With Ram Navami falling on April 6, 2025, it’s the perfect time to embrace the festive spirit with refreshing and nourishing traditional flavours. One classic favourite is Panakam, a sweet and spiced drink that holds cultural significance during this sacred celebration dedicated to the birth of Lord Rama.
Panakam is more than just a festive beverage; it symbolises simplicity, purity, and balance. Traditionally made with jaggery, water, cardamom, black pepper, and optional ingredients like lemon juice or dry ginger powder, Panakam not only cools the body but also aids digestion, making it ideal for the warm weather typically associated with the festival.
Panakam recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup jaggery (or sugar, if preferred)
4 cups water
½ tsp cardamom powder
¼ tsp black pepper powder
¼ tsp dry ginger powder (optional)
1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
Step-by-step guide:
In a bowl or jug, add the jaggery to water and stir until fully dissolved.
Mix in cardamom powder, black pepper, and dry ginger powder.
Add lemon juice if you like a slightly tangy twist.
Chill it in the fridge or serve with ice cubes for a cool festive treat – easy, right!
Quick hack for busy festive days
If you’re short on time or just want to whip up a batch of Panakam without all the measuring and mixing, here’s an easy shortcut that still serves the essence of the traditional version:
Instant Panakam mix hack:
In a clean jar, mix and store: 1 cup powdered jaggery, 2 tsp cardamom powder, 1 tsp black pepper powder and 1 tsp dry ginger powder (optional)
Whenever you want to serve Panakam: Add 2 tablespoons of the mix to a glass of cold water (about 250 ml). Stir well and squeeze a bit of lemon juice if desired.
Pro Tip: Prepare the mix in advance and keep it airtight. It is great for last-minute servings or guests dropping by during the festival!
