Jal Jeera is a popular beverage made with cumin water. This lemonade is delicious and essential in the sweltering Indian summer.

If you are looking out for popular and healthier summer coolers then you have stumbled upon the right spot. I am currently on a mission to beat the heat with some traditional and healthy summer coolers.
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Contents:
- Why make Jal Jira?
- Ingredients to make Jal Jeera Recipe
- Frequently asked questions
- Some other Summer Coolers that we enjoy
- Your Recipe Card
- Pin for Later
Why make Jal Jira?
Summer has always driven man towards thirst and no-drink quenches as well as water. But still, you need a drink that is refreshing and rehydrating and tasty. If you want some delicious options then consider Jal Jeera, a popular North Indian beverage that can be made easily and quickly.
In northern India in the summertime, vendors will set up a stall of big huge mud pots serving Jal Jeera. Though the taste is awesome here I will recommend that from a hygiene point of view make it at home. This Jeera water is recommended as it aids digestion and it cools. Mint and coriander are considered cooling agents.
So what are you waiting for let's get down to making Jal Jeera? It is not difficult and even if you have never tried it before you can make it easy with my instructions. If you are wondering how to make it without mint and lemon then my recipe is perfect for you! I have the same issues.
Ingredients to make Jal Jeera Recipe:
- Tamarind: Is cooling, aids digestion and adds sourness to the drink.
- Cumin seeds: Use roasted cumin seeds the cumin aids digestion.
- Fennel seeds: aid digestion and gives a lovely flavour to the drink.
- Water: You cannot have cumin water without water. Use plain drinking water.
- Rock salt: You can use regular salt but the flavour of rock salt or the Himalayan salt added to the drink is amazing.
- Mint leaves: Gives a lovely aroma and aids digestion.
- Coriander leaves: I cooling and good for digestion. Use a small handful since the coriander in this season is not t good I have used what I could salvage.
- Chilli powder: A little, but it goes a long way to balance the tastes and adds flavour.
- Jaggery: Again a little but needed to balance the tastes.
- Salt: Regular table salt a little will all you need.
- Optional ingredients: Ginger, dry mango powder and lemon juice are again optional that I do not use.
Substitutes and alternatives:
- Jaggery: The only substitute for jaggery is sugar use white sugar, brown sugar, and castor sugar.
- Water: You can add some sparkling water in place of regular water.
- Tamarind: Substitutes are dry mango powder, lemon and citric acid crystals.
- Mint: Use dry mint.

How to make Jal Jeera:
- Soak the tamarind in 1 cup of water for ½ an hour. Extract the juice.
- Grind the mint, coriander leaves, cumin seeds and fennel seeds if using to a fine paste. Add water to grind.
- Add the ground pudina mix and add the water, rock salt, chilli powder, jaggery and salt. Mix well.
- Adjust the taste and strain.
- Serve chilled on ice cubes topped with boondi.
My Jal Jeera is brown in colour as I have used tamarind as my souring agent. To get a lovely green colour use dry mango powder and lemons as your souring agent.
Frequently asked questions:
-
When can you drink Jal jeera?
Summer is a good time for Jal Jeera. You need something to cool you down. When you need a thirst quencher that is not sweet switch to Jal Jeera.
If you have guests who request something simple. Make Jal Jeera it can be made in a jiffy.
You have had a very heavy meal then sip some Jal jeera. The gassy, booted feeling will ease off as all the ingredients in the recipe aid digestion. -
I do not get good mint how do I make Jal Jeera?
To make Jal Jeera though fresh mint is best you can also use dry mint powder. The taste will be similar. My recipe uses minimum mint and lemon for we too are in the same boat.
-
Can I make Jal Jeera Powder and store it?
Of course the commercially available powders are cashing in on the fact that you can make the dry powder and store. To make the Homemade Dry Jal Jeera powder take 4 teaspoon dry mint, 2 teaspoon roasted cumin seeds, 2 teaspoon roasted fennel seeds, 1 teaspoon citric acid, 2 teaspoon black salt, 2 teaspoon sugar,1 teaspoon dry mango powder. You can add a pinch of asafoetida and ½ teaspoon pepper powder too ( I do not add). Mix well and store in an airtight container. Use a dry spoon to get the powder out.
-
Can I store Jal Jeera?
No, the ready Jal Jeera does not last for more than a day. Since the mint and coriander leaves are used you will find it bitter after some time. Do not freeze it too just discard it.
Some other Summer Coolers that we enjoy:
Your Recipe Card:

