Kerala Fuljar Soda
Kerala Fuljar Soda drops a mint, ginger, chilli, lemon, and black-salt shot into chilled soda for a fizzy street drink.
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10 mintotal
Prep 10 min
- Serves
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Spice
- Spicy
Ingredients
Quantities are for 2 servings.
Active time only; assemble just before serving because the soda foams quickly.
Method
In a mortar and pestle, crush the mint leaves, ginger, and green chilli into a coarse, highly aromatic paste.
Divide this crushed spicy paste equally into two small, sturdy shot glasses.
Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice, black salt, and sugar syrup directly into the shot glasses, mixing gently.
Fill two large, tall serving glasses completely with chilled soda water.
When ready to serve, quickly drop the filled shot glasses directly into the tall glasses of soda water.
Serve immediately while the soda is foamy and active at the rim.
How to tell it's done
The soda should be very fizzy and foamy, with cold lemon-mint liquid and small bits of ginger, chilli, and herbs.
Getting it right
Tip
Use ice-cold soda and drop the shot glass only at serving time; otherwise the fizz fades before the drink reaches the table.
What to serve it with
Serve immediately as a fun party starter or a spicy fizzy drink during hot summer afternoons.
Common mistakes
- There is no fizz and no drama.
- Chill the soda hard, open it at the last moment, and drop the shot glass in at the table. The whole point is the surge as the two meet — soda poured early and left standing has nothing left to give.
Substitutions
- Any plain sparkling water works in place of soda water. Sugar syrup can be swapped for honey or a spoon of sugar dissolved in a little warm water first — granular sugar will not dissolve in cold soda. Black salt is worth seeking out; ordinary salt makes the drink salty rather than tangy.
Storing and reheating
Assemble and drink. The crushed mint, ginger, and chilli paste keeps a day in the fridge and is the part worth making ahead; the soda goes in only at serving.
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