Shikanji | Indian Lemonade | Video

Shikanji (Indian Lemonade). Chilled refreshing lemonade to beat the summer heat. Think of this as a spicy version of your favorite lemonade with hints of ground cumin, ground black pepper and black salt. Spicy, tangy, and best of all, refreshingly delicious. It’s likely to become your most favorite lemonade recipe.

It’s tempting to stock up on premade drinks when summer arrives. However, if you don’t want artificial colors and flavors in your diet, it’s time to rethink and whip up homemade version of your favorite drinks.

Enter: shikanji or Indian lemonade

Combine together lemon juice and water, and season with roasted cumin, ground black pepper and black salt to complete this Indian style lemonade.

The recipe starts with the simple combo of lemon juice and water. The only extra additions are spices and a touch of black salt. Obviously, roasted and powdered cumin seeds, and ground black pepper adds another level of flavor to this lemonade. The cumin seeds are roasted in a pan over low heat to bring out all the flavors. The ground black pepper adds a little spice kick. When it comes to the amount of spices you need, feel free to customize, and add more or less depending on your taste preference.

With a dark pink color, black salt or kala namak is well-known for its medicinal properties. Obviously, a touch of black salt brings out extra flavor. You can also add a little white sugar to shikanji if you like sweet lemonade. However, it’s totally optional.

Finally, garnish with a few lemon slices and mint leaves. And there you go. Simple yet so good refreshing drink!

More summer drinks recipes:

• Indian Lassi – Sweet and Salted | Indian Yogurt Drink
• Mango Lassi | Indian Mango Smoothie
• Grape Lassi | Indian Grape Smoothie
• Thandai | Sardai

Yield: 2

Shikanji | Indian Lemonade | Video

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Indian style lemonade spiced with ground cumin, black pepper and black salt

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• Juice from 1 large lemon
• 500 ml chilled soda water
• 1/2 teaspoon ground roasted cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Black salt, as required
• White sugar, as required (optional)
• Lemon slices, to garnish
• Mint leaves, to garnish
• Ice cubes, to serve

Instructions

1. Divide water and lemon juice among two serving glasses. Add ice cubes if you like.
2. Add 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin and ground black pepper to each glass. Add black salt and sugar as required. Stir to dissolve sugar and salt.
3. Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves. Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

- Black salt is available from Indian grocery stores

- You can double or triple this recipe

Nutrition Information

Yield

2

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 90Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 401mgCarbohydrates 23gFiber 2gSugar 17gProtein 1g

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