Jal Jeera Recipe ~ Drinks That Cool
Equipment
- chutney jar of mixer/blender
Ingredients
- 100 grams tamarind
- ½ teaspoon jeera
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- ½ teaspoon black salt ground
- 8-10 springs mint
- a few springs of coriander
- ¼ teaspoon red chilli powder
- 1 tablespoon Jaggery
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Soak the tamarind in 6 glasses of water for ½ an hour. Extract the juice and set aside.
- In the chutney pot of the mixer add the mint, coriander springs, cumin, fennel seeds and with a little water grind the mixture to a fine paste.
- Mix the ground mixture with the tamarind water.
- Add the jaggery, rock salt and mix well.
- Strain and serve on ice cubes and boondi.
- Alternatively, chill the strained Jal Jeera in the fridge for about an hour. then serve topped with boondi.
Notes
When you serve on ice cubes please remember that the cubes will contribute to water in the drink.
Pin for Later:

Hamaree Rasoi says
Very refreshing and delicious looking Jal Jeera.
Ramya says
OO .. I love this one! Feels heavenly to have one glass of this after having a heavy meal!
Premalatha Aravindhan says
Thats really a yummy delight,luks fab...
Sayantani says
generally make this with store bought jeera powder. this one is so unique. bookmarked.
Priya Sreeram says
ooh la la; the first shot is simply sizzling;love this summer special drink !
Gayathri NG says
Looks very refreshing n healthy drink...
Akila says
Wow that was really refreshing dear
Raksha says
Love it at any time.
Thanks for voting 🙂
Sobha Shyam says
sure healthy n refreshing drink dear..
Priya dharshini says
Luv this jeera drink...perfect for the season
Kaveri Venkatesh says
Nice recipe...You can't escape sweating in Chennai too...it's really hot and sweaty
RAKS KITCHEN says
Yumm! Perfect for the summer! Lovely click and tempts a lot!
Priya says
Super refreshing drink..
Kitchen Flavours says
Wow....chilled jal jeera...perfect to refresh the senses....
Spice up the Curry says
very refreshing drink
cookingvarieties says
hi the mad, wow, i was scrolling down to look at your recipe- thought it might be iced tea with lemon and mint...ha ha
great idea
have a nice day
Padhu says
Refreshing drink!
Parita says
My favorite!
Torviewtoronto says
delicious looking drink wonderfully done
Rajani says
Jal jeera is such a refreshing drink! It’s an amalgam of different tastes!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thank you.
Ritu says
Jaljeera is such a drink that is loved all the time... be it any season. Though due to its cooling effects, it's preferred in summers. Noted down your jaljeera powder recipe. Will try today only as my family wants to get it every alternate day. I keep it stored in syrup form.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 I like the idea of syrup, Ritu. Will be easy to mix.
Srivalli Jetti says
The new layout looks very nice and neat Archana. I love Jal Jeera and have one post coming up too..This drink is surely a must to make during this season!
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Thanks, Valli.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Going back to our roots and making these coolers are the best for summer. Nothing can beat the flavor of these classic recipes and they are the best thirst quenchers. The boondi on top was the winner for my son. he enjoyed it saying it feels like he is drinking the pani ouri water. Thanks for the recipe.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Sandhya for trying and I am glad your son liked it.
Radha says
Love it! the taste of jal jeera is so comforting and we love to have it often. This is an excellent recipe.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Radha.
Harini Rupanagudi says
Wow! This is such a refreshing beverage in the summer months. Frankly I have always used the readymade jal jeera powder but making it at home sounds too easy to pass. Shall try it soon.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 thanks, Harini.
NARMADHA says
Jal Jeera is such a refreshing and perfect coolant for summer. So comforting and would love to have with a lot of boondi on the top.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 me too.
Shobha Keshwani says
This is a very traditional drink loved by one and all. It is good for digestion also. Love it specially in summer. I never add fennel seeds. Will try doing that next time.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Mayuri Patel says
Wow Archana my favourite drink made at home! I always thought that jal jeera is made with a ready made store bought powder. You have proved me wrong with this delicious looking and healthy home made version. This recipe is a keeper, definitely trying it out.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Thanks, Mayuri.
Preethicuisine says
Jal Jeera is one of my most favourite drink. Your recipe is so quick and easy to make. Your recipe is a keeper. Will try your recipe. Beautiful clicks.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Preethi.
Priya Vj says
Ooo la la la !! I love Jaljeera and I am going to try your version with Tamarind water. I can have jaljeera anytime !
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Thanks.
Chef Mireille says
What a spicy drink - totally different than what we get in the west. I remember I tried this many years ago at an Indian restaurant, but haven't had it since. I think it's time I try it again soon!
ArchanaPotdar says
Mir Jal jeera is not spicy at all. You can however adjust the spice levels.