Sabja shikanji (traditional lemonade)
Sabja shikanji is a traditional Indian lemonade made with soaked sabja (basil) seeds, fresh lemon juice, sugar, water, ice and a pinch of chaat masala. The Thermomix TM7 grinds the spice blend and dissolves the sugar evenly, delivering a refreshing, tangy drink with a delightfully jelly-like texture from the seeds in minutes.
About this recipe
Sabja shikanji with the Thermomix TM7 is a traditional Indian lemonade recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular summer cooler. If you are searching for refreshing drinks recipes for your all-in-one kitchen machine, this spiced lemonade deserves a place on your list. Sabja seeds, also known as basil seeds, swell into tiny glossy pearls once soaked, giving every sip a playful, jelly-like texture that sets this drink apart from ordinary lemonade. The Thermomix TM7 makes the preparation remarkably easy: the integrated scale weighs the sugar precisely, the grinding function mills the chaat masala fresh for maximum aroma, and the mixing function dissolves and blends everything into a beautifully balanced, cloudy lemonade without any undissolved sugar at the bottom of the glass. Chaat masala adds a savoury, tangy depth with notes of cumin, black salt and dried mango powder, a signature of Indian street food. Serve this drink ice-cold at summer barbecues, festive gatherings or as an after-work refreshment; it is naturally vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free, making it suitable for almost every guest at your table.
Preparation tips
- Soak the sabja seeds in water for at least ten minutes before serving so they swell fully into translucent pearls; unsoaked seeds stay hard and will not give that classic jelly-like texture in the shikanji.
- Dissolve the sugar completely in the mixing bowl before adding the lemon juice, so the chaat masala distributes evenly and does not clump at the bottom of the glass when you pour over ice cubes.
- For a kid-friendly version, reduce the chaat masala to a small pinch or replace it with a whisper of ground cardamom, keeping the lemonade mild while preserving the fun texture of the soaked sabja seeds.
Recipe variations
- Alcohol-free cocktail variation: add a splash of sparkling water, fresh mint leaves and a thin slice of ginger to the shikanji, then serve in salted-rim glasses for a festive mocktail that keeps the sabja seeds as the star texture.
- Seasonal winter variation: replace the ice cubes with warm water, swap half the lemon juice for orange juice and add a pinch of ground cinnamon and honey for a comforting, spiced cold-weather version of this traditional lemonade.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Weighing precision - The integrated scale of the Thermomix weighs the sugar to the gram directly in the mixing bowl. [Built-in scale]
- Fresh spice milling - The TM7 grinds whole spices for the chaat masala into a fine, aromatic powder in seconds. [Grinding]
- Even dissolving - The Thermomix mixes sugar, lemon juice and water into a crystal-clear lemonade without any grainy residue. [Mixing]
- Gentle warming - Precise temperature control of the TM7 warms the sugar syrup briefly so it dissolves completely without caramelising. [Heating]
- Cooling function - The Thermomix chills the lemonade mixture quickly, so the sabja shikanji is served refreshingly cold straight from the bowl. [Cooling]
Ingredients
- sabja seeds
- water
- ice cubes
- white sugar
- lemons
- chaat masala