Kulukki Sarbath is a popular and refreshing drink from the Indian state of Kerala. This cold drink is made with fresh lime or lemon juice, sugar, basil seeds (sabja seeds).
Perfect for summer as this has sabja seeds in the drink, and for that reason, it’s a natural body coolant and quite refreshing ice cold drink with fresh ingredients.
Check out the other version I posted earlier inspired from a restaurant menu.
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What is Kulukki sarbath?
Kulukki Sarbath is a popular street drink with sabja seeds, chilli in Kerala and can be found in many cafes, juice bars, and restaurants across the state. It is tangy, sweet, slightly spicy flavor from chilli and is a perfect drink to beat the summer heat.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients needed for making kulukki sharbath
- Lemon or Lime – Fresh lemon or lime gives best results. I used Lime as I love the refreshing flavour of it.
- Simple syrup – For sweetening the drink. You can also use fine grain sugar
- Green chilli – This adds unique flavor to the drink and one of the main ingredients.
- Sabja seeds – or also known as basil seeds is also one of the special addition.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
1. Take sabja seeds in a bowl firstly and add water generously. Mix well.
2. Keep aside for 5 minutes and it will be all soaked up absorbing water.
3. Start by adding lemon wedge to the shaker.
4. After that, pour in the sugar syrup.
5. Then top it with ice cubes.
6. Add slit green chilli and salt after that.
7. Then, pour in the water.
8. After that, squeeze the lemon or lime.
9. Shake briskly, this should bring all the flavors that is from lemon wedge and green chilli.
10. Pour the shaken lemonade to the serving glass.
11. Top the drink finally with sabja seeds.
12. Mix well furthermore and enjoy!
Garnish Kulukki sarbath with fresh mint sprig if desired or just as such cold.
Substitutions
- Lemon or Lime – I used lime in the recipe, but you can use lemon too. Lemon is sweeter while lime has sharp tanginess.
- Simple syrup – Simple syrup is best for easy mixing in the drink, you can use sugar (fine grain) as well as other natural sweeteners like honey or agave.
- Green chilli – If you get kanthari chilli (a spicy variety from Kerala) you can use it. I added what I had yet it serves the purpose.
Variations
- Mint – add mint leaves along for a refreshing flavor.
- Ginger – crushed ginger can add a nice twist to the drink with unique flavor.
- Soda – add plain soda in place of water.
- Flavours – Add your favorite fruit like pineapple, watermelon, mango, rose syrup, cucumber with a dash of roasted cumin seeds powder and black salt.
Equipment
In the shops they shake in the serving glass with another stainless steel tumbler inverted over it and shaken. I used a cocktail shaker.
You can use just a bottle or whichever thing you have, as long as it serves it’s purpose.
Serving suggestion
The drink is traditionally served in a tall glass with ice and garnished with a slice of lemon or lime.
Top tip
For best kulukki sarbath,
- Use fresh ingredients – lemon or lime and chilli.
- Shake well to bring flavors.
- Balance the taste by adjusting sugar and salt in the recipe
- Use lots of ice as it should be really chilled for a refreshing taste.
- Garnish using your favorite ingredient and improvise using your imagination.
FAQ
Who invented kulukki sarbath?
Kulukki sarbath originated from Kozhikode, Kerala but a street vendor called Shaji made it first. (Source)
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe card
Kulukki Sarbath is a popular and refreshing drink from the Indian state of Kerala. This cold drink is made with fresh lime or lemon juice, sugar, basil seeds (sabja seeds).
Course Drinks
Cuisine Indian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Servings 1
- 1 Lemon or Lime
- 2 tablespoon Simple syrup or as needed
- 1 Green chilli Slit
- 1 teaspoon Sabja seeds Basil seeds
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
- Ice cubes as needed
- 1 Lemon wedge
- ¾ cup Water chilled
-
Take sabja seeds in a bowl firstly and add water generously. Mix well.
-
Keep aside for 5 minutes and it will be all soaked up absorbing water.
-
Start by adding lemon wedge to the shaker.
-
After that, pour in the sugar syrup.
-
Then top it with ice cubes.
-
Add slit green chilli and salt after that.
-
Then, pour in the water.
-
After that, squeeze the lemon or lime.
-
Shake briskly, this should bring all the flavors that is from lemon wedge and green chilli.
-
Pour the shaken lemonade to the serving glass.
-
Top the drink finally with sabja seeds.
-
Mix well furthermore and enjoy!
- Use fresh ingredients – lemon or lime and chilli. Shake well to bring flavors.
- Balance the taste by adjusting sugar and salt in the recipe Use lots of ice as it should be really chilled for a refreshing taste.
- Garnish using your favorite ingredient and improvise using your imagination.
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