Cool Off in Late Summer Nimbu Pani
It might be September, but that doesn’t mean it’s not hot there yet – you may have heard that a heatwave is sweeping the western US . The perfect way to beat the heat is to sit by the pool with something cold to drink. Pool might not be for you, so the least I can do is help you make a late summer drink that’s more interesting than your regular lemonade. Refreshing, one sip of Nimbu Pani will take you to the pool house.
Nimbu pani is a citrus drink common in India and other parts of South Asia. Its recipe varies depending on the region you’re in or how you prefer to season it, but in its simplest form, it always includes lemon or lime, sugar, and herbs. From there, feel free to add fresh ginger, spices like black pepper or cumin, or a pinch of volcanic salt. Mix the mixture and fill with plain water or sparkling water.
The resulting drink offers a stimulating whirlpool of flavors and aromas, captivating your taste buds with combinations of spices you may not have tasted before in a drink. I first tried it through a canned sparkling version of Nimbu Pani that I bought from Bollygood . I was surprised by its lime, basil, and cumin flavors and this inspired me to try some homemade flavors. Once you get the hang of it and find your own balance of sweet and spicy, it’s easy to feel like a nimbu pani mixologist. It only takes a few ingredients to get a lot of flavor, and you can make it as complex or as simple as you like. (My energy level is directly related to temperature, so the hotter the easier I make this drink.)
Nimbu panis is infinitely customizable
To make your own, you will need about a quarter cup of citrus juice. (Lemon or lime are the most common, but grapefruit works too.) Add a teaspoon or two of sugar until it dissolves. Decide whether you want mixed herbs in your drink or just their flavor. If you like the mash, add the herbs to a drinking glass with half a teaspoon of sugar and quickly stir them together to release the oils. I don’t like having a lot of particles floating around in my drinks, so I prefer to break up the mint or basil by folding two or three leaves and twisting or twisting them aggressively without breaking. Place the crushed herbs in a glass and fill the glass with ice. Pour sweetened citrus juice over ice. Fill a glass with the coldest water you can, or if you’re into fizzy drinks, use seltzer.
To give pani a halo of glamour, try spices. Start by adding a pinch of sea salt to the mixture while adding the sugar. If you have volcanic sea salt, use it; a touch of salt balances the sour fruit perfectly, and the sulfur essence from the volcanic salt is subtle and adds another layer of interest. Take it to the next level by adding a pinch of cumin or ¼ teaspoon of fresh ginger root to the mix. These two ingredients do wonders for reducing the sweetness without leaving you with a tasteless drink. Less than ⅛ teaspoon of cumin will give the drink an earthy flavor that will dampen the sugar in the drink; ginger adds a bit of spice.
The beauty of Nimbu Pani is that you can mix it up to suit your mood any day. The following recipe is simple and easy, with a slight hint of spice that accentuates the accompanying herbs. You can change it up using the herbs you have on hand (perhaps the ones that are overproduced in your garden?) or citrus fruits that you can’t seem to digest. Why not make a mixture of lemon and grapefruit or try a savory one? And while my recipe is non-alcoholic, I don’t see why you can’t celebrate with a glass of Collins pani vodka or rum.
Thyme for Lemon Nimbu Pani
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (about one large lemon)
- 4 sprigs of thyme (optional for garnish)
- 2 teaspoons sugar (adjust to taste)
- Pinch of black lava salt
- A pinch of ground cumin
- Sparkling water to fill
Add the first five ingredients to the measuring cup and mix. Feel free to mash the thyme a little with your stirring tool.
Fill the rocks glass halfway with ice and strain the mixture into a cup. Fill with sparkling water and garnish with a sprig of thyme. Enjoy in the coldest place in your house.