Sweet Basil Seed Drink is a super refreshing summer drink made with soaked sabja seeds/ basil seeds, lemon juice, sugar, and chilled water. It’s light, naturally cooling, and perfect for hot days when you need something simple and hydrating. The sabja seeds swell up like pearls when soaked. This summer drink is also known as sabja lemonade, basil seed cooler, or Indian detox drink. It is good for digestion and body heat. It is perfect for summer , hot days or we can give this as a welcome drink while you hosting a party.
Sweet Basil Seed Drink
I always thought basil seeds / sabja seeds as a falooda seed. But couldn't find it in my super markets. Months back when I went to chennai and got a chance to visit the nuts and spices shop, I was so thrilled to see that seed there. I immediately bought a packet. So researched a lot about this seeds and getting aware of their medicinal properties, Now I am using that in most of my drinks and loving it. I am yet to try the famous royal falooda recipe.
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About Sweet Basil Seed Drink (Sabja Juice)
While sipping a glass of sweet basil seed drink it instantly gives you a calming and refreshing feel. It’s one of those old-school homemade coolers that feels like a mini reset on a hot and tiring day.
I remember my mom making it during summer when guests arrives home. It has no soda, no artificial syrups, just lemon, sugar, water, and those tiny sabja seeds which magically puff up.
This simple drink cools your body, lifts your mood, and leaves you feeling light. By just soaking, stirring, pouring it’s ready.
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Why this recipe work?
Sabja seeds coolant naturally: The moment they bloom, they give your body that instant cooling effect. Perfect for summer and exhausting days.
Easy making: You can make it when guests suddenly show up or when you're too lazy to make anything else. It’s quick and feels fancy without effort.
Why I love this recipe - There’s a bit of nostalgia in it. This is the kind of drink moms or grandmas used to make without any machines or bottles. Just soak, stir, and sip. It is perfect when I’m tired or don’t feel like doing much. On hot afternoons when everything feels slow and tired, this drink feels like a splash of shade in a glass.
Good for digestion: After a heavy meal or spicy food, this drink helps settle your tummy. We feel lighter without even trying.
Fresh kick: It adds just the right tang to wake you up and refresh your senses.
Ingredients
Cold Water: This is the base of the drink. Just chilled water that makes everything feel instantly refreshing on a hot day.
Lemon Juice: It brings that bright, zesty kick. It cuts through the sweetness and gives the drink that perfect tangy twist.
Sugar: Use it a bit for a mild taste, or more if you’ve got a sweet tooth.
Sabja Seeds / Basil Seeds: When soaked, they turn into little jelly bubbles that cool your body and make the drink feel extra special and soothing.
Hacks
Soak sabja seeds ahead of time: Soak the seeds and keep them in the fridge. They stay good for a day or two. It saves you that waiting time when you're thirsty.
Switch up the liquid: Use coconut water, rose water, or even a splash of orange juice for a different flavour instead of plain water.
Chill everything before mixing: If your lemon juice, sugar syrup, and water are already cold, you won’t even need ice cubes. It stays flavourful without getting watered down.
Make a small sugar syrup batch in advance: Just boil sugar with a little water and store it in a bottle in the fridge. That way, you don’t have to melt sugar every single time.
Add mint leaves for an extra fresh touch: A few mint leaves make the drink feel extra cool and refreshing, especially on those really hot days.
Sabja Juice (Step by Step Pictures)
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| Take sabja seeds and soak them in water for 10 mins |
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| Take water in a sauce pan and sugar |
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| Add in lemon juice |
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| Mix well and set aside |
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| Take a glass |
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| add in soaked sabja seeds |
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| pour in water |
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| Add in some cold water |
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| Stir it well |
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| Serve cold |
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| Enjoy.. |
Expert tips
Always stir before serving: Sabja tends to settle at the bottom. Give it a good stir so each sip has seeds, sweet, and lemon in perfect balance.
