Solkadhi Recipe | Solkadi (Kokum Curry)

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Solkadhi recipe (also known as solkadi, sol kadhi, kokum kadhi or kokum curry) is an essential drink for cooling the body during blistering Goan summers. This mauve-hued, tart digestive beverage is easy to make, and takes just 10 minutes of active time to prepare.

three clear glasses of solkadhi on a pink napkin.

About Solkadhi

Next time you are in Goa, go to any proper, local indigenous restaurants that serve Goan food. Have any thali there – veg, fish or non-veg thali – and on the plate you will see a dark pink colored drink in a small glass or a small bowl (vati). That, my friends, is the kokum curry.

Also known as solkadi, this beverage is an important part of Goan, Konkan and Malvani cuisine. It has both cooling and digestive properties, making it a perfect counter to the heavily spiced dishes of the Western Coastal Indian cuisines. Kokum curry has a sour taste similar to buttermilk or a Chaas, but with more savory undertones.

As with most Indian recipes, there are almost as many ways to make solkadi. It can be made with or without coconut milk, but today I am posting my mom’s recipe of kokum kadhi made with coconut milk.

My mom’s recipe is a unique one and is much loved in my family and I couldn’t resist sharing it with you. Coconut milk does reduce some of the tart flavor of kokum, but not too much.

My Mom’s solkadhi recipe is a nice blend of mildly sweet coconut milk, sour kokum and tempered Indian spices. I should note that we always temper the curry with a few spices and herbs, but this step can be skipped and is not essential.

At home I serve solkadi with rice and a curried bean dish like Usal, or a vegetable curry like the Goan Curry. I simply love it this way! You can also drink it after your lunch meal if you prefer, as it aids in the digestion of food and keeps your body cool.

What is Kokum

For all those who have never had kokum in their lives, please try this marvelous Indian fruit; it is amazing!

Kokum – also known as Garcinia indica – is a fruit bearing plant from the mangosteen family. The plant yields dark red colored fruit that are both sweet and sour. As kids, we would have the kokum fruits (photo below) with salt as a midday snack.

fresh kokum fruit on a white napkin.

To get the ingredient we know as kokum or aamsol, the outer flesh of the fruit is dried in the sun. After drying, they turn blackish purple in color. These dried fruits are sour to taste and have a sweetish aroma.

dried kokum aamsol on a white plate.

The anthocyanins in the fruit add a dark purple hue to any dish that you add it to, including the purple-pink hue of this kokum curry.

Kokum is used in Goan and Malvan fish or prawn curries as a souring agent. It is also used in the Maharashtrian, Gujarati and Kerala cuisine. One of my favorite recipes using this Indian fruit is known as Kokum Juice.

This amazing fruit is used to rid the body of heat, and also serves to reduce the pitta dosha as per Ayurdeda. Kokum is also good for digestion, as well as helps in reducing itchiness from heat rash.

Actually it is very easy to get kokum if you stay in the southern parts and western coast of India. But if you stay in the north, then you can buy them online.

When living in Delhi, I had a tough time finding kokum anywhere (in the days when online stores and buying was not even heard of), especially when the Delhi heat used to be at its peak.

overhead shot of 3 glasses of solkadhi on a pink background.

It really surprises me why they are not sold in the northern and central regions of India where the heat is such a killer. The kokum fruit is so good as a summer cooler. May be its got to do with the taste habits of people. There are many things from the North of India that I don’t get to buy in Goa and vice versa.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Solkadhi

Making solkadhi recipe at home is really quite simple. Aside from the requisite soaking time, the whole recipe takes just 10 minutes to assemble when using canned or packaged coconut milk.

If you plan to make homemade coconut milk, then add in some more 10 to 15 minutes to your prep time.

Soak and Crush Kokum

1. Rinse 12 kokums under cool water. Place them in a bowl and add 1 cup water.

dried kokums added to water.

2. Soak the kokums in the water for 30 minutes.

soaking kokums in water for making solkadhi.

3. After 30 minutes, completely crush and squeeze kokum in the water by using your fingers.

crushing and mashing the kokum flesh under water with fingers.

4. Pour the kokum extract in a strainer placed atop a bowl.

straining kokum extract for making sol kadhi recipe.

5. The kokum shreds will collect in the strainer.

pouring the kokum soak through a mesh strainer.

6. Press the kokum shreds with a spoon to extract as much flavor as possible.

pressing kokum pulp with the back of a spoon through a mesh strainer to get all of the sour extract.

Make Solkadhi

7. Then add 2 cups water to the kokum extract.

adding water to kokum extract.

