Jigarthanda is a famous South Indian beverage, particularly popular in the Madurai region of Tamil Nadu. It’s a refreshing drink made with milk, almond gum (badam pisin), sarsaparilla syrup, and ice cream. Here’s a detailed recipe to make Jigarthanda at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chilled milk
- 2 tablespoons almond gum (badam pisin)
- 2 tablespoons sarsaparilla syrup (nannari syrup)
- 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped mixed nuts (optional, for garnish)
- A few strands of saffron (optional, for garnish)
- Rose water (optional, for flavor)
Instructions:
- Soak the almond gum (badam pisin) in water overnight or for at least 6-8 hours until it swells up and becomes soft.
- After soaking, drain the water and rinse the almond gum under running water to remove any impurities.
- In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add the soaked almond gum and cook for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes translucent and soft. Drain and set aside to cool.
- In a serving glass, add a tablespoon of cooked almond gum.
- Add a tablespoon of sarsaparilla syrup (nannari syrup) to the glass. Adjust the amount according to your taste preferences. Sarsaparilla syrup gives Jigarthanda its characteristic flavor.
- Pour chilled milk over the almond gum and syrup mixture in the glass. Leave some space at the top for the ice cream.
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of the milk mixture.
- Optionally, sprinkle some chopped mixed nuts and a few strands of saffron on top of the ice cream for garnish.
- Drizzle a few drops of rose water on top of the ice cream for added flavor, if desired.
- Serve immediately with a spoon and a wide straw for enjoying all the layers of this delicious beverage.
Enjoy your homemade Jigarthanda, a delightful treat perfect for hot summer days or any time you crave a refreshing drink with a unique twist of flavors!
