jigarthanda, summer drink, indian mocktails, jigarthanda recipe, easy body cooling drink recipe

Jigarthanda – Perfect drink for Summer

One of my favorite soul soothing drinks is Jigarthanda – perfect drink for summer. This is that one drink we prepare most often at home during summers. The coolness and benefits of this drink are endless. C’mon today let’s discuss all this along with the recipe. How excited are you?

Jigarthanda – perfect drink for summer

jigarthanda, summer drink, indian mocktails, jigarthanda recipe, easy body cooling drink recipe

I remember visiting my grandparents house in summers and my granny used to lovingly prepare this magical drink Jigarthanda. Me and my cousins used to fight for more glasses of Jigarthanda and we even used to have competitions among ourselves as to who will drink more of it. I have been in love with it ever since. It’s not only delicious but healthy to a great extent. I swear it makes your summer much bearable.

History of this Summer Drink

For the longest time I used to think that Jigarthanda is a south Indian drink. Because whenever I used to inquire about this with my north Indian friends, they had no idea what it was. I started digging into the history and found out that this amazing summer drink dates back to the time when Mughals had started settling in India. Also there’s a reason why this drink is pretty famous in South India. The reason is Jigarthanda was first started in a small shop at South Masi Street junction, Madurai by Amanullah and his three brothers. Their business boomed in no time and the business was at its peak during summers. Soon the recipe spread across and somehow became a summer drink. That’s a cute story. Isn’t it?

 

Now that we know the history, let us know some of the benefits of this as well. Firstly, if we look at the translation, Jigar means ‘heart’ and thanda means cool. That explains the most important benefit – it keeps your body cool during summer. Summers drain our energy and keeping our body cool and hydrated is essential. And, Jigarthanda does that job seamlessly. 

 

Jigarthanda has a very unique ingredient named Almond Gum in English, Badam pisin in Tamil and Badam Gondh in Hindi. Almond gum is the best coolant in summer and are rich in Anti-oxidant. It’s extracted from Sweet Almond tree. We get it as hard rock. It has to be soaked overnight or at least 4 hours to use in recipes. Once soaked it will look transparent in color like in the below picture. You can buy it in Departmental stores in Tamil Nadu or on Amazon!

jigarthanda, summer drink, indian mocktails, jigarthanda recipe, easy body cooling drink recipe

Now that you know all this about my favorite drink, I know you are very eager to know the recipe. So, without further ado, let’s get into the recipe. Hope you enjoy it!

 

Here are some more summer recipes that you would absolutely love:

 

Jigarthanda - Perfect drink for Summer

If you are in search of a delicious, Jigarthanda - perfect drink for summer is a must try. Keeps you hydrated and cools your body!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Drinks

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 liter Full cream Milk
  • 1 tbsp Almond Gum/ Badam Pisin/ Badam gondh
  • 1 liter Milk (for serving)
  • 1/4 cup Mawa
  • 2 tbsp Nanari Syrup
  • 1/3 cup Sugar
  • 1 tub Vanilla Ice cream

Instructions
 

  • Soak the almond gum in water overnight. Store it in fridge until use.
  • In a heavy bottom pan, bring 1/2 liter full cream milk to boil.
  • Keep collecting malai on the side of the pan.
  • Let the milk reduce to 1/4 th of the quantity.
  • Once it's done, chill it for 2 hours.
  • Chill milk for at least 2 hours.
  • Put it together just before serving.
  • Add Sugar to chilled milk. Mix till dissolved.
  • Add in mawa, 1 tsp softened almond gum, 2 tbsp thick malai milk and nanari syrup.
  • Mix it well and top it with Ice cream.
  • Enjoy on a sunny day!!
Keyword Cool Drinks
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