Use glass jars or bottles if making ahead: If you're prepping the drink in advance, store it in a glass bottle in the fridge. It stays fresh and chilled, ready to pour when guests arrive.
Add lemon zest for an extra punch: Just by grating a little lemon peel into the drink which gives it a subtle citrusy aroma and tastes super refreshing, especially in summer.
Go for fresh lemons over bottled juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives that bright, zesty kick. Bottled ones usually taste dull and slightly bitter.
Variations
Orange Chia Drink Recipe: This one’s a sunny, zesty drink made with fresh orange juice and soaked chia seeds. It’s naturally sweet, packed with Vitamin C, and the chia adds that soft, jelly-like texture that makes every sip fun. Super energizing on hot days!
Jaljeera Drink Recipe: Spicy, tangy, and packed with bold Indian flavours, jaljeera is the ultimate thirst-quencher. Made with cumin, mint, lemon juice, and a hint of black salt, this drink wakes up your tastebuds and cools your stomach at the same time.
Pineapple Masala Drink Recipe: Sweet pineapple meets spicy chaat masala in this tropical twist. It’s sweet, salty, slightly tangy, and so addictive. One of those drinks that makes your mouth water just thinking about it.
Lemon Chia Drink Recipe: A simple lemon juice-based drink but with a healthy twist , soaked chia seeds. It’s refreshing, filling, and perfect when you want something light but not boring. Think of it as nimbu paani with a bit of a glow-up.
Strawberry Chia Drink Recipe: Fresh strawberry puree, chilled water, a bit of sugar, and chia seeds come together in this pretty-in-pink drink. Fruity, slightly tangy, and super fun to drink — great for kids and adults alike!
FAQ
How long should I soak the sabja seeds?
About 10–15 minutes in water is enough. They’ll puff up and get that nice jelly coat. If they’re still crunchy inside, just let them sit a little longer.
Can I use chia seeds instead?
You can, but the texture is a bit different. Chia takes longer to soak and feels a bit heavier. Sabja is quicker and has a lighter, slipperier feel.
Is this drink good for health?
Totally! It’s great for cooling your body, helps with digestion, and even keeps you feeling full for longer — so it’s nice as a light snack too.
Can I make this in advance?
Yes, but it’s best to keep the lemon mix and soaked seeds separate. Mix them fresh when serving, so the taste stays bright and fresh.
Why does my drink taste bitter sometimes?
Probably added lemon juice to hot sugar syrup. Always let the syrup cool completely before mixing in lemon, it keeps the taste clean.
How do I make it less sweet or more tangy?
Super easy, just adjust the sugar and lemon to your liking. There’s no fixed rule here. I usually taste and tweak as I go.
Can I add other flavours to it?
Yes! You can toss in rose water, mint, a splash of orange juice , anything you like. It’s a flexible drink, so play around with it!
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📖 Recipe Card
Sweet Basil Seed Drink Recipe (Sabja Juice)
Equipment
- Sauce Pan
Ingredients
- 2 cup Cold Water
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice or to taste
Sugar
- 4 tbsp Sugar
- ¼ cup Water
For Soaking Sabja
- 1 tbsp Sabja Seeds | Basil Seeds
- ½ cup Water
Instructions
- Take sabja seeds in a bowl and add in ½ cup of water and let it soak for 10 mins.
- Take ½ cup water in a sauce pan, add in sugar and mix well. Put this on stove and let the sugar melt. Now take it off the heat and let it cool down.
- Take water in a bowl, Add in lemon juice and mix well. Taste and adjust sugar or lemon.
- Now take a tall glass, add the soaked sabja seeds, lemon juice mix and water. Mix well. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
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traditionallymodernfood
Refreshing summer drink
Anonymous
Aarthi,
I guess these are not sweet basil seeds.
Sabja seeds are different.
I guess these are similar to chia seeds (US)
Jim bro
Never sugar, afd stevia or allulosr, natural sweetener