Panakam (Panaka) (Panagam)

In Sanskrit Panakam means a “Sweet Drink)
This drink is known as Panakam in Telugu, Panaka in Kannada and Panagam in Tamil.
This a simple summer drink , prepared with Jaggery flavoured with green cardamom powder and ground black peppercorn.. has fresh ginger juice, Lemon juice ,salt, chilled water added to it and is garnished with the Holy Basil
Preparation Time : 10 minutes
Soaking Time for Jaggery-30 minutes
Serves-4
Ingredients and Quantity:
Jaggery, chopped-3/4 th cup
Water, Chilled-4 cups
Black Peppercorn, pounded-1/2 tsp.
Green Cardamom Powder-1/2 tsp.
Fresh Ginger juice- 4 tsp.
Lemon, squeezed-1
Edible Camphor- a pinch (Optional)
Tulsi (Holy Basil)- 1 sprig
For the Straining:
Muslin cloth, food grade & unbleached-1/4th metre
Method:
In a large glass bowl add jaggery and water.
Mix well.
Cover and set aside for 20 minutes.
Strain through a food grade unbleached muslin cloth , to remove impurities.
Add salt, black pepper and green cardamom powder.
Add the ginger juice.
Now squeeze the lemon into it.
Stir. Mix well.
You may add a pinch of edible Camphor, if desired.
You may strain it again, if desired.
Add the Holy Basil Leaves.
Serve Chilled.