Sarsaparilla Limeade — Nannari Soda Sherbet

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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!