If you’re in search of a vibrant summer drink that not only refreshes but also tantalizes your taste buds with a burst of tangy, sweet, and spicy notes, look no further than Aam Ka Panna: Refreshing Raw Mango Drink with Mint and Spices Recipe. This classic Indian beverage combines the zingy goodness of raw mangoes with cool mint and warming roasted cumin and black pepper, creating a drink that cools you down and perks you up in one delicious sip. Perfect for hot days or as a unique homemade treat, this recipe is a beloved favorite that effortlessly balances flavors, textures, and aromas to create a truly memorable cooling tonic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for this Aam Ka Panna: Refreshing Raw Mango Drink with Mint and Spices Recipe means embracing simplicity and freshness. Each element plays a pivotal role, from the tartness of raw mangoes to the earthy warmth of roasted cumin, making the final drink both wholesome and irresistible.
- Raw Mango: The star of the drink, providing a tangy and bright base that’s essential for that classic flavor.
- Jaggery (or Sugar): Adds natural sweetness and depth, balancing the mango’s tartness perfectly.
- Roasted Cumin Seeds: Imparts a smoky warmth and subtle earthiness that gives the panna its signature spice.
- Rock Salt (Kala Namak): Adds a slight salty tang for complexity and helps enhance all the flavors wonderfully.
- Coarsely Crushed Black Peppercorns (optional): Provides a mild heat and peppery kick that’s refreshing and invigorating.
- Fresh Mint Leaves: Brings floral and cooling herbaceous notes for an unbeatable fresh finish.
- Water: Dilutes and balances the flavors while keeping the drink hydrating and light.
You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.
How to Make Aam Ka Panna: Refreshing Raw Mango Drink with Mint and Spices Recipe
Step 1: Boil the Raw Mangoes
The journey to the perfect panna begins by gently rinsing your raw mangoes to remove any dust. Then, place them in an Instant Pot or a large pot with some water and boil until they turn soft and lose their bright green color. This softening makes extracting the pulp effortless and infuses the water with that unmistakable tang that forms the drink’s foundation.
Step 2: Peel and Scoop the Mango Pulp
Once the mangoes are cool enough to handle, peel off their skin carefully. Using a spoon, scoop out all the juicy pulp, making sure you scrape close to the seed to capture every last bit. This pulp will be the heart of your Aam Ka Panna: Refreshing Raw Mango Drink with Mint and Spices Recipe, giving you that luscious, natural mango flavor you crave.
Step 3: Blend Mango Pulp with Jaggery and Water
Transfer the freshly scooped mango pulp into a blender. Add jaggery, which melts beautifully to impart a rich sweetness, and pour in a significant portion of water. Blend these together until you achieve a luxuriously smooth, fruity mixture that’s sweet, tart, and ready to be transformed.
Step 4: Strain and Prepare Mint Puree
For that perfectly smooth texture, strain the mango and jaggery blend through a fine mesh sieve, pressing down to extract every bit of juice, while discarding fibrous bits. Next, blend fresh mint leaves with a little water to create a vibrant green, aromatic mint puree. Strain this as well and add it to your mango mixture — this step is where the freshness really sings in the recipe.
Step 5: Add Spices and Chill
Now comes the magic touch of spices: sprinkle in rock salt, black pepper, and roasted cumin seeds, stirring thoroughly to combine. These spices work together like a symphony, balancing sweetness and tang with smoky, savoury notes. Once mixed, cover and refrigerate for a few hours to allow all these flavors to meld beautifully, making this Aam Ka Panna: Refreshing Raw Mango Drink with Mint and Spices Recipe a true crowd-pleaser.
Step 6: Serve Over Ice with Garnishes
When you’re ready to enjoy, pour your chilled aam panna over plenty of ice cubes. Add a sprig of fresh mint or a lemon slice to brighten each glass with additional aroma and color — a simple but elegant finishing touch to lift the drink’s refreshing spirit.
How to Serve Aam Ka Panna: Refreshing Raw Mango Drink with Mint and Spices Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing your panna with a few fresh mint leaves, a thin wedge of lemon or lime, or even a light dusting of roasted cumin powder can elevate the drinking experience. These touches don’t just add color but enhance aroma and hints of complementary flavors that make each sip more exciting.
Side Dishes
This drink pairs wonderfully with savory Indian snacks like crispy pakoras, spicy chaat, or crunchy papadums. The tangy, sweet, and spicy panna cuts through rich, fried foods, cleansing your palate and making meal time even more enjoyable.
