Easy Homemade Jaljeera For Refreshing Sips This Summer Season
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The popular Indian beverage Jaljeera is often enjoyed in the summer months. It is prepared by blending water, lemon juice, sugar, and other spices such as cumin, coriander, mint, and ginger. The mix of spices in Jaljeera is responsible for its calming and cooling properties; it aids in inflammation reduction and improves digestion. It is also ideally suited for the hot and muggy summer months because of its inherent cooling qualities, which aid in lowering body temperature and maintaining bodily moisture.

In the summer, Jaljeera is typically provided as a welcome beverage. Taking it prior to a meal might also be beneficial since it stimulates the taste buds and digestive fluids, increasing appetite. Although, you can find jaljeera on the streets during this time of the year, making it at home is equally simple. So, here's a recipe for you to try:

Jaljeera Recipe

Here's how you can make jaljeera at home:

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons cumin seeds (jeera)
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon dry mango powder (amchur)
  • 1 tablespoon black salt
  • 1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon ginger powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 4 cups chilled water
  • Ice cubes (optional)
  • Fresh mint leaves and boondi (for garnish, optional)

Method:

  • Dry roast the cumin seeds and black peppercorns in a pan until fragrant. Allow them to cool down.
  • In a blender or spice grinder, combine the roasted cumin seeds, black peppercorns, dry mango powder, black salt, roasted cumin powder, ginger powder, red chilli powder, fresh mint leaves, and fresh coriander leaves. Grind into a fine powder.
  • Transfer the ground spice mixture to a large pitcher.
  • Add lemon juice and chilled water to the pitcher. Stir well to combine and dissolve the spice mixture.
  • Taste the jaljeera and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt, lemon juice, or chilli powder according to your preference.
  • If desired, add ice cubes to the pitcher to chill the jaljeera further.
  • Stir the jaljeera before serving to ensure that the spices are evenly distributed.
  • Pour the jaljeera into glasses, garnish with fresh mint leaves and a sprinkle of boondi if you like, and serve chilled.

Tips:

  • For this recipe, be sure to use just the mint leaves—not the stems. The drink will get more bitter because of the stems.
  • Add a few mint leaves, boondi, and a dash of chaat masala to each glass as you serve.