By Akshara
May 28, 2026
Kokum sharbat is a vibrant, tangy, and refreshing beverage originating from the coastal regions of India. Made from the sun-dried rind of the kokum fruit, this drink is legendary for its cooling properties and its ability to aid digestion, especially after a heavy meal. It possesses a beautiful deep purple hue and a complex sweet-sour flavour profile that is both addictive and incredibly rejuvenating on a hot day.
1/2 cup dried kokum rinds  2 cups water  1/2 cup sugar or jaggery  1/2 tsp roasted cumin powder  1/4 tsp black salt
Soak the kokum rinds in one cup of water for at least 3 hours until they soften and release their deep colour.
Mash the rinds in the water to extract all the juices, then strain the mixture into a clean saucepan.
Add the sugar or jaggery to the liquid and simmer on low heat until it thickens slightly into a syrupy consistency.
Stir in the cumin powder and black salt, let it cool completely, and mix one part syrup with three parts chilled water to serve.