Jal Jeera

Jaljeera Recipe | Learn how to make refreshing Indian Summer drink Jal Jeera

Jal Jeera, the original cold drink from India for the hot and scorching summers. It not only cools the body but is also appetizing. Refreshing drink recipe to beat the heat and keep digestive problems away during the summer months or whenever you have any digestion issues.

About the Recipe

One of the most cheapest and affordable summers cooler/drinks that can be afforded by majority is, Jal Jeera. In many North Indian cities, you can see a Jal Jeera cart in every nook and corner of a busy commercial place. The carts have big earthen pot filled with this refreshing drink, that quenches the thirst of many.

In summers and you will see so many vendors/shops selling the Indian summer coolers like fresh fruit juices(Mosambi/Sweet Lime Juice), Lassi, Kulfi(Indian Frozen Dessert), Masala Lemonade etc.

What is Jaljeera

Jal is water and Jeera is Cumin Seeds. It is basically cumin water with additional spices and fresh herbs like coriander mint leaves

Jaljeera is more than just Cumin Water. It is a mix of Indian spices and herbs that not only keep the body cool but also aids in digestion. It is believed to be invented on the banks of River Ganga(Ganges) where people made the masala on Sil-Batta(Grindstone) and stored in earthen pots. The drink is served with chilled and mostly before meals. It acts as an excellent appetizer. Many families which consume rich traditional food Jal Jeera is a must have drink before their meals.

Earth Day

Do you know about the EARTH DAY?? Yes, there is day dedicated to the make the people conscious of their responsibility towards the our HOME .. THE EARTH. April 22, every year is celebrated as EARTH DAY. Many activities are planned across the globe to make people aware about their duty towards our Earth. One way of the most easiest way in which can reduce the carbon impact and walk towards better future is through our food. Eat natural food and try to give back more and more to Mother Nature.

Here I come with my healthy Jaljeera recipe to celebrate the Earth Day!!! Natural coolers are one of the best ways to keep the heat away. Stay away from the synthetic and aerated drinks and walk towards the more clean and green environment.

To know about EARTH DAY click here.

Other Natural Coolers/Summer Drinks from the blog

There are many other natural summer coolers that Indians have been consuming to beat the heat and also to keep the digestive system on track in summers.

Mango Summer Cooler, Chass , Bel Ka Sharbat, Aam Panna, Masala Lemonade, Watermelon and Mint Cooler , Roohafza Lemonade(Rose syrup Lemonade), Shikanji(Indian Lemonade), Black Grapes Squash/ Cordial are some of the Indian summer coolers on the blog and many more to come.

Ingredients of Jal Jeera

The main ingredients of Jal Jeera are cumin(of course!!), fennel seeds, fresh ginger, black peppercorns(optional), amchur(dry mango powder), kala namak(black salt), tamarind pulp, fresh mint and coriander leaves. Just see how brilliantly the spices and herbs were chosen by our ancestors to make a nutritious, cooling and digestive drink, so perfect for the hot Indian summers.

Instead of Amchur Powder you can also use tamarind water as I have used in the pic below.

The ingredients and the amount used can be different in different households and regions but the basic recipe remains the same.

How to make Jaljeera

Traditionally, it was made on sil-batta (grindstone) where people used to grind all the ingredients together with little water and finally mixed the paste in water and stored in earthen pots. But these days with the ease of blenders you can make it in just a few seconds.

Put all the ingredients in blender with water and just blend. You can sieve the mix or have it just like that. I prefer not to sieve the mix as it also one of the ways to have fibre with the drink.

Detail steps in Recipe card

How to make Jaljeera Powder at home

Readymade Jaljeera powder is available in stores and you can add directly to water and make Jaljeera.

Jaljeera powder can be added to raita, salads or chaats.

Jaljeera Powder stays good for a couple of months when stored properly in an airtight glass jar.

Check the details in recipe card.

Serving suggestion

Jal Jeera tastes best when it served chilled. If you are making to consume it immediately, use chilled water and some ice cubes to blend the mixture. Or you can store in refrigerator in a glass jar, for 3-4 hrs or until chilled.

To serve it, transfer into individual glasses, squeeze some lemon juice in it(half lemon per glass), adjust the salt as per your taste and enjoy the drink. Many people like to add boondi in Jal Jeera. Boondi is small round deep-fried chickpea snacks that are adding to chaats and raita.

Checkout Boondi Ka Raita and How to make Boondi at home

Pro tip to make a perfect Jal Jeera ..

• Use fresh Mint and Coriander/Cilantro Leaves. Discard the stem of Mint leaves, as these make the drink bitter.
• Too much mint and coriander leaves also make the drink taste bitter. Use not more that 1/2 cup each for 4-5 glasses.
• Add tsp of sugar or jaggery if you feel the bitter taste.
• Dry roast cumin seeds before using. Or, add roasted cumin powder.
• Use chilled water and 1-2 ices cubes while blending.
• Try to finish Jaljeera the same day, as mint and cilantro can turn bitter if kept for long.

Check this another refreshing version of Jaljeera, Green Apple Jaljeera with goodness of Green Apple.

Recipe Card for Jal Jeera

So do make this Indian Summer Cooler, enjoy the chilled drink before the meals for a good digestion or just like that. It is believed to be one of the best cures for nay stomach and heat related problems. Jal Jeera Powder can also be made at home and used as and when required, shall soon update the recipe as a when I get the dried Mint leaves from store. I ran out of dried Mint leaves so not updating the post with Jal Jeera Powder recipe.

Make this drink and do give me your feedback.

Also, whenever you try the recipe, I will love to hear/share your feedback or any queries in the comment section below. I will try to answer your queries as soon as possible.

A small request, please rate the recipe as per your experience or feedback. Your feedback and ratings help my site in more google visibility and higher google ratings.

Say Hello!! and visit my social media accounts.. FB, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and You-Tube.

If you like my work, then add you mail id in the box below and HIT the SUBSCRIBE button to get notifications on new posts and share the blog with your loved ones.

Thanks for stopping by!! Keep coming back!!

Swati