DIWALI menu (drinks) -Jaljira spritzer

(Serves 4-6)

INGREDIENTS:

2 tbs finely chopped coriander, plus several whole leaves for the ice cubes 4

tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus whole black peppercorns for the ice cubes 6

tbs amchoor powder 2

tsp black salt ¼

tsp kosher salt

1 tsp sugar

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tbs finely chopped fresh mint

1 cup water

1.4 to 2 litres ginger ale, lemon-lime soda or cola

METHOD:

Place a coriander leaf and a couple of black peppercorns inside the wells of several ice cube trays. Fill with water and freeze until solid.

Combine the amchoor, black salt, kosher salt, ground black pepper, sugar, cumin, mint, chopped coriander and water in a medium bowl.

Stir to form a well-blended paste; the yield is about 1¼ cups.

Place 1½ tablespoons of the paste at the bottom of each glass; reserve the remaining paste for another use. (See headnote.)

Fill each glass halfway with the coriander/peppercorn ice cubes. Serve each glass with a can of the ginger ale, soda or cola.

Guests should pour the liquid in two or three additions, allowing it to dissolve some of the paste each time and drinking before the next bit of liquid is added.