell me about them. According to him the best time to eat a vegetable was when it naturally cultivated on earth. Even though cooking is something I have only begun to take seriously, the stories around food and ingredients were fascinating to me as a child.

The medicinal ability of food has always been accessible in India through its indigenous knowledge systems. Their properties elaborately described in Ayurveda highlight how every ingredient responds to our digestive system and perform different functions to either heal or harm our body. The better the harmony between these foods, nature and our body, the healthier we are. Certain herbs, spices and grains are thus part of the winter food cycle in India that homegrown kitchens naturally gravitate towards, like my grandma's garlic chutney. These ingredients, adapted by different cuisines and cultures across India form elixirs that strengthen our immune system and keep us warm throughout the cold days. Here are some of them:

If you’ve ever dreamt of sipping something that feels like luxury in a cup, Kahwa is it. Straight from Kashmir’s snowy paradise, this golden-hued tea blends green tea leaves, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and that crown jewel of spices — saffron. Toss in some crushed almonds or walnuts, and you’re in for a nutty, spiced treat that’s as warming as it is indulgent. Fun fact: It’s traditionally brewed in a 'samovar', a brass kettle that’s as regal as this tea tastes. Rich in antioxidants, Kahwa not only keeps you warm and boosts your immune system but also helps with skin health for that winter glow. One sip, and you’ll understand why the Kashmiris swear by this to fight off their frosty winters. 

Imagine a drink that’s half comforting hug, half health tonic — that’s Bajre Ki Raab for you. Made with pearl millet flour, jaggery, ghee, and a sprinkle of spices, this recipe comes from rural Rajasthani and Gujarati kitchens and is slow-cooked until it transforms into a silky, nourishing drink. The smoky flavor (thanks to a hint of charcoal smoke) feels like a fireside chat on a winter evening. It’s a go-to in the harsh desert winters, giving warmth and immunity with every sip. And hey, Bajra (pearl millet) is a total superfood, packed with nutrients that fight the cold like a pro.

When it’s freezing in the Himalayas, the locals reach for Chhang, a home-brewed beer-like drink that warms you up from the inside out. Made with barley, millet, or rice grains, it’s fermented into a slightly sour, mildly alcoholic beverage. In winter, it’s served piping hot in wooden mugs.  It reputedly has many healing properties for conditions like the common cold, fevers, allergic rhinitis, and even alcoholism among others. Chhang is a way of life in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of Bhutan, where festivals and chilly evenings revolve around this mountain brew.

Gud Ki Chai or Jaggery tea is like a warm hug from your grandma — it’s sweet, nurturing, and always there when you need it. Replace refined sugar with jaggery in your chai, and you’ve got a drink that not only tastes better but also packs a health punch. Full of iron, magnesium, and potassium, this tea helps with digestion, boosts immunity, and gives you a cozy energy boost. It’s perfect for battling winter sniffles, and the earthy flavour of jaggery adds a whole new depth to your regular chai experience. 

This one’s a drink and a dessert rolled into one! Besan sheera is made by roasting gram flour in ghee until it smells nutty and golden, then simmering it with milk, jaggery, and warming spices like turmeric and cardamom. The result? A thick, creamy concoction that soothes sore throats and warms you to the core. Gram flour, or besan, is high in fiber, and contains vitamin B1. Its sheera is also believed to help with coughs and colds, sore throats, and blocked noses. Add a sprinkle of nuts on top for extra flavor and crunch. 

South India’s answer to winter blues is the Milagu Rasam, a tangy, peppery soup that doubles as a medicinal elixir. In a rasam, tamarind, black pepper, turmeric, and curry leaves team up to fight colds, boost digestion, and give your metabolism a kick. Bonus points for how it clears your sinuses and leaves you breathing easy. Rasam is usually poured over rice, but you can sip it as is for a steamy dose of warmth on a particularly chilly night.

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