Doodh soda (lit. 'milk soda' in Hindi-Urdu and Punjabi) 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 and some use cream soda such as Pakola. 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[edit | edit source]
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]
In popular culture[edit | edit source]
The drink gained mainstream popualrity due to its mention in the 2025 Indian film Dhurandhar by a character named Mohammed Aalam (played by Gaurav Gera) who rhymed it with a jingle.[10]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Iqbal, Haneen J. (2021-04-16). "My Iftar Table Isn't Complete Without Doodh Soda". Bon Appétit. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
- ↑ Imtiaz, Saba (2017-06-20). "You Should Mix Soda with Milk". Eater. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Ewbank, Anne. "Doodh Soda". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Benjamin, Sharon (May 12, 2022). "A viral food trend that is a popular summer drink in Pakistan called 'doodh soda'". Gulf News. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
- ↑ Struble, Cristine (2021-04-20). "What Is Doodh Soda And What Does It Taste Like?". Mashed. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
- ↑ Emery, David (2023-03-06). "Is This Vintage '7-Up and Milk' Promotion Real?". Snopes. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ↑ Wiener-Bronner, Danielle (2022-12-01). "Pepsi wants you to drink soda mixed with milk this holiday season". CNN Business. Retrieved 2023-10-29.
- ↑ Sandhu, Sukhmani Kaur (2023-02-03). "The Runner | the true meaning behind dudh soda, the real "pilk"". The Runner. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ↑ Ahsan, Sadaf (2022-12-23). "In Defense of Doodh Soda". The Juggernaut. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ↑ Desk, Trending (2026-03-20). "'Darling dil kyu toda, peelo Aalam soda': Dhurandhar's iconic line made doodh soda a viral drink at theatre stalls". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2026-04-18.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help)