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.
This looks wonderful! I am so curious about teh salty/sweet thing… I am sure it is wonderfully tangy and intense. I have to try it out on the next really hot afternoon!
Hey, I learn something new. Thanks for sharing your travels. I wish to do the same when I have time and a great deal of funds lol. The recipe seems interesting
Must try this! It looks so yummy and refreshing. Great memories to associate with it as well, that always makes a recipe taste better :)
Your photography is stunning. Now if I could figure out a sugar free version!
Very beautiful and interesting beverage! I’d love to try this very soon.
I’ve never heard of it, but it certainly looks, and sounds, delicious!
That Nimbu Pani looks gorgeous!! Just a couple of days ago it was really hot and humid here (in India) and i could lived on these! Monsoon has arrived but it’s still not cool enough to not crave for something cold and refreshing!! thanks for the great recipe of nimbu pani with a twist!
WOW had no idea you had been to India :) My Dad too had rules all the time .. and mom’s rule was no road side food. She would try to make those at home !
I must say you raised Nimbu Pani to a whole new level. In those horrible heat and humid nothing can make you feel better than nimbu pani and i always preferred it salty. have to try making this version and surprise my freinds :)
Props to you… I like hard work and the character it builds…not sure I could do hard floors though, I have yet to see the REAL India = )
wow this looks so dreamy and heavenly! Really love its colour.
I am a big fan of nimbu pani, how creative to combine it with berries. The color and the photos look so beautiful, I can’t bring myself to look away!
Gorgeous, unique and refreshing! So glad you came through your trips without parasites…I think it was worth the risk for this beautiful drink :)
STUNNING! And just what we need in the Piedmont right now!
Yum, this looks so refreshing!
I’d love to hear about your travels too! I want to travel more and taste what there is to be enjoyed in the world! Lovely drink and it does look so refreshing. Great photos too – you can almost taste and smell it through the screen!
stunning color…I love color, color when presenting refreshing glass of cool drinks!! thanks sommer!
sweetlife
The salt makes SO MUCH SENSE. Much like on a margarita. Salt with sweet, salt with citrus – both work. You can bet my next batch of lemonade will have that unexpected kick.
I am so in LOVE with all of your dishes and glasses, and these pictures are so striking with vibrant color. How can I resist?