Jal jeera

Jal jeera is a tangy, savoury Indian cooler of cold water seasoned with roasted cumin, mint, a souring agent such as tamarind or lime, and black salt with other warm spices. Its name says exactly what it is — jal means water and jeera means cumin — and the drink is built on a spiced powder stirred into chilled water until cloudy and brisk. Tart, faintly fizzy on the tongue and frankly salty rather than sweet, it is drunk across North India as a hot-weather refresher and an appetite- sharpening digestive. It is non-alcoholic and, in its traditional form, vegan.