Nimbu Pani Gin Cooler Recipe
Sweet and salty nimbu pani with gin, mint and soda.
Nimbu pani is the sweet, salty lemonade found in every Indian summer. Gin adds juniper and dryness without hiding the roasted cumin and black salt.
Ingredients
- 45 ml Gin
- 90 ml Nimbu pani Salted and sweetened, with roasted cumin
- 60 ml Soda water To top up
- 1 Mint sprig For the garnish
Garnish: Mint sprig and lemon wheel
How to Make a Nimbu Pani Gin Cooler
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add gin and nimbu pani.
- Top with soda and stir gently.
- Garnish with mint and a lemon wheel.
Best Bottles for a Nimbu Pani Gin Cooler in India
Indian craft gin
Dry and easy to find
Botanical depth
Indian gin with local botanicals
Prices are the lowest listed India price and vary by state. Check each spirit page for the full state-wise table.
Tips for a Better Nimbu Pani Gin Cooler
- Make nimbu pani with lemon juice, sugar, black salt and a pinch of roasted cumin. Chill it fully.
- Use a dry gin so the drink does not turn too sweet.
About the Nimbu Pani Gin Cooler
Nimbu pani is Indian lemonade: fresh lime or lemon juice, water, sugar and salt. In North India it is called shikanji when roasted cumin, black salt and sometimes ginger or mint are added. It is the standard summer drink across the country, sold at roadside carts and made in almost every home.
The link with gin is older than it looks. The Gin and Tonic itself began in British India, where officers mixed gin with lime, sugar and quinine. Gin with nimbu pani follows the same logic, with salt and cumin in place of the bitter tonic.
This cooler is a modern recipe that shows off the new Indian craft gins, many of which use local botanicals such as Gondhoraj lime, coriander seed and black pepper.
Nimbu Pani Gin Cooler Variations
- Shikanji Gin Fizz: shake the gin and nimbu pani with ice and top with soda water for more foam.
- Nimbu Pani Vodka Cooler: vodka for a cleaner, more neutral drink.
- Masala Gin Cooler: add a pinch of chaat masala and a slit green chilli.
- Virgin Nimbu Soda: leave out the gin. This is the classic Indian sweet and salty lime soda.
Frequently Asked Questions
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