Mohabbat ka sharbat | watermelon sharbat

Watermelon is that one fruit that everyone talks about in summer.  Even if there are so many nice things at the summer picnic you always find watermelon finishes first. We have been putting our blender to good use and making this mohabbat ka sherbet often this season. Let’s share that recipe with you.

What is mohabbat ka sharbat?

Watermelon sharbat or mohabbat ka sharbat is a refreshing Delhi style drink that provides a much needed heat relief. The drink originates in the street stalls put up for Ramzan near the Juma masjid and caught the attention of the people breaking their fast at iftar. Originally called pyar mohabbat ka sharbat, the drink is actually a watermelon, rose and milk combination with plenty of ice.

What is the difference between sherbet and sharbat?

Originally, from the Persian word “sharba” as in to drink,the sherbet and sharbat are divergent ideas from this basic theme. Sharbat is a drink made from a concentrated syrup. This is usually made without milk in chilled water. Sherbet on the other hand is more associated with a ice-cream like dessert with flavors added. Often served frozen than a drink.

Ingredients for watermelon rose sharbat.

Watermelon: the red and juicy water melon bites are a highlight of this drink. Preferably buy the seedless ones. If that’s not available,  de-seed  the watermelon before you add to the drink. The yellow watermelon, honey melon or sapo melon tastes good in this drink as an alternative.

Milk:I prefer to use full cream milk to give the necessary creaminess to the drink. However, this is not limiting. You can use skim milk, almond milk, soy milk or any other of your choice. Ensure that the milk is chilled for atleast 2 to 3 hours. You can also freeze the  half milk and add that along with chilled milk on a hot day.
Rose syrup: the rose based syrup that is commonly preferred to be used is the rooh afza. This has the fragrances of rose, sweetness of a sugar syrup and an intense colour. You can use a plain rose syrup of use freshly ground rose petals in its place. Rose essence or gulkand will not work.

Basil seeds:soaked basil seeds are often added to the drink. These are soaked for some time that causes them to gel and bloom. You can replace it with soaked chia seeds.

Sweetened condensed milk: for additional sweetness you can add condensed milk. However I don’t really like it that sweet hence have avoided it.

Let’s make mohabatt ka sharbat.

Soak the basil seeds: to about a tablespoon of the basil seeds add 1/4 cup water and set it aside. After 5 minutes stir it well. Cover and keep soaking.

Cut the watermelon: chop the watermelon flesh into small bits. Ensure  you de-seed the fruit to provide a better mouth feel.

Prep the milk: stir in the rooh afza into the milk well. If you like a sweeter drink stir in the sweetened condensed milk at this stage. Mix it till they are well combined and the milk has a pale.pink colour. If using frozen milk, prepare a concentrated mix of the liquid milk with condensed milk and rooh afza and the place the frozen milk in it to mix in slowly.

Bring it all together: once the milk is ready, add the soaked basil seeds, cut watermelon and mix it all well. Pour into glasses to serve.

Few pointers to make this drink better

• You can choose between roof afza or rose syrup based on what is available. Rose essence will not give the colour or the fragrance.
• Add a pinch of cardamom powder to enhance the flavour.
• Chia or sabja seeds is an optional ingredient. Soak them prior to add to the recipe.
• Choose seedless or deseed the watermelon to add to this recipe
• You can add edible rose petals as well to this recipe if you like.

Meal prep and storage

The sharbat stays good for 1 or 2 days in the fridge. If you are planning to prepare for longer, you can make most of it and add the chopped watermelon just before serving.

Can we make this vegan?

Choosing a plant based milk will instantly transform this recipe to become vegan. I like soy milk than coconut milk in this recipe as it is a bit more neutral in flavour.

What more with watermelon?

Watermelon is a summer essential. Here are few of our recipes for you to try. 

• Watermelon slush
• Gaspacho
• Cherry watermelon smoothie

Stay connected

Hope you enjoy this Delhi favorite for you summer gatherings.let us know in the discussion below if you make any differently.

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