Milk Sharbat or Paal sarabath is made with milk and nannari syrup as base. Flavorful, dairy rich, body cooling beverage for those scorching hot days. The jelly like almond gum and squishy basil seeds add a lot of texture and body to the sarbath.
Many variations of paal sharbats are popular in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. This cold drink has been cherished especially during the peak summer months. It is a staple at local street vendors, who serve it as a quick refreshment to passersby seeking relief from the heat.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY THIS MILK SARBATH RECIPE?
Healthy, paleo friendly, easy milk drink with herbal extract to cool off the body heat. Ideal healthy drink for all ages to be nourished and hydrated during summers .
- TASTE: Sweet, dairy rich and unique woody taste has almost like cinnamon scent.
- TEXTURE : Basil seeds and almond gum add a unique squishy chewy texture in every sip.
- TIME: Takes hardly 5 minutes to make this drink !
- EASE: This is such a flexible recipe to make with substitutes too, like chia seeds, cooked sago pearls,coconut jelly cubes or rice vermicelli can be added for texture, rose syrup or health mixes like Bonvita or Horlicks powders can be added.
Health Benefits :
Milk sharbat is not just a thirst quencher, it also comes with several health benefits:
- Cooling Effect: The basil seeds, Nannari syrup, almond gum and milk, all these have natural cooling properties that help lower body temperature.
- Hydration: The combination of milk and basil seeds helps keep you hydrated, which is crucial during hot summer days.
- Digestive Aid: Nannari syrup is known for its digestive properties, making Paal Sarbath a great post-meal drink.
- Nutritional Boost: Milk provides essential nutrients such as calcium, protein, and vitamins, contributing to your overall health.
Ingredients
- Milk: Fresh, whole, chilled milk is the base of this beverage, providing a creamy texture and essential nutrients.
- Nannari Syrup: Made from the roots of the Indian Sarsaparilla plant, Nannari syrup adds a unique flavor and cooling properties to the drink. It is also known for its medicinal benefits, such as aiding digestion and detoxifying the blood.
- Almond gum : Also called almond Pisin or Gond katira. It is a tree resin when soaked forms a jelly like substance that cools the body.
- Basil Seeds: Also called sabja seeds or tukmaria are tiny black seeds bloom up when soaked in water, adding an interesting texture and cooling effect to the drink.
- Sugar: Depending on your preference, you can add sugar to enhance the sweetness of the drink.
- Ice Cubes: To keep the drink chilled and refreshing.
- Optional : Ice cream : Milk or Vanilla ice cream adds sweetness and cold, elevates the taste without diluting the drink.
- Substitutes for texture : Chia seeds, cooked sago pearls, coconut jelly cubes or rice vermicelli can be added for texture, rose syrup or health mixes like Bonvita or Horlicks powders can be added.
- Substitutes for flavor : Instead of Sabja seeds chia seeds will work, Instead of nannari use rose or strawberry syrup.
The Simple Steps to Make milk sharbat :
Making Paal Sarbath at home is a straightforward process that requires minimal effort. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Soak the almond gum :Gond katira is a dried form of the gum. Wash 4-5 small pieces and soak it over night in 1 1/2 cups of water. Next day you will see that it has formed into clear jelly like substance. Stir it once and it is ready to use.
NOTE : Almond gum / Katira gum expands a lot so soak only 4-5 pieces for a cup full. Keep it refrigerated as it can turn sour quickly if left on the counter.
- Prepare the Sabja/ Basil Seeds: Take a tablespoon of basil seeds and soak them in 2 cups of warm water for about 15-20 minutes. The seeds will swell up and become gelatinous. Drain the excess water and set the seeds aside. Note : If the water added was not enough the basil seeds will look grayish
- Layer the beverage: In a large glass add Almond gum, nannari syrup pour in the chilled milk. Adjust the amount based on your preferred sweetness and flavor intensity.
- Add the Basil Seeds: Stir in the soaked basil seeds into the milk mixture. They will add a delightful texture and cooling effect to the drink.
- Sweeten to Taste: If you prefer a sweeter drink, add a teaspoon or two of sugar and stir well until it dissolves.
- Serve with Ice Cubes: Finally, add a handful of ice cubes to the glass to keep your Paal Sarbath chilled and extra refreshing.
- Optional : Instead of sweetener and ice cubes add homemade Milk ice cream or Vanilla ice cream so the beverage dosent get diluted with melting ice.
VARIATIONS TO EXPLORE
While the traditional Sarbath is delightful on its own, there are many variations you can explore:
- Fruit Sarbath: Instead of milk add fresh fruit juices like mango strawberry, pineapple, or watermelon for an extra fruity twist.
- Spiced yogurt: Infuse your yogurt based drink with a hint of spices like ginger, green chilies, cardamom, or cinnamon for a warming undertone.
- Herbal Sarbath: Herbs like mint or tulsi adds flavor and health benefits.
- Milk desserts : Milk pudding with chocolate topping , Arrowroot milk pudding
Paal sarbath
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Whole Milk
- 4 tbsp Nannari Syrup
- 2-3 pieces Almond gum
- 1 tsp Basil Seeds
- 3-4 cubes Ice Cubes
Optional
- 2 scoops Ice cream
- 1 tsp Sugar
Instructions
- Soak the almond gum in 1.5 cups of water. Refrigerate overnight to form the transparent jelly.
- Soak the basil/sabja seeds in a cup of warm water so they expand and bloom perfectly.
- Into the serving glass add the 2 tsps or more of the soaked almond gum jelly (as seen in pic). Add nannari syrup 2 tbsps on top of it add the required milk. Then the soaked basil seeds. Add ice cubes or a scoop or two of ice cream. Serve it immediately with a large straw or stirrer or spoon on the side.
Notes
- Keep everything ice cold till ready to serve.
- Ice cube dilutes the sarbath as it sits hence keep that in mind
- The drink is pretty thick and filling.
Hope you try this delicious milk sharbat and let me know how much you liked the riot of textures on a hot summer afternoon.
Meena
Elsa
Nice and easy 🤤
elephantsncoconuttrees
Thank you Elsa.