It is that time of the year when Mumbai is on its path to melting tar and one is always looking ways to stay cool and hydrated. One my favourite appetizers (apart from Nimmkaya Majjiga) is Jal Jeera.
Jal Jeera literally means Water (Jal) with Cumin (Jeera). However, it is much more. Apart from cumin, it has mint, coriander, black salt, and lemon juice; all of which makes it a tangy drink. Jal Jeera is famous as an appetizer but is also a great cooling drink.
Some of the best Jal Jeera in Mumbai is served at Govinda’s, the restaurant at the ISKCON Temple in Mumbai. They also make the most fabulous Moong Dal Halwa, that ooooozzzzzzeeeeees ghee!
Serves: 4
Time: 10 Minutes
Ingredients
- Chilled Water – 4 Cups
- Cumin Seeds – 1 tbsp
- Fresh Coriander Leaves – 1/4 cup
- Mint Leaves – 8-10
- Lemon Juice – 2 tbsp
- Amchur (Dry Mango Powder) – 1 tsp
- Black Salt – 1/2 tsp
- Boondi (Fried Gram Flour Balls) – 2 tbsp
- Salt to Taste
Method
- Dry roast the cumin seeds till they start to change colour.
- Grind together the mint leaves, coriander leaves, and cumin seeds with 2-3 tbsp water into a smooth paste.
- Mix the ground paste, lemon juice, amchur, black salt, and regular salt into the chilled water.
- Divide into four glasses.
- Garnish with boondi.
One of my fav drinks. I loved the fact that your recipe is so simple !
Drool! 🙂
oh i have to make this. Such amazing flavours! xx
A classic refreshing drink..:-)
For this summer, Jal jeera is much needed drink!
This looks great! I love jaljeera but the thought never crossed my mind to try and make it. Now I’ve seen your recipe, am definitely trying this!
I was craving it. … but it is too hot to travel to Govinda’s. Necessity, you see, is the mother of all invention. 🙂
One of my Uncle’s favourite drinks…x
This is great with pani puri…delicious.
That looks so yum!
love this drink
love the from-scratch recipe!!
this is really useful for hot summer day 🙂 nice try..
Reblogged this on Castles in the Sea and commented:
A nice solution for Dog Days !
Looks refreshing!
Perfect Summer recipe! Miss this being served in restaurants in Dubai… Guess, I should start making it at home. Thanks for sharing
Do….. Let me know how it turns out. 🙂
Jal Jeera is the Perfect Summer recipe