Recipe: A Fruity, Seasonal Twist On An All-Time Classic
20 mins
Cooking Time
Easy
Difficulty
9
Ingredients
Vegan
Diet
You can always count on summers, especially Indian summers, to turn up the heat. It also makes it the perfect time to explore new homemade drinks, like this refreshing watermelon shikanji recipe. The red coloured drink is perfect for Sunday brunches (you can scale up), as an after-school drink for the kids, or even to carry along to the workplace.
Shikanji, a spiced Indian lemonade, is practically woven into the fabric of Indian culture, cropping up in homes and street foods without fail every summer. Watermelon, the juicy, sweet, ripe kind, also begins to make an appearance during the hot months. Bring the two together, and you have a hydrating seasonal beverage that looks amazing and tastes even better!
The watermelon shikanji recipe isn’t tricky or time-consuming. You don’t need any fancy equipment or long hours of prep, either. What you do need is the right watermelon. Picking the right watermelon can seem daunting because, unlike many other fruits, the melon does not continue to ripen once it’s taken off the vine. But you can improve your chances of getting the perfectly sweet watermelon by using these cues: look for a yellow spot or brown, webbed markings, or tap it – if it produces a thud, it’s sweet enough to carry home. So get the best watermelon, bring out the kitchen staples, and mix a sweet, vibrant, and refreshing shikanji!
Chop the watermelon into small cubes. You should have enough for 4 cups. Add the chopped watermelon to a blender and blend until smooth. Now, strain the juice through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher.
Description - Step 2
Make the shikanji
Add all the other ingredients to the pitcher, except for the chilled water, ice, and garnish. Stir well, ensuring the spices combine. Now, add the chilled water to the pitcher. Stir again and do a quick test. Adjust the taste (salty or sweet), if needed.
Description - Step 3
Garnish and serve
Garnish with mint leaves. Now, add 2-3 ice cubes (depending on the size of the glass) to each glass. Top the glasses with the shikanji and serve fresh. If you’re storing for later, keep the pitcher with the shikanji in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for a few hours.
Yes, adding soda is a popular variation of the watermelon shikanji recipe. Soda makes it a fizzy, refreshing drink.
Watermelon shikanji is best enjoyed immediately. However, it can be refrigerated, but it is recommended to consume it within 24 hours for the best taste and texture.
Blend chopped watermelon and strain the juice. Then, add lemon juice, black salt, roasted cumin powder, and sugar/honey to taste. Stir in cold water, add ice, and garnish with mint leaves before serving.
Shikanji is spiced lemonade commonly found in North India. It’s a hydrating summer beverage made from chilled water mixed with lemon juice, sugar, black salt, and roasted cumin powder.