Kokum Sharbat is a delightful Indian beverage made from kokum, a tangy fruit rich in antioxidants. This refreshing drink is prepared by simmering dried kokum petals in water until the liquid turns deep red. Sugar is then added to sweeten the kokum concentrate, which is later mixed with water, ice, roasted cumin powder, and black salt. Kokum Sharbat offers a unique blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, making it a popular choice for cooling down during hot summer days. Garnished with fresh mint leaves, it’s not just a thirst-quencher but also a rejuvenating treat for the senses.
Here’s a detailed recipe for making Kokum Sharbat:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried kokum petals
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup sugar (adjust according to taste)
- 1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black salt
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
- Add the dried kokum petals to the boiling water.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the kokum petals simmer in the water for about 10-15 minutes. This allows the water to turn deep red and the kokum petals to soften.
- Once the water has turned deep red and the kokum petals have softened, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the kokum mixture to cool down to room temperature.
- Once cooled, strain the kokum mixture through a fine mesh sieve into another container. Use a spoon to press the kokum petals against the sieve to extract all the juice. Discard the kokum petals.
- Transfer the strained kokum concentrate back to the saucepan.
- Add sugar to the kokum concentrate in the saucepan.
- Place the saucepan back on the stove over low heat and stir continuously until the sugar has completely dissolved into the kokum concentrate. This will create a sweetened kokum syrup.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the kokum syrup cool down completely.
- Once cooled, transfer the kokum syrup to a glass bottle or jar for storage.
- To serve, fill a glass with ice cubes.
- Pour kokum syrup over the ice cubes, leaving some space at the top of the glass.
- Add water to the glass according to taste. Start with about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water and adjust as needed.
- Sprinkle roasted cumin powder and black salt over the kokum sharbat in the glass.
- Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired.
- Serve chilled and enjoy the refreshing and tangy flavor of Kokum Sharbat!
Note: You can adjust the amount of sugar and water according to your taste preferences. Some people prefer a sweeter sharbat, while others prefer it more tangy. Similarly, adjust the quantity of roasted cumin powder and black salt to suit your taste.
