Hindustani Beverages
Indian beverages whether consumed with an intention to beat the heat of the summer or just a mere savoring of the taste without a doubt have a worldwide appeal. Gaining acceptance by the taste buds and the wallet they are easy to make and earmark celebrations galore.
Even though beverages like Lassi, Nimbu Paani, Aam Panna, Thandai, Jal Jeera, Chaas and Masala Chai have their origins in the northern part of India they seem to be a favorite amongst people all over the country.
Of the many indigenous beverages prepared the ones that are prominently consumed by the gourmands are:
Nimbu Paani: A delicious thirst quencher made from freshly squeezed lemons, salt and sugar it instantly refreshes a person with its flavor. Nimbu Paani is basically the desi version of lemonade and is available in every nook and corner of the country. Easy to prepare and open to being experimented with in terms of an addition of an ingredient or two, it is even mixed with mild flavored fresh juices and at times even with vodka.
Jal Jeera: Best described as the Indian spiced and salty lemonade containing in it cumin seeds, mint leaves, cilantro leaves, dry mango powder, black salt, lemon juice, sugar and chilled water. It is a summer drink which has a rather unique flavor with black salt being the main ingredient. Generally served as an appetizer it arouses the taste buds and blends well with Indian food.
These drinks are also easily available on push carts. But beware of the water used.
Aam Panna: A drink which not only tastes refreshing but also looks so owing to its characteristic soothing green color. An effective remedy for heat exhaustion and heat stroke it but naturally is a favorite amongst all Indians. Apart from keeping one from suffering from exhaustion and heat stroke it also prevents excessive loss of sodium chloride and iron during summer caused due to excessive sweating. Made from raw mangoes, the sweetness is compensated for by the sugar added in it which gives the drink a rather queer yet pleasant taste.
Masala Chai: Masala chai is an aromatic spiced tea, which has been a rather unanimous beverage choice amongst the Indians for centuries together. It is a harmonious blend of freshly ground spices like cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and pepper. All of the above are added to a boiling pot of tea leaves and milk to make a rather satisfyingly appealing beverage.
Lassi: A rather sumptuous drink famous in north India as lassi or chaas. It is a yogurt based drink made by blending yogurt with water and adding salt, sugar, mint or at times even spices. There is a rather interesting variety of lassi available all over the country catering to all various needs of the gourmand. There is the sweet lassi, mint lassi, salt lassi, mango lassi and several other flavored lassis. The key ingredients remaining the same i.e. water and yogurt, an addition is then made according to the type of lassi being prepared.
The above picture is a set of ingredients used in Jal Jeera.
Madhur Advani
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