It was the name-“Kuluki sarbath” which caught us on to the recipe. I had never heard of this all my childhood in Kerala and I had a dozen people asking me what it is!!
We just had sarbath, nanari sarbath or naranga soda as children. I hardly remember having this at the “petikada ” ( a small wayside convenience shop) on the way to the “Thali temple” with my dad. Again, I was watching something about Kerala on the television, when this name was mentioned. Strangely it caught on to my head as a bug. Simply, had to know what happens when you just got to shake a lemonade… 😀
Well, that was for first impressions.
Slowly we realised the recipe flavour is very different from a simple juiced up lime or lemonade. All that vigorous shaking, the jelly-like soaked basil seeds and the slit chillies imparting a faint aroma and tickle at the back of your throat with a masked heat makes it all a different experience. No wonder people are talking about it!!
Now to the video
With the help of my youtube channel director (my oldest) we have been uploading a few videos on youtube when time permits. This experiment with the Kulukki sarbath was a fun one. We couldn’t miss to capture it. Though the video as you can watch is a naive one was so fun to shoot, coz with all the shaking…..it was peels of laughter in the background trying to get the footage. The video is also special to us coz this is the last one we did before leaving Malaysia.
Back to the present
Since it is summer a chilled Kulukki sarbath is a must try. Don’t miss the simple pleasures of all the colourful ones in the market.
Oh! Before you leave, if you are visiting kerala..try one for me, will you?
And please don’t miss mangoes… for it is the mango heaven.
Please do subscribe to the youtube channel after all it is our learning experience so we will love to hear how you feel about it.
Here are a few more which you may like to try for the summer.
Kulukki sarbath
the summer shaken one from Kerala
Ingredients
- 1 medium lime
- 2 cups drinking water chilled
- 2-3 tbsp unrefined sugar
- 2 green chilli slightly slit to impart the aroma
- 1 tsp basil seeds soaked in 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Soak the sabja seeds in 1/4 cup of water for15 minutes till the jelly around it fluffs up.
- Meanwhile, juice up the lime
- Add the sugar, juiced up lime and chilled water to a mason jar with a tight fitting lid.
- Add in the slit chillies and a tsp of basil seeds to the liquid mix
- Close the lid tight and shake well for about 5-7 minutes ( good workout). till the sugar dissolves.
- Serve immediately adding more basil seeds.
- Cheers.
Notes
You can swap the basil seeds for chia seeds. Add up a few bits of pineapple or raw mango with a few slithers of ginger for a change of flavour.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Perfect combination of flavours- sweet, spicy and tangy.
Thankyou, yes it is really a wonderful recipe
The sharbat looks so healthy and refreshing just perfect for summers, the Basil seeds cools the body, lovely share.
Kulukki sarbath sounds like a prefect thristy quencher for hot summer days. Beautiful drink.
Sounds so refreshing and delicious..first when I read this name Kulukki I thought maybe it’s a leaf found in Kerala but when I found the recipe I was so surprised that it’s really easy recipe..no other fancy ingredients used, bookmarked !!
Kulukki sarbath is new to me. Looks so refreshing and delicious. Perfect for this hot weather.
Even I never had this sarbath ..but the name is so interesting that makes me to try this… looks refreshing
I love the description and this post again has brought out the nostalgic memories of your childhood, which is always a pleasure to read. Growing up, we had a simple life and simple food to eat – Such pleasures were only when we went for a visit once a week or so, with limited budget. Such joys of life I tell you! I am eager to check the you tube video that you have mentioned about with peels of laughter. Would be certainly fun to see how the process is done. Great share Seema, loved the cooling drink.
Such a simple sarbath! I love soda-based drinks. The zing is much appreciated.
Even the name is so tempting! Totally appropriate for such a yummy and refreshing drink. The addition of basil seeds would keep one hydrated for a longer time in hot weather.
Very interesting combination of lime and green chilli! Fabulous!
Feel like having now… Looks so refreshing and perfect share for this season !
Lovely and healthy combo! Looks so refreshing and flavorful!
Perfect cooling & refreshing Summer drink will lovely flavours….This one has brought back nostalgic memories of my childhood days….Loved it 🙂
Such a nutritious and delicious sharbat for hot days!
Perfect for summers. Those basil seeds are known to have a cooling effect on the body..
The sharbt looks like desi version of chia agua fresca. Must have been refreshing and perfect for the weather in India.
This drink was hugely popular on several blogs last year and I made it too! But could not click decent pics to post for the blog. Will be making it this summer. It is indeed a refreshing drink!
The drink sounds flavorful and refreshing !