Masala Coke / Masala Pepsi

If you've ever been to the juice centers in the metros of India, I'm sure you've noticed this drink on the menu!!! Coke or Pepsi is mixed with a few Indian masalas and is converted into a heavenly, refreshing drink which is a beautiful blend of videsi and desi flavours!!!

Suketu Mehta describes the Masala Coke in his book "Maximum city: Bombay lost and found" as follows:

"When the Coke is poured into the glass, which has a couple of teaspoons of the masala waiting to attack the liquid from the bottom up, the American drink froths up in astonished anger. The waiter stands at your booth, waiting until the froth dies down, then puts in a little more of the Coke, then waits a moment more, then pours in the rest. And, lo! it has become a Hindu Coke. The alien invader has come into the country. It has been accepted into the pantheon of local drinks but has a little spice added to it, a little more zing. The cocaine is back in the Coke."

I remember the times when my friends and I had just graduated from school and were out on the busy roads of Bangalore all day, attending job interviews and written tests....... We would stop by the juice centers atleast twice a day for this videsi drink with a desi touch :) !! Masala coke was just right for those hot summer days.

Now that the days are getting hotter, I got reminded of this drink and I tried it out over the weekend. It tasted as good as ever!!!! Hope you all like it too....

Ingredients:

500 ml Coca Cola / Pepsi

3/4 tsp Jeera / Cumin powder

1/4 tsp Ajwain/Oma powder (optional)

1/2 tsp Black pepper powder

1 tsp Lemon juice

Salt as per taste

Method:

1. Mix all ingredients together ( except the soda) in a tall glass.


2. To this, add the soda (Coke or Pepsi) little by little; The soda froths up.


3. Stir continuously with a spoon and add more soda after it stops frothing.


4. Repeat until the glass is full. Serve immediately and relish!