Recipe Description

Ruby red and extremely cooling, this is an ideal drink to have on a hot summer day

Ingredient                                                 Quantity

Sugar                                                          ¾ cup

Water                                                         1 cup

Kokum (gamboges)                                    100 grams

Salt                                                             ¼ teaspoon

Roasted cumin powder                              ½ teaspoon

Method:

1. Place a non stick deep bowl on high heat and pour in ¾ cup of water.  Add the sugar and when the mixture comes to a boil reduce heat to medium.  Cook, stirring frequently, till you get a syrup of one string consistency (see chef’s tip).
2. Meanwhile place the kokum in a mixer jar, add ¼ cup of water and grind to make a puree.
3. Add this puree to the sugar syrup and continue to boil for 2 to 3 minutes more.
4. Remove the pan from the stove top and add salt and cumin powder. Mix well and set aside to cool down to room temperature.
5. While serving pour ¼ cup of the kokum syrup into each glass, top it up with chilled water and stir to mix.  Serve immediately.

chef’s tip:-To test if the sugar syrup has reached the one-string consistency, place a drop of the syrup between your thumb and forefinger and pull them apart.  If the syrup forms a single string, it is ready.