The last few weeks of the month of October have been unusually hot !!! Just when the mind craves for a refreshing chilled drink and what better if it is healthy too! Indeed a great way to beat the scorching heat.
During our yesteryears, this was a regular concoction and favourite in my Moms house, especially served each year on Akha Teej. However, with the passage of time, it’s potent sugar content became a deterrent and soon it vanished from our menus.
It was only very recently until I visited a workshop on Conscious Living in my city where an aunt of mine demonstrated this recipe using jaggery in place of sugar which was almost like a reincarnation of the old-fashioned version.
The Imli Ka Amlana is an apt drink, flavorsome and also aids in digesting all the heavy food consumed during the festive season. Tamarind is a rich source of vitamin b,c, potassium, magnesium and loads of antioxidants which protects our body from hazardous free radicals.
Serve this as a Non-alcoholic mocktail or add a good quantity of vodka or rum, shake it well and enjoy it as a fusion cocktail.
Cheers !!!
Imli Ka Amlana or Healthy Tamarind Drink |
|
| Course | Drinks |
| Servings | Makes about 3 big glasses (800 ml) |
| Preparation Time | 15 minutes |
Ingredients for Imli Ka Amlana or Healthy Tamarind Drink(1 cup = 250 ml) |
|
| 1/2 cup | Tamarind (imli) |
| 6 tbsp | Organic jaggery |
| 2 tsp | Freshly roasted and crushed cumin seeds |
| 2 tsp | Black salt |
| ½ tsp | Cardamom powder (Elaichi) |
| 3 glasses. | Chilled water |
| Juice of one lemon (indian size small lime) | |
| A few mint leaves chopped. | |
Ingredients For Garnishing and Serving |
|
| 1 tsp | Salt |
| 1 tsp | Red chilli powder |
| Lime Juice | |
| Lemon slices | |
| Crushed ice | |
Instructions for Imli Ka Amlana or Healthy Tamarind Drink |
|
| 1. | Soak the tamarind in water (just enough to cover it) for 15 minutes. |
| 2. | Squeeze the tamarind into a pulp and discard the seeds. |
| 3. | Add the crushed jaggery and mix it well with the tamarind pulp. |
| 4. | Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. |
| 5. | You can adjust the quantities of salt, cumin, cardamom powder, mint leaves and lime juice according to your taste. |
| 6. | Before serving rim the glasses. Dip the edges with lime juice, then with salt and red chilli mix. Garnish with a lemon slice. Serve with crushed ice. |
