Once Ramzan month has started there a huge flood of memories for me from the Malabar region. Growing up, Iftar invite was very special. Added to that I was the only vegetarian perhaps on the invite. This often is quite nice coz I really like the spread prepared for me. It made me feel so special. Tharikanji, Pathiri with veggie stew, pazham vatiyathu, unnakaya.. And so many many more. To polish it all of there was ice cold “vattakka juice” (watermelon juice) .
I really cannot imagine an Iftar without dates and watermelon. Though a simple juice the chunks of melon left in the juice brought a crunch and aided the slow eating process after a whole day of fasting. Yes there are days we too have tried to stay fasting too, in support of our dear friends who do fasting. These are the days when I really found solace with the watermelon sherbet.
How does watermelon help when you are fasting?
Watermelon is a fruit which is about 90 percent water and 10 percent of good fibre and minerals. It is a fruit highly recommended for detox. In fact there is even a watermelon detox diet which could be followed. Now being rich in water it is able to replenish the water content which the body needs which could have been lost during the fast in the tropical sun.
In addition watermelon has an amount of lycopene better than tomatoes. Lycopene is heart healthy and very useful in bone health.
Often fasting leads to mobilising the fats. This actually helps in stopping the accumulation of fat cells. The amino acid citrulline levels in watermelon are significant and these help in the reduction of fat cells.
Water melon also helps in muscular pain reduction and inflammation by blocking the enzyme cyclooxygenase. Pretty much like the action of some pain killers.
Now it’s time to get back to the watermelon sherbet. The small amount of fizz, a squeeze of lemon and a tiny amount of blended in basil make this simple punch taste so exotic. So let get on.. Do share in your favorite iftar spread.
Check out more raw recipes at the link below.
Watermelon Sherbet
Ingredients
- 2 cups watermelon cubes
- 10 leaves basil
- 1 tsp Lemon juice
- 1 cup plain soda vanilla soda / fizz
Instructions
- Into the blender add all the ingredients except the soda
- Blend them all together. chill the juice in the refrigerator
- Add the soda and mix well just before serving
- Serve chilled with a sweet basil leaf to garnish.
Nutrition
Calories: 117kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 2gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.04gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 10mgPotassium: 269mgFiber: 1gSugar: 26g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
This watermelon sherbet looks amazing! I make watermelon smoothies but never thought to add basil. I usually use mint leaves.
Please do let me know how basil turned out in your sherbet.
The sherbet looks so inviting !
Thanks Poonam
Very Refreshing and cool watermelon sherbet with a splash of soda is the perfect drink to enjoy on a hot summer day. Beautiful share.
True.. i absolutely adore watermelon
Loved the way you have added basil leaves in the fizzy watermelon sherbet, perfect for this season.
Basil being a herb that heals it makes a lot of difference in the heat
Love watermelon sherbet I will try adding basil leaves next time. Also good info about the nutritional benefits of watermelon!
So glad you like the nutritional info
Lovely and refreshing drink for the summer season.
Yes, i really hope you could try it
Perfect drink for this season. Watermelon sherbet looks so refreshing and delicious. Superb share.
Thankyou Sujatha
Sherbet looks refreshing. I really like the idea of combining basil leaves with it. Can imagine the splash of flavours we would get when we take our first sip.
Ahhh yes, the flavour of basil followed by the sweetness of the melon is wonderful
I totally get the nostalgia here. My best friend since school days is a Muslim and during Iftaar, I was always invited to their place and her mom made bhajiyas for me specially since I was veg that too in separate oil. Though I like the cut watermelons, I prefer the juice a lot and currently with Mumbai heat, I am guzzling down these only instead of lunch. Healthy, detox and skin friendly.
Perfectly in sync, my childhood too. nevertheless it was so much fun
You give me anything made with watermelon..I’m a happy person..this watermelon sherbet is a must try in this summer
Love love watermelon, once Ramadan starts we get plenty here too. Watermelon provides so many health benefits and this sherbet with basil sounds so refreshing and inviting.
Very refreshing and cooling sherbet to beat the summer heat! It looks fabulous 🙂
It’s my goal to include more vegetables and fruits in our diet this Ramadan. Thank you for this refreshing drink recipe – perfect for both sehr and iftar. I love the pairing of watermelon and basil leaves! Wonderful info on health benefits too.
I make watermelon juice once in a week in summer. Looks very refreshing and delicious.
Love the soda part of the drink as the fizz adds something special. The use of basil is new to me and something I must explore. 🙂
This watermelon sherbet looks very cooling. Just the sort of drink required to quench the thirst. I’ve not tried it with plain soda. I will try it with soda next time.
So refreshing and soothing color as well !!! love to drink this sherbat anytime during summer 🙂
Refreshing, cooling and so hydrating! Perfect for summer or just about any time 🙂
So yummy. Good know about watermelon benefits. Lovely pics????
The watermelon sherbet sounds like a wonderful and refreshing drink to try in hot winter days.
My husband and son don’t eat watermelon, so this is the only way I give them watermelon. I add mint leaves to the juice.Next time will try with basil leaves.