Berry Nimbu Pani (Indian Strawberry Lemonade Recipe) – This sweet and salty citrus drink Nimbu Pani is astonishingly refreshing, and the salt intensifies the lemon or lime flavor.

Glasses full of the tasty and refreshing berry nimbu pani

Traveling to Find Nimbu Pani

Through my teen years, I traveled abroad extensively. Every summer break I was off gallivanting through China, Cameroon, Thailand, and on several occasions India. These summer mission efforts involved a lot of sweaty work and hard floors to sleep on. Yet they also produced an invaluable work ethic, a great deal of fun, and truly adventurous meals.

On these trips, eating guidelines were always set in place to keep our team healthy. The basic rules were:

Only eat fully cooked vegetables and meats.

Only eat fruit with a very thick peel.

And Rule #1, Don’t Drink the Water… EVER. (Only sealed bottled water was allowed.)

One summer, we lived in a remote Indian village with no bottled water for sale. Luckily I had purchased a high-tech camping water purifier and was able to pump MUD from a water-buffalo pond into clean crisp drinking water. Our only alternative was to boil the mud and add iodine tablets–Phlck! That was probably the best $200 I ever spent.

The “water rule” was also bent at the Indian markets, for a refreshing glass of Nimbu Pani.

Indian lemon water recipe based off of personal travels

What Is Nimbu Pani?

Nimbu Pani is the Indian version of lemonade (or often Limeade,) so of course, it contains lemon or lime, sugar, and WATER. Nimbu Pani also has a special ingredient that takes it a step beyond plain old lemonade, salt. This sweet and salty citrus drink is astonishingly refreshing and the salt intensifies the lemon or lime flavor. It’s an extremely popular street beverage; only overshadowed by Indian’s beverage-of-choice, Chai.

I consumed quite a few Nimbu Pani in the three summers I spent in India. Often I would stand drinking this lemonade out of dingy communal glasses next to a rickety street cart. What can I say, I like to live on the wild side. In the blistering Indian heat, conventional wisdom (and thoughts of parasites) were clouded by this sweet invigorating drink.

Nimbu Pani is something I crave each year as the weather warms up. It’s zingy essence brings back priceless memories of bustling streets, rickshaws, and old friends.

Today I’ve made Nimbu Pani with lime juice; then muddled strawberries and blackberries into the mix for a bright and zippy spring-time beverage. Its intense and alluring flavors will have you muddling and squeezing limes all season! Plus, it’s much more fun to say “Nimbu Pani,” than salty berry limeade! *wink*

The bright and refreshing strawberry lemonade based form india

How To Make Lemon Water

What Ingredients You Will Need 

  • Water
  • Sugar
  • Salt
  • Seltzer Water
  • Juicy Limes
  • Fresh Strawberries or blackberries

Step by Step Instructions 

  1. In a small saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups water with the sugar and salt. Heat over medium high until the sugar and salt dissolve into a sweet and salty simple syrup. Place in the fridge to cool. Make a little over 2 cups.
  2. Muddle (smash to smithereens) the berries in the bottom of a pitcher.
  3. Squeeze the limes into a pitcher and add the chilled simple syrup. Pour in the addition water of seltzer water and stir.

Get the Full (Printable) Berry Nimbu Pani (Indian Strawberry Lemonade Recipe) Below. Enjoy!

You can use blackberries to top your nimbu pani as well

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why Is It Called Nimbu Pani?

Nimbu Pani. Translation: Lemon Water. Pronunciation: Nim-boo Paw-nee. Verdict: Poppy and Refreshing.

Can I Store Leftovers In The Fridge?

I would not suggest leaving it to drink for another day because the berries can separate in the beverage. But you can pour what is leftover into some popsicle molds and freeze them for a nice refreshing frozen treat! 

Other Great Refreshing Beverages

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Berry Nimbu Pani (Indian Strawberry Lemonade Recipe)

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
This sweet and salty citrus drink Nimbu Pani is astonishingly refreshing, and the salt intensifies the lemon or lime flavor.
Servings: 4 pints

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 3/4 teaspoons salt
  • 6 cups water or seltzer water
  • 6 juicy limes
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries or blackberries

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups water with the sugar and salt. Heat over medium high until the sugar and salt dissolve into a sweet and salty simple syrup. Place in the fridge to cool. Make a little over 2 cups.
  • Muddle (smash to smithereens) the berries in the bottom of a pitcher.
  • Squeeze the limes into a pitcher and add the chilled simple syrup. Pour in the addition water of seltzer water and stir.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 332kcal, Carbohydrates: 88g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1044mg, Potassium: 158mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 78g, Vitamin A: 50IU, Vitamin C: 50.4mg, Calcium: 53mg, Iron: 0.8mg
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American, Indian
Author: Sommer Collier
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