8. Next add 1 to 1.5 cups thick coconut milk. You can either make the coconut milk or use canned coconut milk.

NOTE: Always use thick coconut milk and not lite or thin coconut milk when making sol kadi. The lite coconut milk can curdle and separate after mixing with the kokum extract.

If you plan to make your own homemade coconut milk, then use the first extract only. Do not use coconut milk made from coconut powder as this can also curdle it as soon as you add it to the kokum extract.

coconut milk added to kokum extract for making sol kadhi recipe.

9. Mix very well.

kokum curry prior to adding tempering.

10. Add salt to taste and mix again. Keep the kokum kadhi aside so that we prepare the tempering.

adding salt to sol kadhi recipe.

Make Tempering

11. Heat 1.5 tablespoons oil in a tadka pan or a small frying pan. Keep the heat to a low. Use any neutral tasting oil.

hot oil in a tadka pan.

12. Add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds.

mustard seeds added to oil.

13. Let them crackle.

mustard seeds crackling in oil for making solkadi recipe.

14. Then add 1 teaspoon cumin seeds and let them crackle too.

cumin seeds added to tempering.

15. Lastly add the below listed spices and herbs:

  • 1 sprig curry leaves or 9 to 10 curry leaves
  • 1 to 2 dry red chilies (broken and seeds removed)
  • 2 to 3 lightly crushed small to medium-sized crushed garlic cloves (with or without peels) – You can crush the garlic cloves in a mortar-pestle.
  • 1 generous pinch of asafoetida powder (hing)

Stirring gently and often, fry for 30 seconds or so, till the garlic turns light golden.

frying herbs, spices in the tadka pan.

Assemble Solkadi

16. Quickly pour the tempering on the kokum and coconut milk mixture.

spooning the tempering onto solkadhi recipe.

17. Mix well.

tempered spices with oil floating in the sol kadhi in the bowl.

18. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of finely chopped coriander leaves to the solkadi and mix again.

solkadhi after adding tempering and coriander.

19. Serve solkadhi straight away, or refrigerate and then serve cold. You can garnish solkadi with coriander leaves before serving.

three clear glasses of kokum kadhi on a pink napkin.

Tips & Tricks

This solkadhi recipe is very easy, and should only take about 10 minutes of active time. That said, I’ve learned some important lessons along the way:

  • To make kokum kadhi more quickly, use ready-made canned coconut milk. If you make your own coconut milk, add an extra 10 to 15 minutes to the recipe time.
  • Get all the flavor out! Straining and squeezing the kokum completely should not be rushed. Be sure to press on the soaked kokum shreds in the strainer to get all the beautifully sour pinkish red colored kokum extract out of the fruit.
  • You can serve sol kadhi immediately after tempering, or else can be refrigerated first. The coconut milk get spoiled in the hot weather, so please be sure to refrigerate the kokum curry for a couple of hours. Try to consume the curry the same day and do not keep any leftovers in the fridge for the next day.
  • Plan ahead! You can make the kokum extract with water and refrigerate it for a few hours or a day before you add the coconut milk and the tempered spices and herbs.

FAQs

How can I make my sol kadhi less sour?

Simply add more coconut milk to taste! The naturally sweet, creamy flavor of the coconut helps to balance out the tart flavor of the kokum.

Where can I buy kokum?

Depending on where you live, this fruit may be a bit difficult to procure. I suggest that if you can’t find it in stores near you, you try looking online.

Can I make solkadhi recipe ahead of time?

No! This kokum curry recipe is best enjoyed as soon as it is made or on the same day. Refrigerate it for a few hours after you make it. But do not keep any leftovers for the next day in the fridge.

More Indian Cooling Drinks!

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three clear glasses of kokum kadhi on a pink napkin.

Solkadhi Recipe | Solkadi (Kokum Curry)

Solkadhi (also known as solkadi, sol kadhi, kokum kadhi or kokum curry) is a cooling drink best had during hot summers. This mauve-hued, tart digestive beverage from the Goan cuisine is easy to make.
4.18 from 23 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Soaking Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Cuisine Goan, Indian
Course Beverages
Diet Vegan
Difficulty Level Easy
Servings 4
Units

Ingredients

For the solkadi

  • 12 kokums – dried
  • 1 cup water – for soaking
  • 2 cups water – to be added later
  • 1 to 1.5 cups Coconut Milk (Thick) or half-half of thick coconut milk and thin coconut milk
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves – for garnish
  • salt as required

For tempering

  • 1 to 1.5 tablespoons oil – any neutral oil
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 sprig curry leaves or 9 to 10 curry leaves
  • 1 generous pinch asafoetida
  • 2 to 3 small to medium garlic cloves – slightly crushed
  • 1 to 2 dry kashmiri red chilies – halved and seeds removed

Instructions
 

Soaking kokum

  • Rinse kokums lightly in water. Place them in a bowl and add 1 cup water.
  • Soak the kokums in the water for 30 minutes.

