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!
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.
Delicious
Nimbu Pani sounds amazing. Certainly you make it seem so. I wonder how it would go with a splash of vodka added to the mix?
Loved reading this.
Loved how you say ” What can I say, I like to live on the wild side.” and the finishing *wink*, which perfectly complements that statement.
Your precise description of the water-buffalo pond, rickety cart, rickshaws and bustling streets transported me for a minute to my own good old days..
That berry nimbu paani looks so zesty and refreshing in color, got to get squeezing some limes/lemons now..
absolutely stunning! i too wanna hear more about your travels!!
This sounds quite heavenly! Love your traveling tale, too.
Thank you for sharing both the stories and the recipes.
Hi Sommer,
Loving all these berry recipes. So bright and colorful for summer.
Did you ever make it down to Malaysia?
Best,
Reese
This sounds like a perfect summer drink Sommer. And I’m with Sylvie, you should share a bit more about your travels; I’d love to hear about them!
Gallivanting! I love that word. Sounds like you had a blast and picked up some valuable experiences at the same time. Your photos are beautiful – I feel refreshed just looking at them – and I think you have taken Nimbu Pani to a whole new level by adding the berries.
Just beautiful Sommer! Wow, you’ve had some adventures in your time, I’m glad you found Nimbu Pani and shared it with us- love the fresh berries;-)
What a gorgeous drink! I love the bright color. :)
Those pictures are gorgeous! I love the contrast with the black in the background.