Paanak or Paanakam is a Jaggery - Pepper based drink which is prepared widely on the auspicious occasion of Rama Navami i.e. birthday of Lord Ram.
I had not noticed this tradition earlier, but later when I moved to Bangalore, for the first time, on the eve of Rama Navami I tasted this drink along with Chitranna and became a fan of this refreshing,healthy and delicious drink.
Apart from such a religious day, I prepare this drink very often at home, as for me its better than any soda, canned juice or any other beverage.
These days I prefer this drink over any drink to quench my thirst. Often, I will prepare this drink,bottle it up and refrigerate it. It lasts for 3 days.
Because of the jaggery,lime and ginger flavor in the drink...it even tastes like sugarcane juice :)
Well, try it ,all the people who are novice to this soothing drink and enjoy during hot summer days!!
- 4 Cups of Water
- 7 Cubes of Jaggery, grated
- 1 & 1/2 Tbsp Black Pepper Powder
- Juice of 2 Limes
- 1 Tbsp Dry Ginger Powder
- 2 Tbsp Fresh Grated Ginger
- Pinch of Salt
- 1 Tsp Dry Mango Powder
- In a vessel, add water. Add all ingredients mentioned.
- Stir well till all the ingredients are mixed well.
- Check for the taste and jaggery as per your taste.
- Let it refrigerate for an hour.
- Strain the drink with tea strainer or just use as it is, fill in bottle and refrigerate.
- When serving, pour in a cup and optionally add ice cubes and serve chilled.
- Optionally add a tsp of Cardamom powder and JalJeera Powder to enhance taste.
Enjoy Drinking!! :)
