Falsa punch

The only thing I love about summer is the fruits that it brings. While mangoes are yet to hit the market in full force, these days there is plenty of falsay to enjoy.

While it’s mostly eaten raw, with some sprinkling of salt and masala, you can also make drinks from it to give yourself the extra boost of vitamin C and anti-oxidants that these berries are loaded with.

This week we are making a ‘punch’ with falsa, which is totally out of this world. However, unlike the other recipes, you will need adult help and supervision here as the fruits have to be boiled to extract their juice. So try it when mummy is free and willing to help.

Ingredients

• 250g or more falsay
• 4 tablespoon sugar or to taste
• 300ml white/lime carbonated drink
• A pinch of black salt and mint for garnishing (optional)

Method

Wash the fruit well and transfer in a pot with about three to four cups of water so that it is well covered. Ask mum to boil it for about 15 minutes on medium flame. Towards the end add at least four to six tablespoons of sugar, depending on how sweet you would want the drink. Stir it well to crush the fruits a bit, then take it off the flame and cool.

Use a strainer or a thin muslin cloth to strain the juice, also crush the fruits with spoon to extract more juice. Chill the juice in the fridge.

Fill half of a glass with juice and then add the white carbonated drink, slowly as the gas will quickly fill up the gas. Add some ice cube and black salt or just have it as it is. Totally refreshing! The recipe makes about three to four glasses.

Published in Dawn, Young World, May 20th, 2017