Skip to main content

Sparkling Panakam (Ginger, Cardamom, Lime Juice Sparkling Water)

4.4

(2)

Image may contain Drink Lemonade Beverage Alcohol and Beer
Sparkling PanakamHeidi Swanson

I'm just beginning to explore the fascinating world of traditional Indian beverages. One of the most refreshing I've discovered to date is panakam, typically made during the Hindi festival Sri Rama Navami. If you can imagine a frosty cold, light, bright homemade ginger beer, you'll have an idea of its taste. I make my version sparkling, and because the traditional jaggery is sometimes hard to come by (and slow to dissolve), I use whatever full-flavored, fine-grain, natural cane sugar I have on hand—muscovado works nicely. This version is also dialed back as far as sweetness goes; some versions I've come across use double or even triple the amount of sugar. Feel free to adjust the sweetness to your liking.

Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
Crispy tots topped with savory-sweet sauce, mayonnaise, furikake, scallion, and katsuobushi.
Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.
Tender, juicy chicken skewers are possible in the oven—especially when roasted alongside spiced chickpeas and finished with fresh tomatoes and salty feta.
An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.
You’ll want to put this creamy (but dairy-free) green sauce on everything and it’s particularly sublime under crispy-skinned salmon.