Shikanji

Shikanji

Shikanji

Veg Vegan

Spiced lemon drink — fresh lemon juice mixed with cold water, black salt, roasted cumin, white sugar, and sometimes ginger juice and a pinch of kala namak, stirred until the sugar dissolves. Sharper, more saline, and more complex than plain lemonade. The summer street drink of Delhi — served in tall glasses at every sabzi mandi, bus stop, and market. The black salt adds a distinctive sulphurous note that plain nimbu pani doesn't have.

Cuisines

Rajasthani Malwi Haryanvi Awadhi Punjabi Delhi

Best for

Lunch Snacks

Recipe

Prep: 10 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

water 2 cups Water
Lemon 2 Lemon
sugar 4 tablespoons Sugar
black salt 1 teaspoon Black salt
Cumin 1/2 teaspoon Cumin , roasted, powder
black pepper powder 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper powder
Mint 1 teaspoon Mint , chopped
Ice Cube — Ice Cube
salt — Salt , to taste

Instructions

  1. 1 Squeeze the juice from the lemons into a pitcher.
  2. 2 Add sugar, black salt, roasted cumin powder, black pepper powder, and salt to the lemon juice.
  3. 3 Pour in the water and stir well until the sugar dissolves completely.
  4. 4 Add the chopped mint leaves and mix again.
  5. 5 Taste and adjust the sweetness or saltiness as per your preference.
  6. 6 Add ice cubes to the serving glasses.
  7. 7 Pour the shikanji into the glasses over the ice cubes.
  8. 8 Garnish with additional mint leaves if desired and serve immediately.

Tips

For a tangier taste, add a little more lemon juice. You can also add a pinch of chaat masala for an extra kick.