Three weeks ago one fine day, yes, I mean it! I know you are wondering fine and English weather not a good combination, but a big YES! just like today :). It was a beautiful sunny day for almost a week and I was so thrilled to think that finally the spring is here, my tulips have all blossomed beautifully and my little cherry blossom tree is full of pink flowers and all the perennial shrubs are springing back to life. I was literally dancing with joy! Ahem.., don't laugh if you are in this part of the world you would too! I am a fanatic gardener, mean to say I am not an expert but love gardening I try my best to keep all my plants alive (most of the time).
Remember my post when I told you about the wind which took off with my greenhouse and all the pots in it. It destroyed few of my plants and pots, my garden was looking like somebody ransacked my garden with a vengence. Every day I used to stand in my conservatory and cry myself in my heart thinking when is all this going to be set right? Sigh.
All these days I hadn't stepped out to clean up my garden, I hate to go out when it is cold and your hands go freezing. When the sun came up it was like a gold lining on every cloud visible. My conservatory gets too hot when the sun is bright. Anyways I was so excited at last I could clean up my garden did a lot of jobs cleaned out the whole garden got rid of all the weeds and made space for the sprouting plants. Had to bin few pots and sorted out all compose and I have dumped them in a big bin so I can sort it out later, when doing all this I got really thirsty that was when I made this lemonade, I make this often because I love it!, If you taste it you would too.
It brings back memories, it's always going back to our memory lane! something to chew on when you are getting old. The good old memories bring joy, happiness, tenderness and all the sparkle in your eyes right? Just like spring. Amma(mum) used to make this lemonade often made this for us to keep us hydrated. Summer in India is unbearable we get our school holidays just for the kids to stay at home. That's when we need lots and lots to drink, my parents never bought any aerated drinks for us it was always homemade and super healthy with herbs and an Ayurvedic touch to it. This is one such drink which we used to enjoy.
I don't make this lemonade just during summer, but whenever I feel I need some refreshing drink, As I don't drink any aerated drinks very rarely I take a sip or two of coco-cola or a fanta, I always love to drink fresh fruit juices. This reminds me of Banglaore my home town, during summer we have all these shops spring up where they sell fresh fruit juices. So, when I went out I used to go looking for these kinds of shops where we would get fresh fruit juices. I don't get this kind of happiness here, it's always bottled juices in our supermarkets!
Coming back to this recipe, it has a touch of Indian panakam (juice) recipe it's so delicious you will love it, It has also turmeric and ginger which has anti-inflammatory properties, helps you in many ways good for joint pains, osteoporosis, digestion and has many health benefits.
LEMONADE WITH INDIAN SPICES
Recipe Author: Jayasri
Recipe type: Juices/Drinks/Mocktails
Prep time: 10minutes
Time: 20 minutes
Shelf life: 1 month
Serves: 8 to 10
Ingredients:
1 Cup Sugar/1/4 to 1/3 cup of grated Jaggery*
1/2 to 3/4 Cup Lemon/Lime Juice from 10 Lemons/Limes
3'' turmeric stick
2'' Ginger
3 cloves
3 to 4 cardamom pods
3 and 1/2 cups of water
Method:
Using a pestle and mortar or a mixie grind dried turmeric, ginger, cardamom and cloves. (I used my pestle and mortar and crushed all of them). In a vessel take 3 cups of water add the crushed spices and add it to the water and allow it to boil for 10 minutes in a low to medium flame. Then add sugar or Jaggery and boil for another 3 to 4 minutes. Once the sugar dissolves filter everything into another bowl and then allow it cool down completely.
Once it cools down completely add the filtered lemon/lime juice and mix well and store it in an air tight clean bottle and store it in the fridge as it is like a squash you can add water and serve it.
NOTES:
*You can use sugar or Jaggery to make this I have given measurements to my liking you can increase or decrease the sweetness apt to the Lime/Lemons you use.
I have given the shelf life as a month, but I have used it before that.
C you soon with a cold soup stay tuned and enjoy the weather.
Lemonade with a Indian Spices
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Sugar/1/4 to 1/3 cup of grated Jaggery*
- 1/2 to 3/4 Cup Lemon/Lime Juice from 10 Lemons/Limes
- 3 '' turmeric stick
- 2 '' Ginger
- 3 cloves
- 3 to 4 cardamom pods
- 3 and 1/2 cups of water
Instructions
- Using a pestle and mortar or a mixie grind dried turmeric, ginger, cardamom and cloves. (I used my pestle and mortar and crushed all of them). In a vessel take 3 cups of water add the crushed spices and add it to the water and allow it to boil for 10 minutes in a low to medium flame. Then add sugar or Jaggery and boil for another 3 to 4 minutes. Once the sugar dissolves filter everything into another bowl and then allow it cool down completely.
