One of the most delicious and refreshing drinks of the summer season is Yakh Dar Behesht. This icy treat can be prepared with a variety of summer fruits, allowing you to enjoy both its taste and benefits. As the name suggests, Yakh Dar Behesht (literally “Ice in Paradise”) is made from ice infused with different fruit flavors.
How to Make Basil Seed Slush (Yakh dar Behesht with Basil Seeds)
Summer is always remembered for its hot and scorching days, and nothing can quench thirst and reduce the heat better than a delicious, cold drink. Fruit teas, ice cream, foods with cooling properties, and anything that helps lower body temperature are probably the best choices during hot days. Fortunately, there's a wide variety of such drinks to satisfy everyone. Yakh dar Behesht (literally meaning “Ice in Paradise”) is one of the most popular ones. Surely, some of your childhood memories are tied to drinking Yakh dar Behesht with friends during summer—after energetic games with cousins and neighborhood kids, you'd rush toward a glass of slush, flavored ice pop, or ice cream. For many people, Yakh dar Behesht is not just a simple drink—it's a sweet reminder of the purest childhood memories.
Basil seeds: 2 tablespoons
Sugar: ¼ cup
Water: 1 cup
Fresh lemon juice: ⅛ cup
Mix all ingredients in a suitable container.
Close the lid and place the container in the freezer for 2 hours.
Remove from the freezer and stir the mixture well.
Return the container to the freezer.
Repeat this process three times at 1-hour intervals until the mixture turns into a soft, creamy slush.
Basil seed (known as Tokhm-e-Sharbati in Persian) is a wild, annual plant that resembles basil but has smaller leaves and seeds. Its stems are square-shaped with pinkish-red flowers. It grows naturally in mountains and deserts in early spring.
Other names for this plant include: Badroj, Tarreh Khorasani, Oqiman, Hūk, Borang, Sarirā, and Badroj Abyaz.
In addition to being a refreshing drink, it is also a traditional medicinal herb used in treating various ailments. Originally native to Central America—like corn—it has spread to other parts of the world.
Traditionally used in Iran to quench thirst and help regulate blood pressure and aid in weight loss.
Helps combat anxiety.
Its antioxidant content is three times stronger than blueberries.
Useful for digestive issues like stomachache, bloating, constipation, indigestion, and irregular bowel movements.
In China, it’s used to treat infections, snake and insect bites, stomach pain, and to lower body temperature.
One of the best natural ingredients for weight loss when mixed with water.
Its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties help prevent tooth decay, eliminate bad breath, and freshen the mouth.
Helpful in treating bladder and vaginal infections in women due to its antibacterial nature; it also acts as a diuretic.
Can be used as a substitute for eggs—just mix with water to create a gel-like texture.
Nutritional benefits:
Iron: 3x more than spinach
Potassium: 2x more than bananas
Boron: aids calcium absorption in bones
Calcium: 5x more than milk
Vitamin C: 7x more than oranges