Creative Ways to Present
You could serve the panna in beautiful tall glasses or traditional Indian kulhads (clay cups) for an authentic touch. Adding a colorful straw or even a small skewer with a lemon spiral makes for a fun presentation that’s perfect for summer parties or family gatherings. For an adult twist, try infusing it with a splash of vodka or rum.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This delightful raw mango drink keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Store it in an airtight glass container to maintain freshness and flavor integrity. Before serving leftover panna, give it a quick stir to recombine any settled layers.
Freezing
While freezing is possible, it’s best to avoid freezing the complete drink as ingredients like mint and jaggery can change texture and flavor. If you do freeze, expect some separation and flavor loss. Instead, freeze the mango pulp alone if you want to prep in advance, then mix the spices and mint fresh when thawed.
Reheating
This recipe is best enjoyed chilled and does not require reheating. Warm panna may lose some of its refreshing qualities and delicate flavors, so keep it cold for the best experience.
FAQs
Can I use sugar instead of jaggery in the Aam Ka Panna?
Absolutely! Sugar works fine if jaggery isn’t available, although jaggery adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness and complexity that’s traditional and highly recommended.
What type of raw mangoes are best for this recipe?
Look for big, firm raw mangoes that have a bright green color without spots. These will be tangy and juicy, perfect for making a flavorful Aam Ka Panna: Refreshing Raw Mango Drink with Mint and Spices Recipe.
Can I make this recipe without an Instant Pot?
Definitely. You can boil the raw mangoes in a large pot of water on the stove until soft. The pressure cooker just speeds up the process, but traditional boiling works just as well.
What if I don’t like black pepper in my drink?
No worries! The peppercorns add a subtle warmth, but if you prefer, you can omit them. The drink will still be wonderfully refreshing and flavorful without the pepper.
Is this drink suitable for kids?
Yes! It’s a natural, healthy summer drink made mostly of fruits and spices, so kids can enjoy the sweet and tangy flavors without any caffeine or artificial ingredients.
Final Thoughts
I cannot recommend enough trying this Aam Ka Panna: Refreshing Raw Mango Drink with Mint and Spices Recipe as your go-to summer refresher. It’s easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and packed with bright, cool notes that feel like sunshine in a glass. Whether you’re entertaining friends or simply treating yourself on a hot day, this traditional Indian delicacy is sure to become a beloved staple in your recipe collection.
PrintAam Ka Panna: Refreshing Raw Mango Drink with Mint and Spices Recipe
Aam ka Panna is a traditional Indian summer beverage made from raw mangoes, jaggery, and a blend of spices, offering a refreshing and tangy drink that also helps in cooling the body and preventing dehydration.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 big Raw Mangoes
- ¾ cup Jaggery (or Sugar)
- 5 cups Water
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons Roasted cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon Rock salt (kala namak)
- ½ teaspoon Coarsely crushed black peppercorns (optional)
Additional
- ½ cup Fresh Mint leaves
Instructions
- Prepare Mangoes: Rinse the mangoes under tap water and gently rub them to remove any dirt or debris. Place them into the Instant Pot insert with 1.5 cups of water. Seal the lid, ensure the venting knob is sealed, and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally before opening.
- Cool and Peel: Remove the cooked mangoes from the pot and immerse them immediately in ice-cold water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, peel off the mango skin and use a spoon to scoop out all the pulp, discarding the seed.
- Blend Mango Pulp: Transfer the mango pulp to a blender and add the jaggery. Blend until smooth, then add 4.5 cups of water and blend again until thoroughly combined.
- Strain Mango Puree: Pass the mango mixture through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing to extract all liquid into a bowl; discard the fibrous leftovers. In the blender, combine fresh mint leaves with ½ cup water and blend until smooth. Strain this mint puree through the strainer into the mango liquid and discard any leftover bits.
- Add Spices: Stir in the rock salt, crushed black peppercorns, and roasted cumin seeds into the strained mango-mint mixture until fully combined. Seal the container and refrigerate for several hours to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Pour chilled Aam ka Panna over ice cubes and garnish with a sprig of mint or a slice of lemon for added freshness and visual appeal.
Notes
- Rock salt (kala namak) gives the drink its distinctive tangy and slightly sulfurous flavor – do not substitute with regular salt.
- You can adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of jaggery or sugar used.
- Pressure cooking the mangoes softens them and intensifies their flavor, and the ice bath stops the cooking immediately to retain freshness.
- Straining the juice results in a smooth drink with no fibrous texture.
- Refrigerate the drink well before serving to enhance the flavors and chill adequately.
- Optional black pepper adds a slight heat that complements the cooling effect of the drink.
