shikanji or shikanjvi as we call it at home is a famous & traditional lemonade of north india and pakistan. it is a summer cooler.
we would make shikanji often in the summers and keep on gulping it. we used to make it in bulk and keep in the fridge.
it is so refreshing, plus you get loads of vitamin c in one drink. it is so hot now. i wonder what will happen in may. i guess my whole fridge will be stocked with shikanji 
whilst living in delhi, i would see so many shikanji stalls in the summers. in mumbai too there would be stalls selling nimbu pani. what is the difference between shikanji and nimbu pani? according to me they are same… just different names for the same drink.
the recipe here is the way we make it at home. shikanji is always made with fresh lemon juice and spiced with some black salt and some roasted cumin powder. sugar is also added. so you have a sweet and salty lemony drink with hints of cumin.
black salt is the best salt to be used in shikanji as it gives a punch and the peculiar black salt taste which no other salt can give.
you might also like to check: mint juice, musk melon juice, sweet lime juice and watermelon juice
below i have mentioned shikanji (indian lemonade) recipe details for making two glasses, but you can double and triple the drink.
ingredients
- 1 medium size lemon
- 2 glasses of water
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- rock salt or black salt as required
- sugar as required
- 4-5 mint leaves for garnishing - optional
- a few ice cubes
method:
- cut the lemon in to two.
- take 2 glasses of a water in a bowl
- with a lemon juice squeezer, squeeze the juice directly into the water.
- add black salt, sugar, jeera powder.
- stir till the sugar dissolves.
- pour the shikanji in glasses. add ice cubes. garnish with mint and serve immediately.
- you can also make the shikanji and chill in the fridge and then serve.
my notes
if making for fasting, then add rock salt/sendha namak.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
It will help in hot hoti summer season really
it is my favorite summer drink.
I love it very much..
Can you give an idea of how much sugar to use? I’m sure it’s to taste, but I’d like a ballpark estimate, please? I just have no idea.
hi christine, for one glass if you like a little bit of more sweetness, then 4 tsp of sugar would be fine. so for two glasses, 8 tsp would be alright. for just a sweet taste, 6 tsp of sugar is fine. if you find this less sweet, then add 1 or 2 tsp of more sugar.
Ahh this Shikanjvi reminds me of my Delhi days!! My mum use to give us in summers always…loved your clicks Dassana!
So simple, yet refreshing! Love your presentation:)
It gets that hot here for like 2 weeks in summer.. and then i remember mom’s shikanjvi. ah the fresh burst of cool happiness! love the pictures!
yumm..
that’s perfect to beat the heat in my city =)
LOVE the first photo! Beautiful…
I love unique recipes and this lemonade definitely screams unique flavors. I do not have black salt, but I do have grey salt….will still make it though! Love your pretty pictures!
Such a different lemonade to us in the West — if I can find black salt I’m going to try this when the weather gets hot (probably in August, September, October).