Long before a viral video made it a national talking point, a simple, frothy concoction of milk and soda was already a cult classic on the streets of Kolkata. The drink, known as doodh soda, found its moment in the digital sun, but its roots run deep through Punjabi tradition and the city's own night-time rituals.
From Viral Line to Legacy Recipe
The recent surge in popularity for doodh soda is widely attributed to actor Gaurav Gerav's iconic line, "Darling Darling, Peelo Doodh Soda", which spread like wildfire across social media platforms. This viral moment introduced the beverage to a generation of new consumers. However, for establishments like Balwant Singh's Dhaba in Bhawanipur, the drink has been a cornerstone of their menu for decades.
Manish Singh, representing the famed dhaba, clarifies its longstanding heritage. "This is my grandfather's recipe. Over the decades, it has become Kolkata's favourite," he states. While acknowledging the new wave of customers post the Dhurandhar trend, Singh emphasizes that the drink was already a trusted favourite for regular patrons long before it trended online.
A Punjabi Heirloom and Kolkata's Midnight Elixir
Decades before becoming a hashtag, doodh soda served as a summer saviour across North India and Pakistan. Originating as a quick, homemade cooler, it combined milk to soothe and soda to sparkle, effectively becoming a traditional Punjabi answer to modern energy drinks. Every household often had its own twist, with some prioritizing extra fizz and others adding a dash of rose syrup for colour and flavour.
For Kolkatans, particularly students, night-shift workers, and late-night revellers, Balwant Singh's Dhaba turned this Punjabi heirloom into a midnight ritual. Served in steel tumblers or tall glasses, its perfect balance of creaminess and fizz offered a frothy antidote to the city's humid summer nights. The drink evokes a strong sense of nostalgia and comfort for many.
Satnam Singh Ahluwalia recalls its role as a desi energy drink. "Doodh soda is the go-to drink in our house. We have it every day. While growing up, it was more like desi energy drink. I remember having it on football match days—refreshing and energizing," he shares, noting that adding ice-cream to create a float was a popular variation.
The Enduring Appeal of a Simple Cooler
The story of doodh soda is a testament to how digital virality can intersect with and amplify deep-seated cultural traditions. While the Dhurandhar trend brought a temporary surge of new interest, the drink's fundamental appeal lies in its simplicity, nostalgia, and proven ability to refresh. It represents a shared cultural memory for Punjabis and a adopted late-night companion for Kolkata.
Today, the drink enjoys a dual status: a viral sensation for a new audience and a timeless classic for its old devotees. Its journey from Punjabi kitchens to a Kolkata dhaba staple and finally to social media fame highlights how traditional recipes can find new life, connecting generations through a shared sip of creamy, fizzy delight.
