Imli Ka Amlana

A Rajasthani drink to beat the heat , a thirst quencher prepared with Tamarind pulp , lightly toasted and freshly ground black peppercorns and cumin seeds, flavoured with green cardamom powder, ajwain powder to sooth your stomach, a sweetening agent usually sugar but have replaced it with jaggery powder with a pinch of Rock salt .

For the Amlana:

Tamarind Pulp- 8 tbsp.

Black Peppercorns, lightly toasted and freshly ground- 1/4th tsp.

Cumin seeds,lightly toasted and freshly ground- 1 tsp.

Carom seeds powder- 2 tsp.

Rock Salt- 1 tsp

Sugar / Jaggery powder- 6 tbsp.

For the Garnish:

Fresh Mint Leaves- 2 sprigs

Method:

• Add 4 cups of water to tamarind pulp and mix well.
• Grind together ingredients mentioned from Black pepper powder to Jaggery powder to a very fine powder.
• Add this fine powdered ingredients / spices to the tamarind water and mix well.
• Chill in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.
• Pour into glasses.
• You may add crushed ice or ice cubes.
• Serve chilled garnished with fresh mint leaves, whole / chopped.

Chef Tips:

1. If you did like your drink to be spicy add a pinch of red chilli powder to it and mix well.

2. You may increase or decrease the quantity of tamarind pulp , if desired.

3. I personally suggest adding Jaggery powder instead of sugar.

4. How about adding a little boondi in the chilled Amlana before consuming it.