Doodh soda (Urdu: دودھ سوڈا, Punjabi: ددھّ سوڈاShahmukhiਦੁੱਧ ਸੋਡਾGurmukhi) is a cold drink made by mixing a lemon- or lime-flavored soda, such as Sprite or 7 Up, with milk. A variant uses a cola-flavored soda, such as Pepsi. It is popular in the Punjab region of both Pakistan and India, and is especially popular during Ramadan.[1][2][3] It is considered to be healthier than regular soda, and is often paired with spicy foods.[3][4] The combination of soda and milk was first created in Victorian England, and from there it spread to India and Pakistan through the British Empire.[3][4][5]
Similar drinks using 7 Up and Pepsi have been promoted in the United States.[6][7] The Pepsi-based version, nicknamed "Pilk" in the brand's marketing campaign, has been compared to Doodh soda.[8][9]
Preparation
There are multiple methods of creating doodh soda. One method is pouring boiling milk into a metal bucket submerged and spun in a container of iced water. Once chilled, the milk is mixed with the soda. Other times, vendors mix the drink by pouring between glasses, aerating the mixture.[3] At home, people create it by filling a glass with equal parts ice, soda, and milk.[1] Other ingredients are sometimes added in small amounts such as Rooh Afza, fruit syrup, sugar, honey,[3] or the zest of a lemon or lime.[1]
