Shikanji | Indian Style Lemonade

The next recipe I am going to share in the series of special summer drinks is the humble Shikanji. Shikanji is a simple Indian style lemonade/limeade. It’s a sweet and spicy drink prepared with lemon/lime. It is known by different names like Shikanjvi, shikanjbi, shikanjbeen and also Nimbu Paani which means lemon water in Hindi.

Earlier this Feb, I posted Kulukki Sarbath; (video recipe here) which is a typical summer drink in Kerala is. While learning about that recipe, I came across a lot of other Sarbath recipes, and one among them was this Shikanjvi (one more coming next), and I made a mental note to try it soon.  And I did try just not once, but multiple times. :-) As I mentioned, it’s a simple drink, and all your need is some lemon, salt, sugar, and spices. But there are zillion variations to this recipe, and there are no set proportions, you can mix and adjust the ingredients as per your preference. :-)

As I went with jal jeera masala for my Aam Panna, I decided to go with the traditional black salt, cumin powder, and pepper powder mix but skipped ground pepper for this recipe as kiddo preferred it that way. I have tried with and without pepper, and both taste heavenly.  All you have to do is squeeze some fresh lemon juice, add sugar, salt, cumin powder, some mint leaves, water, and ice. Mix it well and tadaa, Shikanjvi is ready.   Please refer to the notes section for other variations. 

Ingredients:

• Lemon – 1 (I got a little over 3 tbsps. Of lemon juice)
• Sugar – 3 tbsp
• Black Salt – ½ tsp
• Cumin Powder – ½ tsp
• Ground pepper – ½ tsp (optional)
• Ice Cubes – as required
• Water – 2.5 cups
• Mint leaves – few (optional)

Steps:

• Squeeze the lemon and extract the juice.
• In a Mason jar or jug, which is convenient for mixing, add the lemon juice, sugar, black salt, cumin powder, ice cubes, water and mint leaves.
• Mix them nicely. If you are using a mason jar, close the lid, and you can even shake it like in kulukki sarbath.
• Check the taste and adjust the sugar and spices if required.
• Add more ice cubes and garnish it with mint leaves. Serve cold.

That’s it.

Notes:

• The sugar and spice entirely depend upon the sourness of the lemon. So adjust the sugar, salt as per your preference.
• You can add chopped ginger and ground pepper too.
• Instead of black salt and cumin powder, you add jal jeera masala or even chaat masala.
• For additional flavors, you can include rose syrup or any other flavored sarbath concentrates.
• Mint leaves are optional, and also you can add cucumber slices and make it like a detox drink. 
• You can skip ice cubes and prepare this shikanji and refrigerate it. You can add ice cubes just before serving or skip it as per your preference. The spices tend to get settled in the bottom, so mix nicely before serving.

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Shikanji | Indian Style Lemonade

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

5 mins

Total Time

10 mins

 

Shikanji | Shikanjvi - Sweet and Spicy Indian Style Lemonade

Course: Beverages

Cuisine: Indian

Servings: 2

Author: Srividhya

Ingredients

• Lemon – 1 I got a little over 3 tbsps. Of lemon juice
• Sugar – 3 tbsp
• Black Salt – ½ tsp
• Cumin Powder – ½ tsp
• Ground pepper – ½ tsp optional
• Ice Cubes – as required
• Water – 2.5 cups
• Mint leaves – few optional

Instructions

1. Squeeze the lemon and extract the juice.
2. In a Mason jar or jug, which is convenient for mixing, add the lemon juice, sugar, black salt, cumin powder, ice cubes, water and mint leaves.
3. Mix them nicely. If you are using a mason jar, close the lid, and you can even shake it like in kulukki sarbath.
4. Check the taste and adjust the sugar and spices if required.
5. Add more ice cubes and garnish it with mint leaves. Serve cold.
6. That’s it.

Recipe Notes

• The sugar and spice entirely depend upon the sourness of the lemon. So adjust the sugar, salt as per your preference.
• You can add chopped ginger and ground pepper too.
• Instead of black salt and cumin powder, you add jal jeera masala or even chaat masala.
• For additional flavors, you can include rose syrup or any other flavored sarbath concentrates.
• Mint leaves are optional, and also you can add cucumber slices and make it like a detox drink. 
• You can skip ice cubes and prepare this shikanji and refrigerate it. You can add ice cubes just before serving or skip it as per your preference. The spices tend to get settled in the bottom, so mix nicely before serving.