“Doodh Soda” went viral after its prominent appearance in Dhurandhar. The drink appears in a key scene set in Karachi’s Lyari region.
In the film, Doodh Doda’s stall is used as a cover for an Indian spy. Gaurav Gera plays a spy disguised as a salesman Mohammad Aalam. In the film, he delivers the now viral line “Darling Darling Dil kyu toda. Peelo peelo Aalam soda.”
Ranveer Singh’s character, Hamza Ali Mazari, is holed up in a Doodh Soda stall. When he becomes a shop assistant, Gera teaches him to make doodh soda in one of the scenes. It’s part of his top secret mission. In Pakistan.
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Thanks to a viral trend, people are recreating Doodh Soda ‘Dhurandhar style’. Some retailers are ramping up sales at stalls across India.
In fact, Doodh Soda is a famous Pakistani drink and an everyday favorite in cities like Lahore and Karachi. It is widely sold by street vendors, especially in summer.
The drink is also closely associated with Ramadan, when it becomes a popular iftar choice. Stalls selling this drink often see large crowds at that time. It is considered a nostalgic, refreshing classic in Pakistani food culture.
What is doodh soda?
While teaching Ranveer how to make Doodh Soda, Gera asks him not to mix it too fast. Otherwise, the milk may spoil.
That’s because Doodh Soda is made by mixing cold milk with a clear lemon-lime soft drink like Sprite or 7 Up. Most people use equal parts milk and soda, although some prefer a little more milk.
It is widely used in Punjab throughout India and Pakistan. Some families in Old Delhi also treat it as a regular summer cooler. In fact, Sprite Pakistan had an ad specifically for Doodh Soda.
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The taste of the drink is sweet, creamy and slightly sparkling. The bubbles make the milk feel airy and slightly frothy, which many people find refreshing.
The taste changes with the ratio. Too much soda can cause the milk to curdle, and too little soda keeps it thick.
There are many variations. People add sugar or honey, ice, rose syrup, cardamom or a bit of citrus. Some people replace the lemon-lime soda with Coke or cream soda for a different flavor.
How to make it at home
You can easily prepare Doodh soda at home using basic ingredients. The drink calls for chilled milk and a clear lemon-lime soda like Sprite or 7-Up. Most people use a 1:1 or 1.5:1 ratio of milk to soda, which keeps the drink creamy and prevents curdling.
Take one cup of boiled and cooled whole milk and one cup of cooled baking soda. If you prefer a sweeter taste, add a tablespoon or two of sugar or honey.
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Put ice cubes in a tall glass or pitcher, pour milk over it and stir until the sugar dissolves. Then slowly add soda down the side of the glass to keep the fizz strong. Stir gently and drink immediately until chilled.
It is important to chill both ingredients first, as this will prevent the milk from reacting with the baking soda. For variation, you can also add flavors like Rooh Afza, rose syrup, basil seeds or cardamom.
Doodh Soda: Who Should Avoid It?
Many people experience bloating or discomfort because the drink can curdle in the stomach as the acids react with the mixture. Some may find short-term relief from heartburn, although the effect rarely lasts.
Even for ordinary people, the mixture of milk and soda in Doodh Soda affects the intestines in different ways. Milk can soothe mild acidity, but carbonated soda often irritates the stomach.
People with lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acidity or gastritis should avoid it, as the drink may worsen their symptoms. Frequent drinking can add sugar and calories, which can affect weight control. It is best enjoyed only once in a while with chilled ingredients.
