This Masala Soda recipe is inspired by the beverage served on Indian streets. It's a refreshing lemon flavoured drink with added Indian spices. I like to make mine with fresh lemon juice, sugar, chaat masala, kala namak and soda water. You can also speed up the process by using a full-sugar sprite or lemonade!
We Brits love to talk about the weather. Mostly to complain about it, but every so often the elusive sun shines and everyone is cheerful again (until it's gets 1 degree too hot...)
Every time the sun starts getting towards unbearable, my Mum makes a big jug of masala soda. It's her tonic for the heat and she swears by it. A glass always comes with the same story - she was visiting India in the summer and had a headache from the heat. A street vendor selling masala soda gave her the guarantee she'd feel better if she had one. And it did!
The idea of masala soda is similar to the limbu nu sharbat my Grandma used to make. The only difference is that the sharbat was made with cold water and here we have carbonated water.
The icy cold lemon syrup is refreshingly sweet and the chaat masala gives a welcome tang.
A hot summer lunch usually consists of masala soda, dahi vada and samosa tart.
Ingredients notes
Be sure to check out the full recipe and exact ingredient list below in the recipe card.
Fresh lemons - I prefer the taste of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Sugar - regular white sugar to complement the sour lemon. You can adjust the amount of sugar you add to suit your taste.
Chaat masala - this is where regular lemonade becomes masala soda! Chaat masala adds more complex flavours to the drink. Again, add as much or as little as you prefer.
Black salt - also known as kala namak, it has an unmistakable savoury and salty taste.
Mint - optional but I think fresh mint is so so refreshing and looks great too. Add it if you have it, but it won't make or break the drink.
Soda water / sparkling water or use a full sugar lemonade if you do not want to make a separate lemon syrup.
Serving Suggestions
If serving to guests, I recommend making a batch of the lemon syrup and flavour it with the spices.
Then, when ready to serve, pour a small amount into each glass and top with chilled club soda.
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📖 Recipe
Masala Soda
Ingredients
- 2 large fresh lemon
- 6 tablespoon sugar less or more
- ½ teaspoon black salt
- 1 teaspoon chaat masala
- 500 millilitres soda water
- ice
- fresh mint leaves optional
Instructions
- Cut 2 large fresh lemon and squeeze out all the juice.
- Take a pitcher/jug add lemon juice and 6 tablespoon sugar, Mix well with spoon, until sugar dissloves completely. Then add ½ teaspoon black salt, and 1 teaspoon chaat masala .
- Divide this mixture into two glasses, add ice (if using) and few torn fresh mint leaves.
- Pour 500 millilitres soda water and give it a stir. You may garnish the glasses with mint leaves and a lemon wedge.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
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Hayley Dhanecha says
This is one of those drinks I keep coming back to for its simple but bold flavour, with the chaat masala and lemon working so well together.