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Shikanji is a popular Indian beverage which combines lemon juice, water, sugar and spices. The beverage is perfect for hot summer days when people want to escape the heat as it can be served cold or with ice. The drink is not only refreshing but also full of digestive advantages. This drink can be altered to suit individual preferences. For an additional burst of freshness, some people add mint leaves; others add black salt or roasted cumin powder.
It is recently popularised in Sanya Malhotra's movie “Mrs.” where characters enjoy the drink and capture the hearts of many with its unique blend of flavours. Among the various recipes her character, Richa, learns to prepare, shikanji stands out as a refreshing symbol of self-empowerment. To make it for yourself, read more for essential suggestions for creating this hydrating and refreshing beverage at home.
Choosing Fresh Ingredients
The juiciness and acidity of ripe lemons or limes are essential for the drink's flavour. To check a lemon's juiciness, look for one that feels heavy for its size. Furthermore, using good-quality sugar enhances the sweetness. Different spices, such as chaat masala, black salt, and roasted cumin powder, contribute depth to the beverage. In addition to being a necessary garnish, fresh mint leaves can be blended into the beverage to enhance freshness. Make sure all of the ingredients are spotless and undamaged.
Lemon Juice Preparation
Roll your lemons with your palm on a table before slicing them to get the most juice out of them. The breakage of internal membranes allows juice extraction easier. Halve the lemons and extract all the juice, avoid the seeds and use a squeezer. To ensure a smooth drink, strain the juice through a fine mesh screen to get rid of any pulp or seeds. About two to three tablespoons of lemon juice per glass of water is the optimal ratio, although you can change this depending on how sour you like your drinks.
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Balancing The Flavours
Depending on your preferred level of sweetness, start by adding sugar to the lemon juice mixture gradually—usually 2-4 teaspoons. Before adding water, stir it until completely dissolved. Add table salt and black salt to taste, roughly ¼ teaspoon of each. Add chaat masala (¼ teaspoon) and roasted cumin powder (½ teaspoon). The combination of spices delivers both delicious taste and digestion benefits to transform this drink into the right cool beverage choice.
Serving and Storing
Add cold water or soda, depending on your taste, after all the ingredients have been blended. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are uniformly distributed. Before serving, taste the shikanji and adjust the sweetness or saltiness as necessary. Serve in large glasses with ice cubes for a visual appeal, then top with slices of lemon and fresh mint.
It is better to keep shikanji in the refrigerator without ice cubes if you are preparing it ahead of time for events or celebrations. The mixture of lemon, sugar, and spices can be prepared in advance and combined with water right before serving.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
