In northern India, where the thermostat can hit well into the 100s on a summer day, a whole host of drinks are sold on the streets and in cafés to beat the heat. Many of these include copious spice, which induces the perspiration that cools you down; this bubbly limeade gets a spicy kick from a pinch of coarsely ground black pepper. With its lip-smacking tang, it's the perfect refresher to combat the summer heat. This recipe first appeared as part of the digital edition of our August/September 2014 special India issue.
Nimbu Pani (Lime Juice with Seltzer, Black Pepper, and Sugar)
This bubbly limeade from the north of India gets a spicy kick from a pinch of coarsely ground black pepper.
Yield: serves 2-4
Ingredients
- 1⁄2 cup fresh lime juice
- 1⁄2 cup sugar
- 1 liter seltzer, chilled
- 1⁄2 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
- 1⁄2 tsp. kosher salt
Instructions
- Whisk lime juice and sugar in a pitcher until sugar is dissolved. Stir in seltzer, pepper, and salt; serve in ice-filled glasses.
