The perfect homemade nimbu pani (aka Indian lemonade). Have a tall glass of this chilled nimbu sharbat on hot summer days and it gives you instant energy. It feels so cooling and refreshing to your body.
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❤️About This Recipe
Health benefits of nimbu pani:
- Helps to fight against heat stroke during hot summer days.
- Helps to rehydrate your body.
- Restores the body salt after exercise or any physical activity. (that’s why perfect to serve kids after summer outdoor playtime).
- It’s a good source of vitamin C.
Nimbu means lemon and pani means water. So it literally means lemon water (aka lemonade). This is Indian lemonade. Nimbu is known as ‘limbu’ in some parts of India, so it is also known as limbu pani (or sharbat).
Healthy summer drink: Even though nimbu pani has sugar in it, it is a much better option compared to other carbonated or sugar-loaded store-bought juices.
Different versions: Every region of India have their version. In the Northern part of India, there is a drink called shikanji which is a spiced version of this sharbat. Some add mint leaves, some just make with salt, sugar, lemon, and water only.
🧾Ingredient Notes
- Lemons: Make sure the lemons are at room temperature, so you get the maximum juice out of them.
- Sugar: Traditionally white sugar is used. But you can use maple sugar, coconut sugar, etc.
- Water: Use the chilled water to make nimbu pani.
- Black salt (kala namak): It adds a nice zing and taste to the drink. There is no substitute for this ingredient. If you don’t have it then skip it.
👩🍳Step By Step Photo Instructions
- Place a strainer over the large bowl or a large measuring cup. Start juicing lemon over the strainer so it catches all the seeds and pulp.
- Discard the seeds and pulp. Instead, you can use citrus juice to get lemon juice.
- Add sugar.
- Add black salt.
- Add regular salt.
- Add water and stir, stir, stir until sugar dissolves in the water completely. Pour into the serving glass (add ice cubes if needed) and serve.
💭Expert Tips
- Depending on the sugar type, the color of the nimbu pani may vary. Here I have used maple sugar hence this color. If you have used white sugar then you’ll get the clear drink.
- Always use chilled water to get an instant chilled drink.
- Fresh lemon juice is the best choice. But in a pinch, you can use store-bought bottled lemon juice. If so, the flavor and taste will be different but manageable.
- You can make it ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator. Whenever you come home from the outside heat, have a glass of it and refresh yourself.
Check Out Other Summer Indian Drinks
Did you try this nimbu pani recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Click here to leave a review.
📋 Recipe Card
Nimbu Pani (Sharbat)
Ingredients
- 3-4 tablespoons Lemon juice ~ from 1 extra large lemon
- 2 tablespoons Sugar
- Salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Black salt (kala namak)
- 2 ½ cups Chilled water
- 5-6 Ice cubes optional
- few Mint leaves for garnishing
Instructions
- Place a strainer over the large bowl or a large measuring cup. Start juicing lemon over the strainer so it catches all the seeds and pulp.
- Discard the seeds and pulp. Instead, you can use citrus juice to get lemon juice.
- Add sugar, black salt, regular salt and water
- Stir, stir, stir until sugar dissolves in the water completely. It will take a few minutes.
- Pour into the serving glass (add ice cubes if needed) and serve.
Notes
- Depending on the sugar type, the color of the nimbu pani may vary. Here I have used maple sugar hence this color. If you have used white sugar then you’ll get the clear drink.
- Always use chilled water to get an instant chilled drink.
- Fresh lemon juice is the best choice. But in a pinch, you can use store-bought bottled lemon juice. If so, the flavor and taste will be different but manageable.
- You can make it ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator. Whenever you come home from the outside heat, have a glass of it and refresh yourself.
Tamala
Good day! I'm trying to find out more on your nimbu pain. Can a different salt be used if you don't have black salt. I use the pink Himalayan salt. Can I use this instead? And, Is it more than one salt being used in your recipe? And if you don't have honey or maple syrup can cane sugar be used to sweeten? Thanks for your time and attention in advance.
Tamala
Kanan Patel
Black salt (Kala namak in Hindi) has pungent and smokey flavor with a slight salty tangy taste. This cannot be replaced with any other salt.
If you don't have black salt then you can skip it.
You can use pink Himalayan salt instead of regular salt.
Yes, regular cane sugar is good here.
Amelie Moore
My mouth is watering just reading this and looking at the pics. Now that that the weather is getting hotter, this sounds like perfect comfort drink after a long day.
Kanan
Yes perfect for hot summer days. Enjoy!!