Gur Ka Sharbat (Jaggery Drink) – Refreshing Ramadan and Summer Drink
Looking for a refreshing summer drink that is both healthy and traditional? Try this Gur Ka Sharbat recipe, a cooling jaggery drink that is perfect for Ramadan or hot sunny days. It is sweet, energizing, and super easy to make in just 15 minutes.
Gur ka sharbat is a simple and traditional jaggery drink that is loved for its sweet taste and cooling effect. In many Pukhtoon households, this amber-colored drink is a must during Ramadan and hot summer days.
I’ve been drinking gur ka sharbat since childhood and have many fond memories attached to it. It’s one of those traditional drinks that never lose their charm.
This drink is made with wholesome, natural ingredients and is incredibly easy to prepare. Even beginners can make it in just 15 minutes! Simply boil jaggery in water, add a little lemon juice and salt, and top it with soaked basil seeds.
The color of your sharbat depends on the type of jaggery you use. Always choose dark jaggery, as light or yellow jaggery is often mixed with impurities.
Enjoy this healthy jaggery drink any time of the day. It’s sweet, energizing, and perfect for beating the heat.
Table of contents
What is Gur Ka Sharbat
“Gur” means jaggery, and “sharbat” means sweet drink. Together, they make a simple homemade jaggery drink that cools your body and refreshes you instantly.
The color of the sharbat depends on the type of jaggery you use. Always choose dark brown jaggery as it is pure and unadulterated. Avoid light yellow or pale ones.
Try This Traditional Gur Ka Sharbat
- This simple jaggery juice is refreshing, healthy, and full of memories.
- Make a batch today, store it in the fridge, and enjoy a cool glass of homemade sharbat whenever you want!
Sweet Memories of Gur
Back home, our family used to get big batches of pure, dark organic gur every winter. It was pure, rich in flavor, and lasted us the whole year.
We usually had two kinds of gur (jaggery) at home. One was plain, which we used in everything as a natural sweetener instead of refined sugar. The other was special gur, filled with nuts and seeds, made especially for the cold season. As a child, I loved picking out the nuts just like my daughter does now.
I still remember my baba (grandfather) bringing us sugarcane coated with freshly made gur. We used to pull off the chewy layer of sweet gur from the sugarcane and enjoy it like candy. That soft, caramel-like texture and rich taste were truly divine and the best treat ever!
Ingredients for Jaggery Drink
Storage Tips
You can easily store gur ka sharbat syrup and enjoy it anytime you want!
- Refrigerator Method: Let the syrup cool completely. Pour it into a clean glass bottle or airtight jar and store it in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer Method: Pour the syrup into an ice cube tray and freeze it. When serving, just add frozen sharbat cubes to a glass. Mix in lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and soaked basil seeds. Pour some cold water over it, stir well, and enjoy your instant refreshing drink. You won’t even need extra ice as the frozen sharbat cubes keep it perfectly chilled.
Health Benefits of Gur (Jaggery)
Gur (jaggery) is packed with natural goodness. It is not just a sweetener but also a healthy ingredient with many amazing benefits.
- Detoxifies the body: Jaggery helps cleanse your system by flushing out toxins naturally.
- Aids digestion: It supports better digestion and boosts metabolism, making you feel lighter and more energetic.
- Boosts immunity: Regular use of jaggery strengthens your immune system and helps your body fight infections.
- Natural sweetener: Gur is a healthier alternative to refined sugar, perfect for those who want a balanced diet.
- Keeps the body cool: It helps maintain body temperature and provides a refreshing effect, especially in hot weather.
Always pick dark brown jaggery as it’s pure and natural. Avoid yellow or light-colored jaggery, as it’s often adulterated.
Recipe Notes
- I used powdered organic gur (shakkar) for this recipe. If you’re using jaggery blocks, they may take longer to melt. To make it quicker, chop the jaggery into small pieces or soak it in a little warm water until it dissolves completely.
- You can adjust the amount of water and lemon juice based on your taste. Add more lemon if you like it tangy, or more water for a lighter flavor.
- For extra freshness, garnish your sharbat with mint leaves before serving. It adds a lovely aroma and cooling touch.
Flavor Variations
You can easily twist this traditional jaggery drink to make it even more flavorful and healthy. Try these simple variations:
- Cumin Powder: Add a pinch of roasted cumin powder for its digestive benefits and earthy aroma.
- Black Pepper: A small pinch of crushed black pepper gives a light spicy kick and enhances the overall taste.
- Ginger and Black Salt: Mix in a bit of ginger powder and black salt for a tangy, refreshing flavor.
- Orange Juice: Add a splash of fresh orange juice for a fruity twist. It blends beautifully with the sweetness of jaggery.
- Fresh Mint Leaves: Stir in crushed mint leaves to make the sharbat extra refreshing and fragrant.
These flavorful variations not only make your gur ka sharbat more exciting but also boost its health benefits.
FAQs
You can store the syrup in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in a clean airtight jar. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays for longer storage.
Yes, it is a healthy and natural drink for children. It is sweet, refreshing, and made with natural ingredients. Avoid adding too much lemon for young kids.
Absolutely. You can try cumin powder, ginger, black salt, orange juice, or mint leaves to make your sharbat even more flavorful and refreshing.
Always choose dark brown organic jaggery. Avoid yellow or light-colored jaggery, as it may be adulterated.
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Recipe
Gur Ka Sharbat –Traditional Jaggery Drink
Ingredients
- 1 cup jaggery, gur, or shakkar (chopped or powdered)
- 8 cups water
- 1 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 1 tablespoon basil seeds (soaked in water for 15 minutes)
Instructions
- In a saucepan, add the jaggery and 2 cups of water.
- Melt the jaggery completely and let it simmer for a few minutes on high heat, stirring occasionally.
- Once the mixture thickens slightly and reaches a syrup-like consistency, turn off the heat.
- Strain the syrup through a fine sieve to remove any impurities and let it cool.
- In a jug, combine the cooled jaggery syrup with the remaining water, salt, lemon juice, ice cubes, and soaked basil seeds.
- Stir well and your gur ka sharbat is ready!
- Garnish with mint leaves and lemon slices. Serve immediately. Enjoy! And remember “COOKING IS EASY!”
Video
Notes
- I used powdered organic gur (shakkar) but if you’re using a block of jaggery, it may take longer to dissolve. Soak it in a little water until it melts completely. To speed up the process, coarsely chop the jaggery with a knife.
- Adjust the amount of water and lemon juice to suit your taste.
- You can always garnish your sharbat with fresh mint leaves.
