{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Five Minutes Is All It Takes to Make Stall Style Shikanji at Home",
  "summary": "According to Ayurveda physician Dr. Santosh Kumar Srivastava, the right spice mix and method can turn out a stall style, refreshing glass of shikanji at home in just a few minutes.",
  "content": "A cool glass of homemade shikanji, India's classic lemon based summer cooler, can taste just as good as anything from a roadside stall once the spice mix and method are right, and it takes only a few minutes to put together in a kitchen, an office pantry or even mid journey.\n\nA traditional drink that fights heat and fatigue\nAyurveda physician Dr. Santosh Kumar Srivastava explains that shikanji is an age old traditional beverage that helps counter dehydration, tiredness and the effects of intense heat on the body. A balanced mix of lemon, salt, sugar and spices comes together to give near instant relief and freshness the moment it is consumed. According to him, the drink can be whipped up easily after long hours at a desk, in between household chores, or while travelling, which is what makes it such a versatile option for people of every age group.\n\nWhat one glass of shikanji needs\nTo make a single glass at home, one fresh lemon, two to three teaspoons of sugar, half a teaspoon of black salt, a pinch of regular salt, half a teaspoon of prepared shikanji masala, five to six ice cubes, a few mint leaves and roughly 250 millilitres of cold water are enough. Anyone who travels often can carry the masala and sugar pre mixed in a small container, so the drink can be put together within minutes whenever the need arises on the road.\n\nA method simple enough for anyone to follow\nStart by squeezing fresh lemon juice into a glass, then add the sugar, black salt, regular salt and shikanji masala. Pour in a little water and stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Add the remaining cold water along with the ice cubes and mix again thoroughly. Finish by garnishing with fresh mint leaves and thin lemon slices before serving. Once this is done, a chilled, refreshing glass of shikanji is ready to drink.\n\nA quick fix for the office or the road\nIrshad Ali, who sells shikanji, says that people heading to office or travelling frequently can prepare the masala and sugar mixture in a small box in advance and keep a fresh lemon handy alongside it. Whenever the craving strikes, water can be poured into a bottle or glass, lemon juice squeezed in, the ready mixture added, and everything stirred well. \n This shortcut not only saves time but also makes it possible to get a refreshing drink almost anywhere within seconds.\n\nHow to prepare the shikanji masala at home\nFor those who want to make the spice mix themselves instead of buying it, two teaspoons of roasted cumin powder, two teaspoons of black salt, one teaspoon of rock salt or regular salt, one teaspoon of black pepper powder, half a teaspoon of dried ginger powder and half a teaspoon of roasted carom seed powder should be combined. Mixing all the spices well and storing them in an airtight container keeps the masala usable for many days, ready to turn into a tasty, refreshing drink within minutes whenever required.\n\nWays to make the flavour even better\nFor an extra boost of flavour, fresh mint, a few basil leaves, a little roasted cumin, finely grated ginger and a few drops of rose water can be added to the mix. Those who like a bit of fizz can swap plain water for soda water. People who prefer less sweetness can cut down on the sugar and use honey instead, which changes the flavour profile slightly while making the drink feel even more refreshing.\n\nA few things worth keeping in mind\nAlways use fresh, juicy lemons, since that has a direct bearing on the final taste. Salt and sugar should be added in balanced quantities, because using either in excess can throw off the flavour. Clean, cold water should always be used while preparing the drink. If shikanji is being made in advance, it should not be left uncovered for too long, since that affects both its taste and its freshness.\n\nDrinking shikanji after heat, humidity, heavy sweating, long journeys, sports or physical labour is considered particularly refreshing for the body. Office goers can have a glass in the afternoon, while it also works well as a welcome drink for guests at home. With the simple method and homemade masala described above, a tasty, refreshing glass of shikanji can be prepared within minutes at home, in the office or while travelling.\n\nWhat this means for you\n• Relief in summer: To fight dehydration after heat, sweating and long travel, this homemade shikanji offers a cheap, healthy alternative to expensive market drinks.\n• Saves time: Keeping the masala and sugar mix ready in advance means the drink can be made within minutes at home, at the office or on the road.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. What ingredients are needed to make one glass of shikanji?\nOne fresh lemon, 2-3 teaspoons of sugar, half a teaspoon of black salt, a pinch of regular salt, half a teaspoon of shikanji masala, 5-6 ice cubes, mint leaves and about 250 millilitres of cold water are needed.\n\n2. How can shikanji masala be prepared at home?\nCombining 2 teaspoons of roasted cumin powder, 2 teaspoons of black salt, 1 teaspoon of rock salt or regular salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper powder, half a teaspoon of dried ginger powder and half a teaspoon of roasted carom seed powder and storing it in an airtight container works well.\n\n3. According to Ayurveda, how is shikanji good for health?\nAyurveda physician Dr. Santosh Kumar Srivastava says it helps counter heat, fatigue and dehydration in the body.\n\n4. How can shikanji be made quickly while travelling?\nIrshad Ali suggests carrying the masala and sugar mixture in a box beforehand, then squeezing lemon into water and adding the mixture when needed, which is ready within seconds.\n\n5. How can a less sweet or lightly fizzy version be made?\nHoney can be used instead of sugar for less sweetness, while soda water can replace plain water for a bit of fizz.\n\n6. How long does homemade shikanji masala stay usable?\nStored in an airtight container, the masala stays fresh for many days and can be used within minutes whenever required.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/food/sirpha-pancha-minata-men-banegi-bajara-vali-shiknji-janen-ghara-para-masala-banane-ka-tarika-11423",
  "category": "Food",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-28",
  "tags": [
    "Shikanji",
    "Lemonade",
    "Summer Drink",
    "Ayurveda",
    "Shikanji Masala",
    "Homemade Recipe",
    "Healthy Drink",
    "Refreshing Beverage"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}