Dhurandhar revives memories of childhood nostalgic doodh soda; here’s how to make it at home

But it was Kolkata’s Balwant Singh Dhaba in Bhowanipore that made this cooler a midnight staple, by switching out regular soda with cola. Whether it’s late night workers looking for a pick me up or students looking for a quick break from burning the midnight oil, doodh cola at Balwant became an iconic drink for decades to come. Established in 1926, the popular eatery is not just a beloved part of Kolkata’s history, but a hot favourite among culinary enthusiasts and food critics, and a visit to Balwant is incomplete without taking a tall glass of its viral doodh cola.

Beyond the borders of India, you can also find this drink sold by street vendors of Pakistan’s Lahore and Karachi in during Ramadan, especially for Iftar.

How can you make doodh soda?

There are multiple ways of making doodh soda. Some restaurants pour boiling milk into steel buckets submerged and spun in containers of iced water, then mix soda with the milk once it gets chilled. Some others pour the milk and soda mixture from one glass to another to aerate the drink and give it that fizzy, frothy texture. Additions like flavouring agents, spices, fruit syrups, honey and lime are also added to make it delicious.

Make it at home

Ingredients for 1:

1 cup milk whole milk (doodh)
2 cups sprite
2 tbsp sugar
½ cup ice cube

All you need to do is take some milk, some soda or carbonated beverage of your choice and two spoonfuls of sugar. Add a couple ice cubes and give the ingredients a good blend for 20 to 30 secods. Voila! Your refreshing doodh soda is ready to serve.

While the drink is not suitable for lactose intolerants, soda usually has added sugar and no nutrition, said Edwina Raj, Head of Services – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore. “They give empty calories without any vitamins or minerals.”

According to her, doodh soda is a drink rich in sugar and can raise glucose levels. The high amount of sugar gives the body a dopamine rush, which in turn gives a feel-good feeling for some time. However, when it gets withdrawn within hours of its consumption, then the person starts feeling low, tired and fatigued again. The drink can also increase your weight over time if not consumed in moderation.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.