Stay Cool this Summer with an Aam Panna Spritz

It is officially Summertime! We all know that summer has made its grand entry the minute one starts using Mango in any form. As the mercury starts rising with each passing day, it is time to bring out the king of Summer Drinks in India — the Aam Panna.

The sour bite of raw mangoes is reminiscent of carefree childhood days. It brings back memories of summer vacations, of climbing the mango trees to pluck some raw mangoes while the elders take their afternoon naps.

Aam Panna is a popular sweet-sour refreshing drink that is common in almost all houses in India during the summer months. Aam is the Hindi word for Mango. This Indian Summer drink has been around for centuries. There is some debate on whether or not this drink was introduced by the Mughals. It is said that both Jehangir and Shah Jahan encouraged the royal cooks or ‘ khansamas ‘ to experiment with Mangoes and thus the Aam Panna was born. Many experts debunk this theory by the fact that Mangoes had been cultivated in India long before the Mughals. In all probability, this drink was adapted from some local creations.

The cooling effect of the drink is a much-needed relief from the scorching Indian summer heat. The Aam Panna is made from raw green mangoes known as Kacchi Kairi or Kachhe Aam in India, cooked with jaggery and diluted with water. Spices, roasted cumin powder, and black salt are added as per taste that varies from house to house. The colour of this summer refresher varies from pale yellow to green depending on the ripeness of the mangoes.

Aam Panna maintains the electrolyte balance in our body that prevents dehydration and replenishes the salt loss due to perspiration in the summer heat. It is also rich in nutrients and is a great source of Vitamin C, B, and B12. Apart from preventing heat stroke, the Aam Panna is also great for digestion, regulates diabetes, boosts immunity, is good for the eyes, and strengthens the immune system.

Sweet Lime, also known as Mosambi in India, is a sweet and tangy citrus fruit with a mild flavour. Sweet Lime is lower in acidity than normal limes, lemon, and oranges.

Aam Panna Spritz

INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz / 60 ml Gin
• 1½ oz / 45 ml Aam Panna
• 1 oz / 30 ml Sweet Lime (Mosambi) Juice
• ½ Bar Spoon Honey.
• 4–5 Mint Leaves
• ½ Bar Spoon Roasted Cumin Powder
• ¼ Bar Spoon Black Salt
• Pulp of Green Mango Grilled or baked in a tandoor.
• A dash of Soda
• Prosecco to top up
• Garnish: Green Mango Slice, Mint, and Fresh Flowers

DIRECTIONS

• Muddle the raw mango pulp in the Shaker Tin
• Then slap the mint and add it to the mango pulp along with the rest of the ingredients — except Soda & Prosecco.
• Hard shake and strain into a glass.
• Top with Soda & Prosecco.
• Give a gentle stir.
• Garnish with a raw mango slice, a mint sprig, and fresh flowers
• Drink, Smile, and Repeat.

Tasting Notes: A refreshingly tangy drink that is packed with flavours. The Aam Panna as well as the raw mango pulp bring the tartness to the drink. The grilled or the tandoor baked green mango adds a whiff of smoky flavour. The Roasted Cumin Powder and the black salt enhance the raw mango taste. The Sweet Lime Juice and Honey give the cocktail the sweetness that balances the tartness of the green mangoes. Sweet Lime Juice also adds a mild tangy citrus note (without the acidity) into the cocktail. The mint brings a freshness to the drink and the Prosecco brightens it up. The earthy, herbaceous, and citrus notes of the gin string all the flavours in this cocktail together.

Food Pairing:

• Small Plates: Nachos with Salsa; Caramelised Onion and Goat Cheese Crostini; Stuffed Mushrooms; Moroccan Spiced Halloumi Fries; Tofu Satay in Coconut Sauce; Chaat Platter; Bhel Puri; Raj Kachori; Onion Rings; Cauliflower Fritters; Vietnamese Spring Rolls; Tandoori Prawns; Crab and Avocado Bruschetta; Cheesy Crab Poppers; Salmon Mousse Cups; Seekh Kebabs; Tandoori Chicken Tikka; Murg Malai Tikka; Chicken Dim Sums; Bhut Jolokia Chicken Wings; Devils on Horseback.
• Greens / Soups: Som Tam: Thai Green Papaya Salad; Green Apple Chicken Salad; Mulligatawny Soup; French Onion Chicken Soup.
• Big Plates: Lobster Roll with French Fries; Spicy Fish Tacos; Honey Barbecue Pulled Pork Burger with Chips; Barbecue Spare Ribs served with Baked Beans and Tomato Cucumber Salad; Honey Garlic Grilled Pork Chops with Roasted Asparagus; and Corn Salad; Fried Chicken served with Creamy Macaroni Salad and Corn on the Cob; Chicken Korma with Steamed Rice or Tandoori Roti; Khubani Kofta Curry with Laccha Paratha; Vegetarian Banh Mi Sandwich; Khowsuey; Vegetarian Pad Thai; Spicy Thai Tofu Stir Fry served with Steamed Rice; Classic Margherita Pizza; Khoresh Bademjan served with Steamed White Rice and Flatbread.
• Desserts: Ice Cream Sandwich; Sticky Toffee Pudding; Chocolate Eclairs; Lemon Meringue Pie; Kheer; Khubani ka Meetha.

Originally published at https://perfectpotions.co on May 27, 2021.