Sparkling Watermelon Jaljeera

Mother's Day Special- Post 2

Nothing represents summer more better than a bowl of super sweet, bright red watermelon! You know summer is here when you see guys with watermelon thelas (or cart) everywhere on the road side selling fresh watermelons. Its almost impossible to resist and no matter how much you eat you never feel satisfied.

When traveling in India, especially in Mumbai, during summer time you will also notice roadside thelas of guys selling jaljeera. Jaljeera is classic summer drink which helps locals traveling beat the heat. It consists mint, black salt, cumin, ginger and black pepper which aids not only in cooling but also helps in digestion.

So for Mother's Day special drink, I decided to pair the classic summer road side drink of jaljeera with another classic summer fruit watermelon! The sweetness from the watermelon complimented well with the tanginess of the lemon and a little kick in the back of the throat provided by the jaljeera powder was  
like cherry on top!

This would pair perfectly with the Fiesta Canapes or anything which you choose to make this Mother's Day for your mum.

Sparkling Watermelon Jaljeera

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chilled watermelon roughly chopped
• 1 tsp jaljeera powder*
• 1 tsp of lemon juice
• few sprigs of mint
• Ice
• Club soda or sparkling water to top of the drink
• Sugar (optional)

Method:

• Puree the chopped watermelon into a blender. If the watermelon is not sweet, than you can add a little bit of sugar to get the desired sweetness
• Put some ice-cubes into a tall glass. Add some mint leaves roughly tearing it with your fingers to release some of its juices.
• Add the lemon juice and jaljeera powder
• Pour the pureed watermelon juice into the glass until almost filled
• Stir to combine everything
• When ready to serve, top it with a little bit of club soda or sparkling water
• garnish with a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint

*If you don't have jaljeera powder, than you can add a little bit of cumin powder, black salt, black pepper and a pinch of ginger powder.