Shikanji ~ The Indian Lemonade

One weekend I was feeling a little low and convinced my husband to go for lunch to a very popular Lebanese restaurant in Abidjan. It’s a little far from our apartment and the sun was pouring lava from the sky. I clipped my messy hair into a bun and threw in a light cotton dress. Hubby drove the car and within half an hour we reached there. It was weekend and the restaurant was full. The man in the reception told us to wait a bit. And although we were standing in their lobby, where an a.c was running full fledged, we both were starting to crave for some iced water. We got a table after another 15 minutes, and the first thing we ordered was their very popular lemonade.

They churn their iced chunk of lemonade in a machine just behind the entrance and it is so fresh. One sip of that refreshing drink...and our senses were restored again. Phew....!! It almost felt like the hot and burning noons of Kolkata and the misery that carried within it. No matter how many soft drinks or beverages you try...this very classic old fashioned lemonade ceases to lose its charm.

I can remember this one particular man who sold lemonades in a cart in College Street, where I have tasted the best Lemonade till now. He used to sneak in half of a packet of the readymade jaljeera with every glass and used to make the drink by shaking shaved ice, lime juice and the syrup in a shaker, which was nothing but two steel glasses, one pushed inside the other one at their neck. After tuition, that lemonade was the only one element in the earth that kept us living during those summer months.

Shikanji ~ The Indian Lemonade

Serves 2

Ingredients:

500 ml sprite (You can also use soda or just plain water. Use sugar as per taste if you are using soda / water)

1 tsp dry roasted and ground cumin seeds

A few sprigs of mint leaves

2 limes

Black salt – as per taste

Method:

Take two tall glasses and squeeze the limes in the glasses, one for each.

Break some of the mint leaves and rub them in your palms. Throw them inside the glass as well. 

Add the roasted and ground cumin seeds and black salt to them.If possible, muddle the mint leaves with the spices and the lime juice.

Pour in the sprite. If you are adding soda then add sugar to it as well.

Stir all the spices and salt with a spoon.

Throw in some crushed ice as well.

Serve immediately.