Bael Squash — Cooling Summer Drink

The mise en place.

• ▢1 ripe bael fruit (or 4 tbsp bael pulp concentrate)
• ▢4 cups cold water
• ▢2-3 tbsp honey or jaggery (to taste)
• ▢1 tsp lemon juice
• ▢A pinch of black salt
• ▢A pinch of roasted cumin powder
• ▢Ice cubes
• ▢Mint leaves for garnish

Step, by step.

1. 1

   Break open the bael fruit and scoop out the pulp.

2. 2

   Mix the pulp with 1 cup water and mash with your hands or a wooden masher to break it down.

3. 3

   Strain through a fine sieve, pressing the pulp to extract all the juice.

4. 4

   Discard the fibrous residue and seeds.

5. 5

   Add remaining cold water to the strained juice.

6. 6

   Stir in honey/jaggery, lemon juice, black salt, and roasted cumin powder.

7. 7

   Add ice cubes, garnish with mint, and serve immediately.