Mint Lemonade/Jaljeera
fnbworld bureau
Jaljeera is a famous mint flavoured lemonade served as an appetizer as it has digestive properties and a very popular summer drink for it's cooling effect. It is a common north Indian tangy beverage sold even by roadside in huge earthern pots and almost every household makes this specially during summer.
Other than fruit juices, milkshakes or the usual lemonade you should try the humble jaljeera, also called mint lemonade to enjoy the summer in better way and to keep you hydrated. This drink is very easy to make and will get you addicted to it for its smooth taste and body-cooling effect.
Though, it can be prepared with home masalas and ingredients at hand, the ready-to-use Jaljeera powder to prepare the beverage is easily available in the stores, but one can use the ingredients at home to make it more soothing. Here is the widely used recipe and all these spices are generally used. Some people add tamarind water instead of using lemon juice though lemon juice is more popular than use of strained tamarind water.
Jaljeera Recipe
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Serves: 4-5
Ingredients
Fresh Mint Leaves - 1/2 Cup
Coriander Leaves - 1/2 Cup
Jeera- 1 tsp
Ginger - 1/4 tsp
Cumin Powder - 1 tsp
Crushed Black Pepper - 1/2 tsp
Black Salt - 1/2 tsp
Chaat Masala Powder - 1 tsp
Dry Mango Powder/Aamchoor - 1/2 tsp
Asafoetida/Hing – just a pinch
Lemon Juice - 2 tbsp
Sugar - 1 tbsp
Salt - To Taste
Chilled Water - 5 Cups
Boondi - For garnishing
Method:
Grind asafetida, mint Leaves, ginger and coriander leaves in blender to fine paste.
Add 5 cups of chilled water, jeera, black salt, black pepper, salt, amchoor (dry mango powder), sugar, chat masala and cumin powder.
Add lemon juce. Stir well and strain though a fine strainer.
Add a few ice cubes and serve chilled garnished with lemon slice and mint leaves.
