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Copyright © 2025 Foodies Only
9 min
03/03/2026
During Ramadan, there’s a hydration paradox: you’ve gone 12–14 hours without drinking water, yet your body is crying out for it. You could reach for refined sugar drinks or a can of soda. But it’s time to break your fast with options that truly understand your body’s needs, such as the mineral-rich depths of kokum, natural electrolyte-rich coconut water and the cooling power of sabja.
For a long time, iftar tables were filled with artificial sherbets, sugary sodas and vibrant pink rose syrup, quick cures after a day of fasting, but infamous for triggering insulin spikes, dehydration and energy crashes. This change is happening; people are starting to re-evaluate what it means to properly hydrate and nourish themselves after sunset. In addition to reducing dehydration, Hydration 2.0 helps maintain electrolyte balance, energy levels and digestive health during extended fasts.
To maintain a healthy fluid balance, particularly during the lengthy Ramadan fast, ingredients such as sabja (basil seeds), coconut water and kokum are becoming more important. Let’s dissect these natural drinks further.
For Ramadan 2026, skip drinks loaded with refined sugar and choose iftar beverages that will keep you refreshed without the sugar roller coaster. Check out these three must-have drinks:
Sabja seeds, which have a long history of use in sherbets and Indian faloodas, are now enjoying some much-deserved fame. These little seeds have a gel-like coating that expands when soaked in water; they provide a cooling and calming effect, as well as some fibre. For rehydration during iftar or suhoor, try sabja seeds.
To use them, try mixing a spoonful of soaked sabja seeds with coconut water, lemon juice or a refreshing fruit cooler. They’re mineral-rich, decrease sugar absorption and help maintain fluid balance.
Coconut water is a great alternative to artificially coloured sugar drinks, as it is low in sugar and high in potassium and magnesium, both of which are good for your digestive system. On an empty stomach, it’s easy to digest; it immediately restores lost fluids, and its slight sweetness helps control cravings. The true benefit of coconut water? Typical Ramadan beverages made with refined sugar may cause gas or a sugar crash, but this one hydrates without those problems. Garnish with a lime wedge and a dash of Himalayan Pink Salt before serving. For a tropical spin, you can also mix it with mint and pineapple.
Many Indian summer cocktails include kokum, a sour fruit native to the western regions. In addition to its cooling effects, kokum is rich in digestive-friendly natural acids, vitamin C and antioxidants. Kokum sharbat, sweetened with no additional sugar, is perfect for breaking a fast after a hot, dry day, as it gently rehydrates and has a distinctively tangy flavour.
To make a kokum drink, soak the dried kokum in water, drain it, and combine it with salt, cumin and, if desired, jaggery or coconut sugar for additional sweetness.
During Ramadan, it’s quite tempting to “chug” water as soon as the sun goes down. But if you drink a lot of water too quickly, you could experience “water intoxication” or simply pass the fluid through your system too quickly. So, what’s the right way? After a 12-hour fast, break your fast with a date and a few slow sips of coconut water flavoured with sabja. This will stimulate your digestive enzymes without putting too much strain on your kidneys.
Also, say no to ice-cold beverages. The digestive system works better with fluids that are at room temperature or slightly chilled so as not to shock the internal organs.
Hydration 2.0 is more than simply switching your drink of choice during Ramadan; it’s about redefining how we nourish the body during a fast. Drink fewer sugary beverages like rose sorbet and lassi, and more natural electrolytes like coconut water, to help your body maintain its natural rhythms and energy levels. Kokum, sabja and coconut water are not just trends; rather, they are traditional remedies that have recently been rediscovered for their health benefits.
In the spirit of breaking the fast, let us embrace a new sort of refreshment this Ramadan, one that continues to care for you even after you’ve finished drinking it.