Crushing kokum

  • After 30 minutes, crush and squeeze kokum completely with your fingers in the water itself.
  • Pour the kokum extract in a strainer. Keep a bowl beneath the strainer.
  • The kokum shreds will collect in the strainer.
  • Press the kokum shreds with a spoon so that the kokum flavors are extracted well.

Making sol kadhi

  • Then add 2 cups water to the kokum extract.
  • Next add 1 cup thick coconut milk – either make homemade coconut milk or use the canned or packaged one. You can also add 1.5 cups of coconut milk. Mix very well.
  • Add salt as per taste. Mix again well. Keep aside so that we prepare the tempering.

Making tempering

  • Heat oil in a tadka pan or a small frying pan. Keep heat to a low.
  • Add mustard seeds. Let them crackle.
  • Then add cumin seeds and let them crackle too.
  • Lastly add the curry leaves, dry red chilies (broken and seeds removed), lightly crushed garlic cloves (with or without peels) and a generous pinch of asafoetida powder. You can crush the garlic cloves in a mortar-pestle and set them aside before you prepare the tempering
  • Fry for some seconds stirring often till the garlic turns light golden. Quickly pour this tempering on the kokum and coconut milk mixture. Mix well.
  • Then add the finely chopped coriander leaves to sol kadi and mix again.
  • Serve sol kadhi straight way or refrigerate for a few hours and then serve cold. You can garnish solkadhi with coriander leaves before serving. Do not keep at room temperature as the coconut milk can turn rancid.
    Do not keep any leftovers in the fridge for the next day and try to consume the beverage on the same day. Coconut milk get rancid easily even after refrigeration for a day, so try to finish the drink the same day.

Notes

To make coconut milk:
Ingredients:
  • 1 cup grated coconut and ½ to ¾ cup water.
Method:
  1. Grind the grated coconut with water and squeeze out the thick milk with a strainer.
  2. Add the extracted coconut again back to the grinder. Add some water and then make the thin milk. Strain again and squeeze the coconut completely.
  3. You can add both the thick and thin milk to the kokum extract.
Tips:
  • Make the solkadhi less sour: Simply add some more coconut milk to balance the sour taste of kokum.
  • Coconut Milk: Remember to use thick coconut milk and not lite or thin coconut milk. For homemade coconut milk, use the first extract or the first blend. Do not use coconut milk made from coconut powder as this will curdle the coconut milk. 
  • Spice Variations: Instead of dry red chillies, you can add 1 green chilli, chopped or slit. Skip out the asafoetida for a gluten-free drink.
  • Scaling: The recipe is easily scalable. Make half portion or double the recipe as needed.

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Solkadhi Recipe | Solkadi (Kokum Curry)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 346 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 4g
Sodium 330mg14%
Potassium 183mg5%
Carbohydrates 51g17%
Fiber 16g67%
Sugar 31g34%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 366IU7%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 29mg145%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin C 89mg108%
Vitamin E 2mg13%
Vitamin K 2µg2%
Calcium 69mg7%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 306µg77%
Iron 4mg22%
Magnesium 36mg9%
Phosphorus 71mg7%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This solkadhi recipe from the blog archives first published in March 2012 has been republished and updated on 15 January 2022.

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Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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43 Comments

  1. How can i preserve solkadhi for 7 days? Which preservative can be added to it?

    1. I don’t think you can preserve it for 7 days. The coconut milk in it will get rancid in a few days even when refrigerated.

  2. Thanks, Dasna,
    I love solkadhi so much , but was not sure about ingredients, since long I was trying but it was not giving that taste, which I longed for, My family is in Toronto , Canada and do travel lot , some times I get tiered of hotel food and try my hand
    at gastove, thanks again.
    Dr Anil Datey.

    1. thank you Dr Anil. i hope you like the solkadhi recipe when you make it. welcome.

  3. Hi! After reading the recipe i bought kokum but did not realise it was a wet kokum. Can i still use it?

    1. maggi coconut milk powder won’t give you a good taste and flavor. i have used coconut milk powder before and it does not even come close to the real taste of kokum curry.

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