Sugarcane juice and coconut water.

The weather in most parts of India is hot. Places near the coast are hot and humid. Winters are relatively mild unless the altitude is high as in the Himalayas. Due to the oppressive heat and humidity, it’s very important to keep hydrated. Before the advent of carbonated fizz drinks and high fructose corn syrup laden juices, every one had sugar cane juice. People living in the coastal areas drink coconut water to keep hydrated. There are still lots of street vendors that sell coconut water and sugar cane juice.

In one of the pictures above, you see the gentleman drinking sugarcane juice. The sugarcane is ploughed through the grinder several times till it is completely dry. A jug at the bottom of the grinder collects the sugarcane juice which is served with some ice. It costs 10 cents.