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South India and its torrid climate has given rise to many classic beverages like Kulluki sharbath, Nannari sharbath, Jigarthanda and Pannakam. While all of these drinks are distinct in terms of flavour, colour and consistency, what binds them together is their ability to cool you from within, with only a handful of local and seasonal ingredients. Another beverage in this tall and popular list is Paneer soda. Now, most of the foodies who belong to Northern parts of the country may have already shunned the idea seeing the word paneer and soda together. Paneer or Indian cottage cheese is meant to be used in curries, in pulao after all, how can it possibly sit well with soda. This is where need to expand our food vocabulary by a touch. Paneer soda is not what most of you are thinking it to be. Paneer or Panneer is another word for rose essence in Tamil. Therefore, this fizzy drink is essentially just a rose-infused soda, now doesn’t that sound amazing? We know your skeptical looks just turned to a huge nod of approval, so let’s proceed to how this soda is made.
You can find this drink very easily in Tamil Nadu, especially during this season or you can simply make the delightful drink at home.
All you need to do is prepare the rose syrup first. In a pan heat water, sugar, and palm candy, let it come to a boil, the let it simmer. Do this until sugar and water is well combined. Then add some rose essence to this sugar-water mixture, you can also use some rose water or rose petals. Combine everything well. Let it cool down.
Now take glass filled with sparkling water or soda, add this rose syrup and enjoy. Try making this fragrant cooler at home and let us know your thoughts.
