jigarthanda recipe | jigarthanda drink

Here’s a popular beverage from the Madurai city of Tamil Nadu state, the name of which itself means a cool drink – Jigarthanda. Jigarthanda Recipe is a milk-based beverage which has one very typical and unique ingredient called the ‘badam pisin/katira gond’ (almond gum) as one of the primary ingredients in it. Once you are able to source this special ingredient, it is very easy to prepare the Jigarthanda Drink. Follow my recipe to make this yummy refreshing beverage.

About Jigarthanda

Like I said in the beginning, Jigarthanda is a cooling beverage having its origins in Madurai city in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a common refreshment that is sold in almost all the street side stalls during summers in this part of the country.

‘Jigar‘ means ‘heart’ and ‘thanda‘ means ‘cool or cold.’ So, the Jigarthanda Drink literally translates to ‘cool heart or cold heart.’

You can compare the Jigarthanda Recipe to that of a Falooda Recipe. However, taste wise and to an extent, look-wise too, both are different.

There are some ingredients that are required to prepare jigarthanda.

• Badam pisin – badam pisin is also known as katira gond in Hindi. In English its known as tragacanth. Its also known as almond gum. In ayurvedic shops you can easily get katira gond. I bought them online from amazon.in. Another cooling drink which is made with badam pisin is this Gond ka sherbet. this is not the same gond which is used to make gond ke laddu. So buy the gond carefully.
• Nannari sarbath – you can get ready made nannari syrup in shops or online or make the syrup at home. You can also use rose syrup instead of nannari syrup. Though the authentic Madurai jigarthanda uses nannari syrup.
• Reduced milk – basically it is milk which is condensed just like basundi or rabdi.
• Ice cream made from reduced milk – a special ice cream made with reduced milk.

What I am sharing is an easy recipe and not an authentic method. It’s not the way jigarthanda drink is made and sold in the Madurai city.

For an easy version, I have used sweetened condensed milk, instead of reduced milk and added vanilla ice cream. You can also use dry fruits or any other ice cream flavor. I made the nannari syrup at home.

To make jigarthanda drink, I did ask one of my dear readers durga aunty her method. Durga aunty is from madurai. She lovingly gave me the method which she had got from a hotel chef. The condensed milk idea is hers which I implemented to have an easy version.

You can always less or more of all the ingredients you as per your liking. E.g you can add less of the soaked badam pisin.

The assembling is very easy. But you do need to soak badam pisin overnight or for 8 to 9 hours. They increase in volume like anything and look like a jelly. So a small amount is fine. If there is extra remaining, you can refrigerate it.

Both badam pisin and nannari syrup are natural coolants. Basam pisin also keeps you full. Its also good for gaining weight and relieves constipation.

Serve jigarthanda drink as soon as you assemble it.

How to make Jigarthanda Recipe

1. First rinse and then take 2 teaspoons badam pisin (katira gond or almond gum) in a large bowl.

If the badam pisin are larger in size, then you can crush them in a mortar-pestle and then add.

2. Add 2 cups water. Cover the bowl with a lid and let the badam pisin soak in water overnight or for 8 to 9 hours.

3. The next day you will see the badam pisin increases in volume, blooms and become jelly like. After soaking, if it becomes too tightened up then you can add some more water.

Strain the extra water from the soaked badam pisin in a strainer and keep it aside. You can also refrigerate the soaked badam pisin. If there are impurities then rinse in strainer to get rid of them.

Making jigarthanda drink

4. Now in another bowl or a small pan, take 4 tablespoons of condensed milk.

5. Add 2 cups of chilled milk. With a spoon or wired whisk, mix very well. Keep aside or keep in the fridge.

6. In a glass add 2 to 3 tablespoons of soaked almond gum or badam pisin.

7. Add 2 to 3 teaspoons of nannari syrup.

8. Then add 1 cup of the condensed milk and milk mixture.

9. Add 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream or dry fruits ice cream or pistachio ice cream.

10. Drizzle some nannari syup from the top. You can also add some dry fruits or tutti frutti or glazed cherries.

11. Serve jigarthanda drink immediately.

If you are looking for more beverages then do check:

• Cold coffee
• Kokum juice
• Lassi recipe
• Badam milk

Please be sure to rate the recipe in the recipe card or leave a comment below if you have made it. For more vegetarian inspirations, Sign Up for my emails or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter.

This Jigarthanda Recipe post from archives first published in April 2017 has been updated and republished on January 2023.