Let's beat the heat this summer by making a refreshing Indian drink called Nimbu Pani, also known as Shikanji! This classic beverage is perfect for hot days and is often referred to as Indian lemonade.
"Nimbu" means lemon and "pani" means water in Hindi. If you've traveled in India, you might have seen street vendors selling this drink, with lemons and glasses prominently displayed. Many families prepare a large pitcher of Nimbu Pani to keep in the refrigerator, much like how barley tea is kept in Japan during the summer.
In India, both lemons and limes are used to make this drink.🍋
Limes have a flavor closer to Indian lemons compared to Japanese lemons.
The basic ingredients for Nimbu Pani are:
- Lemon or lime juice
- Water
- Sugar
- Salt
You can also enhance the flavor by adding ingredients like kala namak (black salt), chat masala, cumin powder, black pepper or mint leaves. Some recipes even use jaggery, honey, or powdered sugar as sweeteners.
How to Make Nimbu Pani/Shikanji
- Put 1 tablespoon of lemon or lime juice and 1 tablespoon of sugar in a glass. Mix until the sugar dissolves.
- Pour 200ml of cold water into the glass and mix well.
- Add a pinch of kala namak or chat masala and mix again. Your Nimbu Pani is ready!
*For a fizzy twist, you can use carbonated water instead of regular water.
*There are also sweet versions without salt or masala, and namkeen (salty) versions made with just salt.
*To make a drink similar to the Indian soft drink "Limca," use lime juice, carbonated water, gum syrup, and kala namak.
Sharbat / Juice 🍷
Sharbat is another popular drink in northern India, believed to have originated in Iran and introduced to India around the 16th century.
Here's how you can make a simple version:
Add an appropriate amount of Rooh Afza to cold water and mix well.
A ratio of 1:4 or 1:5 for water is recommended. Your Sharbat is ready to enjoy!
*Rooh Afza can also be added to milk for a different twist.
Other variations of Sharbat can be made using ingredients like rose water, tamarind, watermelon, mango, or coconut.
Let's survive this unusually long summer with these delicious homemade drinks!
