If you have seen my blackberry margarita, then you will know what this kala khatta is all about. However, for those who don't drink alcohol, and the younger folk, I created a mocktail recipe version of the blackberry margarita. After all, its inspired by fond memories from my childhood of a welcome refreshment, kala khatta, in the hot summer months in India.
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A Simple Mocktail Recipe Inspired By An Indian Summer Treat
Kala Khatta is a syrup. To make it, one uses jamun or malabar plum. Kala means "black" and Khatta is "sour" or "tangy."
With these jamun plums, you make a syrup in a similar way to blackberry, or any other berry syrup.
In North India, a popular summer refreshment is golas, or shaved ice drenched in the kala khatta syrup. Many flavours exits, however, Jamun syrup is the most popular. Also, kala khatta is also enjoyed as a summer drink when the Jamun plum is in season. This simple mocktail recipe reminds me of this.
Here in the UK, with no fresh Jamun to make this drink, I love using wild blackberry syrup as the base for this simple mocktail recipe. This is because wild blackberries lend a similar flavour and colour to the jamun plum kala khatta. I add Kala namak, also known as black salt, and lime juice to enhance the flavour by bring out the tang and balancing the sweetness of the syrup.
The drink itself is very easy to make once you have prepared the basic blackberry syrup. Personally, I like to make my mocktail with crushed ice and indian tonic water for the sparkling fizz.
How-To Video
Here is a video guide to making your simple mocktail recipe.
π Recipe
Kala Khatta Mocktail Recipe Notes
If you don't have access to Indian tonic water, use any sparkling water. It will alter the taste a little, but not too much.
If you are reading this in springtime, why not try my flowering currant cordial? It's another foraged ingredient recipe.
Chinu says
Very nice. Ran out of blackberries and too late to make the store so used a combo of blueberries raspberries and some tart pomegranate syrup. Still worked out well. Thanks. Brought back fond golasherbet memories.
Chef Tripti says
That sounds delicious. I do hope you manage to find some blackberries this year and try it with them.
Chef Tripti says
I hope you do. Do let me know what you think.