Berry Nimbu Pani (Indian Strawberry Lemonade Recipe)
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.
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.
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*
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
- 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.
Get the Full (Printable) Berry Nimbu Pani (Indian Strawberry Lemonade Recipe) Below. Enjoy!
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!Â
Other Great Refreshing Beverages
- Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice Recipe
- How To Make The Best Orange Julius Recipe
- Chickfila Frosted Lemonade Recipe (Frozen Lemonade)
- How To Make Horchata Recipe
- How To Make Sweet Tea Recipe
- Frozen Lemonade with Pineapple Recipe
- How To Make Agua Fresca Recipe
Berry Nimbu Pani (Indian Strawberry Lemonade Recipe)
Ingredients
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.
That is one stunning cocktail. Almost too pretty to drink!
Gorgeous photos and what a beautiful colored drink! I was glad to see someone else comment on adding in a bit of vodka as that was my first thought! How lucky for you in your teen years to have had the opportunity to travel and experience so much!
Refreshing, colorful, and beautiful! Summer is here!
looks gorgeous and refreshing! perfect for out by a pool this summer!
OMG, that is one sexy nimbu pani! LOVE the colors!
India is such a wonderful, beautiful place. This is so refreshing – would brighten up any day!
Love, love, LOVE this! I think I’ll put a little Tito’s Vodka in mine just in case . . . ;) Gotta run to the store.
Great pictures, Sommer! Yes, I remember all the safe traveling food rules and brushing your teeth with bottled water. Thanks for a refreshing drink recipe. Kirsten
That is so interesting. And the drink looks divine too!
I love those glasses so much. Sounds like such a great drink.
lovely read capturing INDIA at her very best ! cheers ; btw loved the addition of berries
Can’t wait to try this! I love all variations on lemonade and limeade but never thought to add salt. I know it makes all the difference in a good mango lassi.
And I thought I had traveled a lot…pffff! Lucky you!
The lemonade sounds amazing…the photos are to die for!! Spill the beans…camera, editing software, lighting, etc… pretty please! :)
Great post – how fun you got to travel all over like that! This drink looks fantastic – what a great color!
ha:-) I loved loved reading this. My dad had this rule too when we went on vacation to India – not drinking any water except bottled. But two things that I could never say no to were Nimbu pani and Pani puri. lol and I think overtime we get immune to bad water :-) . Loved the berry addition.
If this tastes anywhere as near to how pretty these photos are then it must be spectacular.
I want to hear more about your traveling days. It sounds like you must have a lot of great stories to tell! But first I’m going to need a glass of this refreshing drink. :-)
Yum that looks fantastic! I love the traveling tales! What an exciting childhood!