There is nothing more refreshing than a Jal Jeera Mojito (Indian Spiced Mojito) on a hot summer day. Jal-jeera is an Indian spiced beverage, which is an extremely popular summer drink in Northern India.
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Spicy Low Carb Cocktail
In Hindi, Jal means water and Jeera means cumin. You can think of this beverage as a Mojito spiced with cumin and other spices.
I buy a store-bought spice blend, called Jal Jeera Masala, for this drink. Mix a teaspoon of the masala spice in club soda, add white rum or vodka, garnish with mint leaves, and serve your vodka cocktail on ice. I add a hint of sweet tamarind chutney to give it a nice sweet and spicy kick.
What is a Classic Mojito Cocktail?
Mojito is a traditional Cuban highball. A classic Mojito consists of white rum, sugar or sugar syrup, lime juice, sparkling water or club soda, and mint.
The mint leaves and lime are muddled in the glass with sugar, to release their juices and oils. Next, Rum goes in, and the glass is topped off with club soda.
Due to it's low alcohol content, and the lime and mint, it is quite a refreshing drink, and is perfect for summer parties and barbecues.
Indian Mojito with Jal Jeera Spice Mix
Jal-Jeera is a spicy drink with lots of cumin and many other spices in it. It is very similar to the spice-mix used for "Pani Puri", a popular chaat item, yet different.
Jal-jeera powder generally consists of roasted cumin, ginger, black pepper, mint, black salt, dried mango powder, and cayenne. I add a few more ingredients to get the taste just right. And as with any drink I make, I cut the calories and the carbs (carbohydrates).
Where do you Find Jal Jeera Mix
I use a Jal Jeera Masala Mix to make this cocktail. I get it at my local Indian store, or from Amazon.
Great Make-Ahead Drink for Parties
This refreshing drink is also a great party cocktail that you can make ahead by the jar full (one jar is never enough).
I mix half the soda with the vodka, jal jeera powder mix, lemon juice, and Tamarind Chutney. I put the pre-mix into the refrigerator and then add the rest of the soda to the jar when it is time to serve. Just add ice into individual glasses and the jal-jeera vodka mojito.
How to Make Jal Jeera Mocktail (no Alcohol)
You can enjoy this drink even without the alcohol. Simply skip the vodka and mix everything as per instructions. This makes for a great drink during Diwali and Holi parties.
Mojito Recipe with Vodka vs Rum
You can substitute vodka in this easy mojito recipe with white rum or white tequila to make a rum mojito or a tequila mojito. Rum and tequila have a sharper taste than vodka that gives an enjoyable contrast to the spiciness of Jal Jeera water and the sweetness of the tamarind chutney.
Low-Carb Mojito Cocktail
Regular mojito's have 2 teaspoons of sugar in them. So, not exactly great for folks on low carb diets.
This Jal-Jeera Vodka Mojito is a very low-carb cocktail with about 1 gram of carbs, because the only carbohydrates are in the sweet tamarind chutney, which you use just a ¼ teaspoon off. The cocktail gets all its flavor from the Indian spice mix and the touch of tamarind chutney.
You can skip the tamarind chutney completely if you want zero carbs for a keto Mojito recipe.
More Low Carb Drinks From My Kitchen
Other Drinks on the Blog
📖 Recipe
Jal Jeera Mojito | Indian Spiced Mojito Cocktail
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup ice : about 6-8 small ice cubes
- 1½ ounces Vodka : I recommend Grey Goose or Belvedere or White Rum
- 3 ounces Club Soda
- ½ teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 1 teaspoon Jal Jeera Masala Mix
- ¼ teaspoon Tamarind Chutney
- Few mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Place mint leaves and 1 lime wedge into a high-ball glass. Use a muddler to crush the mint and lime to release their oils.
- Add the Jal Jeera powder mix, and pour club soda into a the glass. Stir till dissolved.
- Add the lime juice and tamarind chutney
- Add the vodka or white rum, add ice and stir well
- Garnish with a twig of mint leaves
Notes
- Vodka: I highly recommend Grey Goose or Belvedere vodka for its smooth taste. You can also use White Rum of choice.
- Jaljeera Mix: I prefer using brands like 'Everest" or 'MDH' for the premade jaljeera spice mix, but you can use your favorite brand instead. To get a longer life out of the masala, transfer the remaining spice mix into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 6 months.
- Tamarind chutney: You can easily make this at home following this Imli chutney recipe, or buy your favorite fresh or frozen brand from your local Indian store.
- Lime: I highly recommend using freshly squeezed lime juice. The bottled concentrate doesn't have that fresh and vibrant taste.
- Multiplying the recipe: When making this cocktail for a large group, simply multiply the ingredients based on your headcount. Follow the instructions and assemble all the ingredients in a large pitcher except for club soda and ice. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve. When ready to serve, add ice to the glass, pour about 2 ounces of the prepared mix, then top with club soda as per recipe.
Nutrition
This recipe has been updated with new photos, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips.
Val says
Hi! I wondered about a discrepancy which lists lemon as an ingredient but you refer to lime in the directions. Does one citrus suit a liquor over another? Thank you!
Aneesha says
Hi Val, thanks for pointing that out. In this cocktail, either will work. I'll clarify in the instructions though. I hope you enjoy it!
Udayasurian says
I got a bottle of white rum from a friend of mine from Goa.I want to surprise him that white rum can be served in a way which he cannot even dreamt.Well appreciated and thanks a lot.
Aneesha says
Hi Udayasurian, sounds like your friend was pleasantly surprised:) I'm glad you enjoy this recipe and thank you for sharing it with your friends!
Girish says
Perfect cocktail for Diwali poker night ! Amazing taste.
Aneesha says
Hi Girish, thank you. I am so glad you enjoyed it. Diwali Greetings to you!