There is something slightly ridiculous and incredulous about an apathetic non-foodie including recipes on their blog site. Guilty as charged!
However, this refreshing drink is like a bolt of sunshine in your mouth and, as the title of this post declares, it’s too good not to share.
Enjoy!
Background:
- In October this year, The Husband and I signed on for a stroll in the Himalayas taking the scenic route to Everest Base Camp. That’s a whole other story and there is a long series of blog posts starting here if you are interested.
- We packed all our warm gear, flew half-way around the World and landed in Kathmandu which was seriously hot, and humid! We definitely weren’t expecting that.
- I had been to Nepal once before and knew the wonderful, crazy chaos of Kathmandu so we planned to arrive a day or two before our tour started to enjoy the city’s sights.
- Our small group were happy and excited to be in such a colourful destination and off we set down the car-filled streets, dodging motorbikes, and doing our best not to get ourselves killed prior to starting the hike.
- We had a fabulous time in Durbar Square, but it was getting hotter and hotter, jetlag was kicking in big time and we needed to rest for a while. Down a small alley we strolled to get away from the noise and busyness, and into a nice little café we went.
- All I wanted was a large, cold drink. My love affair with Nepal’s Mint-Lime drink had commenced.
What is it like?:
- It’s green, very green.
- It’s thick i.e. not like drinking water or lemonade. Think about the mouthfeel of a good quality orange juice with pulp.
- It’s a fabulous combination of salty, sweet and sour, and you could vary this to suit your own taste preferences.
- It’s so refreshing. The perfect pick-me-up on a hot day.
Recipe Options:
- I have trawled the internet and included a range of links, clips and recipes below. I intend to try them all in an attempt to recreate the deliciousness I experienced in Kathmandu.
- Some of the recipes seem to be a little heavy on the sugar for my tastes and some use soft drink e.g. lemonade or Mountain Dew (more sugar) as the added liquid rather than water. Obviously experiment yourself to get it just right. I think the most important thing is to drink it really cold for an uplifting brain freeze. 😊
- Nimbu Sharbat or Limeade by The Spice Diary: I wouldn’t strain the mix so you get that nice texture and I would also add some salt to get that flavour contrast in there too.
- Ingredients: Ice Cubes – 15-20, Lime juice – ½ cup, sugar – ½ cup, Fresh Mint Leaves – 1 cup, Chilled Water – ½ cup. Ice cubes, lime slices, mint sprigs to serve
- Method: Blend all ingredients and serve with garnish and ice.
- Mint Lemonade by Nepali Home Cooking: This one makes a concentrate to which you add ice and water.
- Ingredients: Mint – 1 cup, Lemon – juice of 1, sugar – 4 tablespoons, black salt – ½ teaspoon, jeera powder (not sure what that is) – ½ teaspoon.
- Method: Place all in a blender and whizz it together. I am guessing this recipe slightly as the clip is Nepali.
- Nimbu Pudine ka Sharbat by Pappa Mummy Kitchen: this one is also a concentrate which you dilute.
- Ingredients: Mint leaves – 1 cup, water – ¼ cup, sugar – 2 cups (!!), water – 1 cup, Black Salt – 1 teaspoon, ground cumin – 1 teaspoon, Green food colour – 2 pinch, salt (normal) – ½ teaspoon, lemon juice – ½ cup. Ice and water to serve
- Method: Place mint and water in a blender to make a thickish paste. Add sugar and water to a saucepan on medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Add the mint paste and stir until it comes to the boil. Add salt and cumin and continue to stir over low heat. Add food colour (if using) and extra salt – bring to the boil and simmer until the mixture reduces slightly. Add lemon juice, stir and remove from heat. Bottle and chill.
- Limonana by My Secret Gourmet: this variation seems to have a few more additions such as raisins and ginger. Apparently, this sort of drink is very popular in the Middle East too.
- There are tonnes of other recipes to choose from on the internet. Just experiment with the basic ingredients to get the flavour right for you.
Now my only problem is going to be whether I have enough mint in the garden to last me all Summer! 😊
Cheers to you and wishing you a Merry Christmas and a safe, peaceful and happy 2025. I look forward to chatting with you in February.
#travelinspo #EverestBaseCampCircuit #multidayhikes #adventurebeforedementia #longdistancewalks #Nepal #teahouses #WorldExpeditions #epicadventures #greatoutdoors #crosscountry #exploreonfoot #exoticdestinations #hikingadventures #yaks #Sagarmatha #remotevillages #mistymoutains #Kyangjuma #mountainclimbing #EverestHighway #tentlife #monasteries #floraandfauna #nationalparks #Lukla #recipes #refreshingbeverages
Life...one big adventure 
Nice one… I’m going to have a go at these too.
Merry Christmas.
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Yep – lots of mint left over from Christmas recipes. Time for a refreshing beverage! Happy Boxing Day to you. x
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These look delicious. The good news is that mint is basically a weed. Plant it in the ground and you’ll have more mint than you ever knew what to do with, and it will pop up in all sorts of expected places (so those of you reading this who are nascent gardeners, learn from my mistake and always plant mint in a pot – never in the ground). Anyway, Mel, thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas to you and the husband. Looking forward to hearing what’s coming up in Mel’s Adventureland.
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Thanks so much, TTA. Recovering from Christmas day today and I think one of these drinks will be just the ticket! Have a lovely day today. Is it snowing? Going for 35C here today. Melx
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It’s three days after you wrote, but I don’t think it was snowing. 🙂
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Yum! Sounds so tasty! Merry Christmas!
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and a very Merry Christmas to you too! Wishing you many more handstands in 2025!
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You’re full of surprises, Mel. I’m clutching a hot coffee to stop shivering at the moment so I’ll file your recipes in a drawer for future reference. I’ve brought whichever travel bug home with me and feel like a limp rag. Up and at ’em tomorrow… All the best for 2025!
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Oh dear, sounds like a case of too much Christmas! I hope you are feeling brighter soon. Happy trails to you in 2025. Melx
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Ooo sounds very refreshing, though it’s currently -2 here in England as I type so I’ll save it for a summer treat 🙂 Merry Christmas Mel!
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Thanks, Han. Stay warm and wishing you plenty of travel fun in 2025. Melx
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A good, thick, pudina sharbat usually needs no additions. But it does take a lot of mint.
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Do you mean no added liquid like water or lemonade? Does it need to just have the ice?
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You need to add water to get the consistency, but that’s all you need. Whether you add cilantro leaves, a chili and some ginger or lime is entirely up to individual taste.
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Thanks for the tips! Happy New Year to you.
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And to you too
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Thanks, but I think I’ll stick to an icy cold beer. Trust you had a happy Christmas. Cheers to more adventures in 2025.
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Thanks Mark and here’s cheers to you both too!
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There’s something about green drinks that makes me a little uncomfortable … but every time I had one, I enjoyed it! And I’m definitely going to try one of these versions that you just showed – it might just be what I need for the heat wave we’re currently experiencing!
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🙂 Yes – the colour can be a bit Over the Top, but it is a party in your mouth! 🙂
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This refreshing drink from Kathmandu sounds absolutely perfect for summer! If you’re a fan of healthy, flavorful drinks like this, be sure to check out Koshari Shack’s drinks for more amazing, unique beverage options
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It is a delicious tipple, that’s for sure!
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