Masala Shinkanji Recipe – Shikanji or Shikanjvi is a famous and traditional Indian version of lemonade mainly served in northern part of india. It is also referred as “Nimbu Pani” at times in its crude format.
It derives its name “Masala Shikanji” due to the presence of masala or spices. These spices make this sweet and salty lemony drink different from normal lemonade. If using plain soda water, it has got many health benefits. These health benefits comes from lemon which a rich source of vitamin C. The spices makes it tasty with the zing of lemon. It helps you feel refreshing, re-energised and also helps in digestion.
It’s one the easiest summer drink which can be made in a jiffy and is loved by all.
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What is Shikanji or Nimbu Pani
Shikanji or Nimbu Pani is a lemon like drink made across India, though more popular up north. Nimbu = Lime and Pani = Water. India being a vast country, much like other food, the ingredients used in shikanji also vary slightly. The main ingredient in shikanji is lime (or lemon). You can use either lime or lemon, as per availability. Summer being hot and humid in India, shikanji is most handy and one of the cheapest way to keep hydrated.
If you in India, you may have heard of famous Jain shikanji. They specialise in authentic shikanji. They happen to be my distant relative, and though this recipe is not what they use. Jain shikanji don’t share the recipe secret. However, my cousin who is married in that family, told me that my recipe resembles close in taste to their’s.
Method to make Masala Shikanji
- Take half glass water and dissolve sugar in it. Cut thin wedges of one Lemon.
- Now take a big jug and put some crushed mint leaves and lemon wedges in it. Pour both, sweet water and plain water in the jug.
- With a lemon juice squeezer, squeeze the juice of one lemon directly into the jug.
- Add black salt, chaat masala / Jaljeera masala, cumin powder and stir.
- Now add ice cubes and pour soda/ 7 Up/ Sprite in it.
Ingredients
- Use of black salt, helps in digestion.
- Lime / lemon acts as refreshing agent.
- Chaat masala, gives nice taste and adds to digestion. Chaat masala contains dry mango powder, ground ginger, cumin powder. All these together, gives brilliant taste and tanginess.
- Mint leaves, adds to the hint of freshness.
- Sugar balances with sourness of lemon.
This masala shikanji is
- Quick and easy to make
- Extremely refreshing drink
- One of the cheapest drink
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Loved by kids and adults alike.
Serving suggestion
Serve chilled with ice cubes and mint leaves. You may add rum, gin or vodka and make cocktail from it.
You may like to also try blue lagoon mocktail, an evergreen drink.
Below is the step by step recipe of masala shikanji
Recipe Card
Masala Shikani – Nimbu Pani
Ingredients
- 2 Lemon Medium Size
- 1 Glass Water
- 1 Glass Soda Water Can you 7Up, Sprite
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Roasted cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp Chaat Masala Or use Jaljira masala
- 1/4 tsp Black Salt
- 4-5 Fresh Mint Leaves For Garnishing
- Ice Cubes A few
Instructions
- Take half glass water and dissolve sugar in it. Cut thin wedges of one Lemon.
- Now take a big jug and put some crushed mint leaves and lemon wedges in it. Pour both, sweet water and plain water in the jug.
- With a lemon juice squeezer, squeeze the juice of one lemon directly into the jug.
- Add black salt, chaat masala / Jaljeera masala, cumin powder and stir.
- Now add ice cubes and pour soda/ 7 Up/ Sprite in it.
- Serve chilled and enjoy
Notes
- If you don’t want your Shikanji to be sweet, just skip the sugar and follow rest of recipe.
- Try adding sugar free if you wish for a diabetic version.