Some call nimbu pani "instant nirvana,"
others label it as "the drink of the gods,"
while still others consider it "the only drink
of life." Flavored waters such as nimbu pani
are a perfect accompaniment to spicy meals
since they contain fruits known for their
digestive properties. Equivalent to lemonade
in the U.S., nimbu pani is a delicious thirstquencher
made from freshly squeezed
lemons and just the right amount of sugar. It
has a clean and refreshing fl avor without the
sugary aftertaste of carbonated drinks. The
homemade nimbu pani is still one of the most
popular beverages consumed in India.
Ingredients
4 juicy lemons
8 cups water
10 dates, pitted and halved
1/3 cup honey
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Method:
Cut the lemons in half, crosswise, remove
the zest from 6 of the halves and squeeze
out the juice. Slice the remaining lemons into
thin rounds. Place the water and the dates in
a saucepan and gently boil for 10 minutes.
Add the zest and boil for another 2 to 3
minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, stir
in the honey, lemon juice and lemon slices,
and set aside, loosely covered, for 8 to 12
hours. Strain through a muslin-lined sieve.
Served chilled.
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