Bael Ka Sharbat is a traditional non-alcoholic summer drink you can serve your family.
Bael ka Sharbhat
Bael is known by different names Wood Apple, Stone Apple, Bengal quince, Golden Apple, Japanese Bitter Orange. The aroma of the ripe fruit once the hardcover was broken is so heady, the fruit tastes sweet and tangy.
In Hinduism, the tree is considered as sacred and it is mentioned in the Rig Veda as the residence of Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth. We all know that Bael fruit and leaves are used in the worship of Lord Shiv.
In my recent trips up and down to Dharwad, my hometown was too often as my father was not too well. In the last trip, we went to “More” a supermarket close to our home and stocked up all the fruits and vegetables my father will need. I came across this beautiful fruit which we called bael!
As a child, it was my favourite snack and we used to eat the bael “chori-chori” in school almost all year round whether ripe or raw a little salt and we were ready to go. Amma made some kind of chutney with it.
It is only now that I am looking at Google and understand that we can
Now I am trying to reduce my junk food dependence and hence made this Bael Ka Sharbat or Wood Apple Squash. One glass of this sharbat and my Elevenses is done. If a bit hungry drink one more glass low on calories and filling what else do you need?
There are few non-alcoholic drinks Indian Style that I have tried in the past and they are
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing this BM#96
Bael Ka Sharbat, Wood Apple Punch
Ingredients
- 1 bael fruit/ wood apple
- 2 tablespoon Jaggery
- 1 teaspoon Jeera/ cumin powder
- kala namak/ black salt to taste
- 1 lemon juiced
- Water chilled as needed
- ice cubes I did not use
Instructions
- The fruit has a hard covering. Hit it on the floor and open it.
- Scoop out the pulp with a spoon and collect it in a big bowl.
- Mash the pulp in the water with your hands.
- Let it sit for about 30 minutes.
- Strain the mixture with a sieve and separate the seeds and fibre.
- Soak the pulp again and then strain it again.
- Add jaggery, lemon juice and the rest of the ingredients.
- Adjust water and the rest of the ingredients mix everything properly.
- Serve chilled.
Vaishali Sabnani says
Yes this is a very popular sherbet served in summers , I think it’s called kotha in Gujrati , and they make a very delicious chutney .
Those bottles look lovely and the sherbet has a pretty colour .
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Thanks Vaishali.
Varada says
It is called kautha in Marathi. I remember my mother made a chutney with it. I had never heard of this drink. Sounds delicious - sweet and sour.
ArchanaPotdar says
Yes, this is new to me and I am loving it.
Priya Suresh says
I miss wood apple here, wish i get this fruit here. Bael ka sharbat looks absolutely ultimate and refreshing.
ArchanaPotdar says
True Priya we miss something we enjoyed as kids always.
harini says
I have ever heard of the chutney made with wood apple. This beverage sounds good. Must be a good thirst quencher.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, dear.
Suma Gandlur says
It has been ages since I saw this fruit. This beal ka sharbat sounds yummy and loved your traditional recipes this week.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Gayathri Kumar says
We get these only during Ganesh Chaturti. Next time I get one, I am definitely trying this sherbath.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Srivalli Jetti says
Oh, we always end up wasting the Bael fruit when we get it for Ganesh Chathurti..will make this next time we get it!
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Srividhya Gopalakrishnan says
We make wood apple pachadi always. This sharbat sounds interesting and will definitely give it a try.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
Mayuri Patel says
I've not had the opportunity to taste bael so obviously have not even tasted bael ka sharbat. Having said that, will patiently wait till the day I can get wood apple and make this summer drink.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Must try it. You will love it, Mayuri.
Mayuri Patel says
I've yet to taste bael fruit. Didn't know they sell them in the supermarkets. Next visit to India, hopefully they will be in season as I would love to try out this bael ka sharbat. I hear it is a perfect coolign drink to beat the summer heat.
ArchanaPotdar says
Not all sell them, Mayuri. You just have to get lucky.
Neha says
I have long been hearing about the goodness of Bael Sharbat especially during summers. Never have I come across in real-time nor explored on Google. Going through this post, now I knowa bit more about this fruit. It is good to resort to such natural healthy thirst quenchers in summertime rather than sugary or fizzy drinks. Nice post!
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 thanks, Neha I know this is good but sourcing bael is difficult.
Priya Srinivasan says
Bael ka sharbat looks tempting archana. Have enjoyed this in childhood, but we consume all of the pulp with addons. An amazing drink, with brilliant flavors. wish i could find wood apple here, would love to try this!
ArchanaPotdar says
The pulp tastes wonder with salt especially if it is unripe. Try it in Chennai you may find it.
kalyani says
Bael Sharbat brings back memories of Summer / spring in Bangalore.. Ajji used to make this with jaggery and saunth (dry ginger) powder and it was delish ! thanks for taking me back to my childhood for a brief while..
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Seema says
Sounds like I have to visit you sometime soon. You have such unusual flavours and fruits like this bhel in your repertoire, I don't think I can find them here. I would love to try this bael sharbat.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 bael does take me back to childhood. You can come over anytime.