May 23, 2012

Sarsaparilla Limeade — Nannari Soda Sherbet




More drinks? I know, I know.

But peeps, with the mercury soaring to the likes of 48 degree Celcius, as early as May, and weather warnings issued everywhere, the yearn for icy cold chillers to alleviate heat has increased dramatically.

Summer has just kicked off and it’s blazing HOT already. Extreme heat means increased risk of suffering from heat exhaustion. We all know that chilled liquids are the best bet to hydrate the body and keep the heat at bay.
Kids simply want to kiss and cuddle a glass of cooler when they get home from school, wilted and exhausted from the scorching desert sun. Regardless of my attempts to shake and stir new delicious concoctions, nannari sherbet is still one of their favorite drinks to enjoy.

Lime is a refreshing summer flavor. Infused with cool sarsaparilla, and topped with chilled soda water, it’s unbelievably delicious and totally refreshing. Bonus? You can mix it up in a snap!

As the solstice nears, I'm chiming in with my favorite cooler recipe, originally published on February 10, 2011. Time to make this summer icy cool, ahh!


Soda sherbet or the nannari sherbet is the most popular and favorite thirst quencher in Kerala. It is commonly available at the manifold street vendors, especially during summertime.

To me, this sherbet is a reminiscence of the last summer spent with my parents, family and friends. Sweltering heat. Sherbet. Flip flops. Twilight at the beach.

Yes, sherbet brinks back of all those moments. And, plenty more.


Sarsaparilla is commonly known as nannari or naruneendi in Kerala. A natural coolant, it is considered to have medicinal properties for treating ailments like indigestion, rheumatism, skin diseases, and more. Also, it is found to have diuretic, aphrodisiac, blood purifying and detoxifying properties. For more info, refer wikipedia.

Nannari or sarsaparilla roots are sold in herbal pharmacies all across Kerala. The roots are brewed and mixed with jaggery to make the sweetened nannari syrup. My elder sister-in-law, Hazrath Kadeeja, brews this syrup at home all the time. Alternatively, you can buy bottled syrup from most supermarkets or herbal pharmacies. I usually stock my storecupboard with a bottle of sarsaparilla to make the sherbet—my kids simply love it. Even in the chill of winter, they yearn for a glass of sherbet after a game of soccer. 

This fizzy classic cooler is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. Get hold of a bottle of good quality syrup, and be prepared to impress your folks this scorching summer!
Sarsaparilla Limeade Nannari Soda Sherbet

Ingredients
Serves 2
Prep: 5 minutes

5 tablespoon naruneendi syrup (I used Sarvodaya)
2 tablespoon lime juice, or to taste
chilled club soda
ice

For garnish
Slice of lemon

Directions

Dip two tall chilled glasses into the lime juice and then into a tablespoon of brown sugar spread on a plate, so you get a little sugar rim around the top of the glass. 

Put some ice into each glass, then divide the lime juice and naruneendi syrup between the glasses and top up with soda water. Stir to combine. Serve decorated with a slice of lime, if you like. Ah, summer bliss!
Hope you are having a lovely week. Until next time, Happy Sipping!

32 comments:

  1. ooooh nice... that looks so refreshing!

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  2. whoahhh....give me that sun and give me that glass!...thats all i need.....ahhhh

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  3. OOOhhhh. It's amazing. Clicks are great too

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  4. perfect for those summers.............

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  5. oh!! great for summer heat. Again beautiful snaps.

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  6. wow, it looks so good. i didn even check on the recipe as i was floored by the photo. how did you get that background for the sorbet.

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  7. First impression it looked like a pic out of a commercial of expensive champagne... the drink looks very crisp... I love lemon based drinks so works out great for me. Thanks for sharing.

    US Masala

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  8. Great clicks and love this refreshing drink anyhime of the day..

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  9. Hey. Many thanks for your sweet notes!

    Hi Kitchenmorph, well, you are too nice. I have tons to learn, but I'm enjoying it. The picture was taken from the windowsill of the first floor of my villa with the sky as the backdrop and me low on the floor :)

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  10. oh quite an effort eh?? jus wanted to know if these backgrounds can be developed...ur strawberry background is white...used white porcelain??

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  11. Kind of an effort that requires patience and focus, I have to say :) As for the strawberries, you got it right, used white porcelain!

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  12. Thanks for linking your delicious dessert to my event dear - However,you need to be following the blog to enter it for the contest, please check the event rules and details here - http://priyasnowserving.blogspot.com/2011/01/guest-event-coming-to-now-serving.html
    Thanks again dear

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  13. This is wonderful summer coolent and love always. These drinks reminds me of summer vacation especially.

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  14. This sounds wonderful! I live in the desert to - in Arizona! It's quite hot here now and this seems like it would be a lovely solution to the heat! GORGEOUS photos!
    Patricia

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  15. just looking at the pics makes me forget the scorching heat... so want a glass now

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  16. Congratulations on making the foodbuzz Top 9!

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  17. congrats on the top 9
    a favourite cooling drink looks wonderful

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  18. The sarsaparilla Limeade does look refreshing!. I can't wait to make it. Gorgeous photos. Congratulations on Foodbuzz Top 9:)

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  19. hey missus, your drinks are mind blowing, perfect for me in this year-long summer weather! thanks for linking them to KK event..and more on email laters:-)

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  20. been havign shitty rain the past few weeks, but finally, the sun's out and the weather is hot hot hot here in the uk. the drink looks just perfect for a day like this.

    gorgeous photos and site btw x

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  21. Looks sooo refreshing. I hear you on the heat - I am in middle of a desert & such drinks are more than respite. Beautiful!

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  22. i so love this drink..and amazing pics needless to be mentioned!

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  23. AnonymousJune 02, 2012

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    1. Hi there! Lovely to hear from you, and thank you for stopping by. You sure can subscribe to my posts via email — sign up by entering your id in the 'subscribe by email' box on the sidebar (see right-hand side). Confirm subscription request, and start receiving notifications of new posts via mail. Enjoy!

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  24. how i love this thing! sigh! I miss home.. my amma's home..

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  25. Ahh..How cute! Looks like we've been doing drinks and no-bake dessert recipes together. Well, it must be the most natural & sensible thing to keep ourselves hydrated and cool with refreshing treats!

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  26. Very nice pictures and looks very yummy

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  27. Super like super like super like

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  29. Hi Nashi, Came to your blog while i was looking for nannari sherbet. I have to say these pictures made the blog very beautiful. I have used one of the image on my post here http://www.explorex.in/travel/food-trail/10-indian-summer-coolers-making-cola-thirsty/ with proper credit. Hope this is fine with you.

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A million thank you's for stopping by, taking the time to connect, and coming back to visit again. I genuinely appreciate each of your kind thoughts, lovely words, love and support. Happy, happy to hear from you, and hope to see you again!

♥ Nashi