If you are the 80s and 90s kid you probably loved that matka (earthen pot) wrapped with a red wet cloth from which the cool jaljeera was poured. This elixir went straight into glasses, topped with some boondi and mint. As you gulped down, you feel the cooling sensation ride down to your belly against the scorching sweaty tropical sun. So now to make it cool for 2020.
Jaljeera mix
Jaljeera is a combination of mint, citrus, mango, and some spices. This tangy combination brightens up your tastebuds against the heat dulled brain. Due to the excellent digestive nature of cumin and the herbs, it is a useful digestive aid. Usually, this mix is freshly ground and added to lemonade which is then chilled naturally in the matkas. With the current fast-paced needs, it is great to have this as an instant mix. There are some good ones available in the market, but it is so easy to make at home, so why not!! In the recipe card below, is the detailed instructions.
Now to the current experiment
As the mercury in the southern hemisphere has begun to rise we are slowly moving away from regular tea time to juice times. Since I made a fresh batch of jaljeera mix, the experiment was the way to go. We had a lovely bunch of fresh purple grapes, so here we are with a simple one to share. Grapes are sweet little packets that I rely on a lot as a dessert. With loads of Vit K and C, they are handy and a snack too. get that bunch and keep experimenting. With the leftover grapes, don’t miss to make some grape salsa to over the apple nachos – Click here to snack healthier.
Fresh grapes jaljeera
Make your own jaljeera mix and keep this chilled summer drink ready.
Ingredients
Jaljjeera spice mix ingredients
- 4 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp fennel seed
- 2 cloves
- 1 black cardamom
- 5 tsp dry mint
- 1 tsp dry ginger powder
- 1 tsp amchur ( dry mango powder)
- 1/8 tsp citric acid
- 1/4 tsp Asafoetida powdered
- 1 tsp Rock salt
- 1 tsp black salt
grapes jaljeera ingredients
- 2 cups grapes I used red grapes
- 1 cups ice cubes
- 2 cups drinking water
- 10- 12 mint leaves
Instructions
for the jaljeera spice mix
- Set a heavy pan to medium heat and gently roast, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, cloves and black cardamom till they are fragrant and easy to pulse.
- Cool this and add it to a coffee grinder with dried mint leaves, mango powder, asafoetida, ginger powder, citric acid, rock salt and black salt
- Powder it into a fine mix.
- Sieve so that you get the fine powder. Store this powder in an airtight jar for use as needed.
for the grapes jaljeera beverage
- Into the blender add the grapes, the ice cubes, the water, a tsp of the jaljeera mix and 10-12 mint leaves.
- Blend till they are smooth. Serve in tall glasses ready o a hot day.
Notes
- Add more jaljeera powder if you like a stronger flavour.
- Add a few peppercorns to the jaljeera mix as you roast the spices if you like an aftertaste of spice that lingers on.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Looking for more summer solutions?
I am sure you will find some lovely solutions for the summer heat on the blog. For a quick search, I am leaving you a few of my top ranking summer thirst quenchers.
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- Watermelon sherbet
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- Apricot drink
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- Mango spritzer
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- Chilled Cranberry mors
Click these links for the recipes
As for experimenting, never stop. Stay safe, follow us on Instagram and Pinterest.
Stay safe and see you in the next post.
Absolutely Delicious !! Healthy Refreshing Drink !! Thank You.
I loved your fresh grapes jaljeera recipe. This is one of my favorite summer drinks. looking forward to trying this soon.
Who doesn’t love a great jaljeera. The epic Indian cooling drink. Tart, sweet and so very refreshing.
As I am reading this recipe my mouth is salivating. My family and I love grapes and this would the perfect recipe even for a little pick me up as its already so hot. Lovely share.
That color of the jal jeera from the red grapes is so beautiful! This is the perfect drink for the summer month. It refreshes you right up. I made a small batch last evening. I strained the pulp for my boys but we liked it as is.
Now this drink with grapes turned into jaljeera has taken me for surprise Seema. What a wonderful fusion your have created. Khatta meetha and teekha flavours are sure to tickle my tastebuds. Trying this soon.
I got the jaljeera spice mix ready and unfortunately the weather became just too cold for us to enjoy the drink. However, as soon as it gets warmer, am making this unique drink. Have not tasted grapes jaljeera and so have to try it out.
I am so glad I saw your recipe, we got two punnet of red grapes and one was so sour that we couldn’t eat as it is. Made grapes jaljeera using your recipe and no one noticed that I used those sour grapes. It was so delicious!!
I have never tried grapes jaljeera, this is a new recipe for me. This is such a refreshing drink and perfect for summers. I am so excited to try this.