Jal-jeera (Jeera Pani) (Sweet and Spicy Cumin Water)
Jal-jeera or Jeera Pani is a chilled, refreshing Summer drink made with spicy, sweet, and tangy ingredients.
Ingredients
- 8 cups water
- 2 tsp dried ginger powder ("Sonth" in Hindi)
- 2 tbsp rock salt (kala namak, black salt, so called due to its darker hue—you can buy this at any Indian or health food grocery store)
- 1 tsp tamarind paste (heaped )
- 1 tsp mint paste (about 20 fresh mint leaves)
- ⅛ tsp chili powder (or to your taste)
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 3 tbsp brown sugar or jaggery (or gur, found in Indian grocery stores)
- 1 tbsp white sugar
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp chaat masala (optional—found in Indian grocery stores)
- Dash of black pepper, roasted cumin, and garam masala
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a pan and bring to a boil on medium heat while stirring often to dissolve the sugars.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
- Continue to stir occasionally.
- Do a taste test. (FYI - Indians don't use the same spoon to taste and cook. It is considered 'jutha,' a word that conveys food contaminated by double dipping).
- Adjust ingredients to your taste.
- Strain the mixture into a glass jug (pitcher). Add the lemon juice. Stir and chill.
- When chilled, pour in glasses, and serve garnished with mint.