The Hirshon Nimbu ka Sharbat (North Indian Spiced Limeade) - नीबू पोदीना शरबत

Nimbu ka Sharbat Image Used Under Creative Commons License From saveur.com

One of the great legacies of the Persian influence on India is the use of ices and sherbets throughout the North of India. The Sultans were especially fond of icy drinks combining citrus with Indian spices that according to Ayurvedic tradition conferred great health benefits to the imbiber.

This lime sharbat (the original word for sherbet, by the way) is deliciously complex and includes two different kinds of salt (in small quantities) to help bring out the sweetness. One of these is Indian black salt, which has a particularly strong smell due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide.

Indians use it for its reported health properties, but many are far less fond of it. Feel free to leave it out if you so prefer.

I’ve also added the herbaceous note of ground ajwain seeds as well to the classic recipe – well worth seeking out in any Indian grocery or again, just leave it out. The hint of salt will – like a salted caramel – prove delightfully addictive. 🙂

Battle on – The Generalissimo

The Hirshon Nimbu ka Sharbat (North Indian Spiced Limeade) – नीबू पोदीना शरबत

Rate this recipe

1 ratings

Beverages

Ingredients

¾ cup fresh lime juice, plus sliced lime for serving
⅓ cup packed mint leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
⅓ cup sugar
⅛ tsp. grated kala namak (black salt; optional)
½ tsp. kosher salt
¼ tsp. freshly ground ajwain seed
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp. freshly ground cumin
4 cups seltzer or water, chilled

Instructions

Purée lime juice, mint leaves, sugar, black salt (if using), the kosher salt, kalonji, pepper, and cumin in a blender until smooth. Pour into a pitcher and top with seltzer; garnish with lime slices and mint sprigs.

https://www.thefooddictator.com/the-hirshon-nimbu-ka-sharbat-north-indian-spiced-limeade-%e0%a4%a8%e0%a5%80%e0%a4%ac%e0%a5%82-%e0%a4%aa%e0%a5%8b%e0%a4%a6%e0%a5%80%e0%a4%a8%e0%a4%be-%e0%a4%b6%e0%a4%b0%e0%a4%ac%e0%a4%a4/

Citizens, please note that I can no longer afford to absorb the nearly $1000 per month it costs to keep the site running smoothly, including marketing expenses, etc. There is, however, a solution that benefits us all – one that will help to avoid the only other alternative, which is to add obnoxious ads throughout the site.

Become a Citizen Prime for only $4 per month and receive exclusive recipes, 3 free historic cookbook scans, discounts from TFD sponsors and so much more! For less than the cost of 1 Starbucks coffee, you can keep TFD Nation strong and proud! Details are here.

Related Posts:

About The Generalissimo

Add ✮ The Food Dictator ✮ to your Homescreen!