- Once it cools down completely add the filtered lemon/lime juice and mix well and store it in an air tight clean bottle and store it in the fridge as it is like a squash you can add water and serve it.
Notes
Nandita
What an awesome drink Jayasri!!! Loved the way you have styled it!! And that third shot is just too good!!
Jayasri Ravi
Thank you Nandita, you are too generous with your comment
Anusha Praveen
Simply gorgeous and breath taking work here Jay. Awesomeness this post is.
Jayasri Ravi
Thank you so much, Anusha for your lovely comments
Priya Srinivasan
Pictures dragged me here jayasri!! Oh i loved each one of them , never tried adding turmeric to lemonade, will try next time i make it!! 🙂
Jayasri Ravi
Thank you priya, do try it you won't know you have turmeric in it. Thank you for the lovely comment
Richa
These pictures are gorgeous Jayasri! I really really love how you've styled them 🙂 Way to go! I've rated this five.
Jayasri Ravi
Thank you so much Richa, you are a sweet heart, when I think of you, you are just like those pictures. You made my day!!
Dolphia Nandi
Jayashri,
Gorgeous post!! And look how much you've improved in terms of photography - Your pictures are so tempting that I want to try the lemonade. Good job, keep posting nice pictures 🙂
Jayasri Ravi
Dolphi darling, love you loads, you have all been my inspiration and my teachers in my learning curve, I am so thankful to have friends like you. Thank you so much
Kankana
Gorgeous styling!! The outdoor theme suits perfectly for the drink 🙂
Jayasri Ravi
Thank you Kankana, you have been one of my favourite photographer of all times and I follow you and love your styling getting a compliment from you is pure bliss
Sanjeeta kk
Brilliant pictures Jayasri! Love the natural colours and the lighting in each picture. Have to try this summer cooler.
Jayasri Ravi
Thank you Sanjeeta, yeah sure do try I love it, my mom's recipe. Getting a tap on my shoulder from a photographer like you is pure encouragement and thanks for the appreciation.
Meeta
A fantastic post Jaya! Now I need the weather to heat up here and then I will have to make this soon.
Jayasri Ravi
Meeta, you made my day I can't believe this! I am so delighted and to hear from a fantastic, one of my favourite photographer giving me a compliment is something to treasure. Thank you for taking time to visit my space
Charul Ajmera
Jayasri, wow!!! What pictures. When I saw the first one I thought this one is the best but as I scrolled down, all of them are beautiful. I especially love the turmeric one. Superb.
Jayasri Ravi
Charul, oh! (blushing) you are kind to say these, thank you so much for such a wonderful comment
Simi Jois
Love this post, the image of the refreshen drink in the garden looks so inviting. Absolutely gorgeous!!! I just loved the natural look <3
Jayasri Ravi
Thank you Simi, you are so lovely. Thanks for all the tips you gave me to perfect this click.
Sireesha
Beautiful pictures dear!
Love the fresh look !
Jayasri Ravi
OH! my is it something we have for each other, can you believe I just thought of you few minutes back, as I had some problem with my site, thought I need you but, tried sorting it out on my own! and here you are loads of love and hugs. Thank you so much
Rafeeda @ The Big Sweet Tooth
Amazing amazing pics Jeyasri chechi... That first picture makes me feel like I am sitting in your courtyard and sipping on that cold spiced lemonade... Too good!
Jayasri Ravi
Rafeeda you are the most wonderful person to have as a friend, you are always there for me, thank you so much for all your lovely words, you made my day!thank you
Sandhya Hariharan
What a gorgeous set of pictures.... Jayasri... Loved them all. Oh !! tell me all about the British weather... It was snowing partially and we had some sleet too day before yesterday.
Jayasri Ravi
Thank you Sandhya, I wanted to ask you and here you are :), yes, we too had snow and sleet!, and feeling cold again to switch on the heaters!
Subhasmita Panigrahi
omg.. Breathtaking pictures Jayasri. Each of them are so unique.
Jayasri Ravi
Subhasmita, I am blessed to have friends like you, thank you so much that was quick, learning from you all is what I have done today