Shikanji -Shikanjvi-Indian lemonade drink |Minty Nimbu Pani

Shikanji or shikanjvi /Shikanjavi  as we call it  is a famous & traditional lemonade of north india and pakistan.Shikanji is one of the  favorite drink to refresh from that scorching heat in summers. It is truly a healthy drink with lemon ,black salt, cumin seeds. Its a variation to our marathi style limbu pani / limbucha sarbat.

 It is so refreshing, plus you get loads of vitamin c in one drink. it is so hot now.Shikanji is always made with fresh lemon juice and spiced with some black salt and some roasted cumin powder. sugar is also added. so you have a sweet and salty lemony drink with hints of cumin.black salt is the best salt to be used in shikanji as it gives a punch and the peculiar black salt taste which no other salt can give.

 
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Serving Size: 2


Ingredients
1 medium size lemon
2 glasses of water
1 tsp cumin powder
1 pinch black salt as required
1 pinch pepper powder
sugar as required
4-5 mint leaves for garnishing - optional
a few ice cubes



Method:

1.Take a pitcher/ jug  add 2 glass of chilled water to it.
2.Now add sugar and stir till it dissolves into the water nicely & completely. With lemon juice squeezer, Squeeze all lemons and add the juice to the same jug. 3.Add pinch of salt and black salt ,cumin seeds powder, pepper powder to it and continue to stir.
4.Now add crushed ice to the jug and stir again. Add in few mint leaves to it too. 

5. Serve in chilled glasses garnished with lemon slices and mint sprigs.
6. You can also make the shikanji and chill in the fridge and then serve.



Variation
1.Add  pureed mint for flavour or some chat masala/black salt.
2.You can replace water with soda water
3.you can add 1 tsn of lemon flavoured tang powder.
4.add 1 tsp of elaichi powder.
5.You can add half glass of sprite to above lemon juice


Health benefits

" Shikanji helps to balance the electrolytes in our body which are lost during perspiration in summers.
" It is refreshing lemon drink with spices which act as coolant and alos improves your digestive functions