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–+ servings
Nimbu pani cocktail with limes and lime zest in the background

Spicy Nimbu Pani Cocktail

Shri Repp
This spicy nimbu pani cocktail is a refreshing Indian cocktail that has serranos for heat, lime zest for tang, and black salt for sourness. 
5 from 3 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks
Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients
 

Spicy Nimbu Pani Syrup Ingredients

  • 2 limes
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1-2 serrano peppers thinly sliced (use more or less based on preference)
  • 1.5 teaspoons black salt

Cocktail Ingredients

  • Ice
  • 1.5 oz (3 tablespoons) vodka or gin
  • 1.5 oz (3 tablespoons) spicy nimbu pani syrup
  • 4 oz (½ cup) lime hard seltzer

Instructions
 

Making the Nimbu Pani Spicy Syrup (Makes enough for 4 drinks)

  1. Zest 2 limes and set the shavings aside. Then proceed to squeeze lime juice from the limes and set aside. Every 2 limes should yield ~¼ cup of lime juice. If you have a particularly dry lime, squeeze more.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add ¾ cup sugar, ¾ cup water, and 1-2 serrano peppers and stir. Allow the water to come to a simmer. The sugar should be completely dissolved until there are no more granules of sugar remaining. 
  3. Turn off the heat and add 1.5 teaspoons black salt, lime juice, and the lime zest.
  4. Allow the syrup to cool in the fridge for 20 minutes or in the freezer for 5 minutes . You can filter out the serranos to reduce heat in this drink or leave them in for a spicer cocktail. The syrup can be stored in an airtight mason jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks until ready to use. The serranos when stored will turn a darker color as they steep in the syrup! 

Assemble Cocktail

  1. Add ice followed by 1.5 oz vodka or gin, 1.5 oz spicy nimbu pani syrup, 4 oz lime hard seltzer to a chilled glass.  Make sure to stir thoroughly or else the syrup will sink to the bottom of the drink. You can optionally garnish with a lime slice. Enjoy!
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Notes and Tips

  • You can substitute chaat masala for black salt
  • You can easily double or triple this recipe for a large party
  • You can make this cocktail a mocktail by replacing the hard seltzer with either lime seltzer or lime soda.
Did you make this recipe?Tag @moonriceshri so I can see your amazing creation!