Hello, my name is Kaveri Chunder from Gastronomic Explorer, a blog focusing on experimenting with food. I have recently moved to London from Bangalore and my birth city is Kolkata – The city of Joy. Kolkata is a wonderful place brimming with heritage restaurants and culturally rich, both a continuous source of inspiration for my recipes.

Kolkata is also the common link between Jayeeta and me. I was so thrilled to contribute my guest post on her blog. She has been incredibly supportive and is truly a generous person. I knew right away I had to prepare a mocktail to best represent her ethnic personality. So, without further ado, I offer her a classic unexpected combination that brings the most joy.

Looking for a mocktail that captures the essence of a Bengali summer with a modern, fizzy twist?

This Raw Mango and Gondhoraj Lemon mocktail, infused with Sprite, is a refreshing treat that combines traditional flavors with a bubbly surprise.

Mango tree in my Mum’s backyard was more than just a source of fruit—it was a childhood companion. On a sweltering afternoon, I plucked a few raw mangoes. As I entered the kitchen, the distinctive aroma of Gondhoraj lemons—bought by my father from local market—floated from the fruit bowl.

A crazy idea formed: why not combine these two intense flavors into a fizzy mocktail?

The Fizzy Gondhoraj Aam panna – first sip was a surprise. The tartness of the raw mango hit my tongue first, followed by a burst of complex, aromatic notes of the Gondhoraj lemon. The Sprite adds a sweet excitement that dances on your tongue, creating a light and refreshing texture. This culinary journey taught me the beauty of contrasts in cooking.

Whether you’re looking to cool down on a hot summer day, impress guests at a party, or simply indulge in a unique mocktail experience, this Fizzy Raw Mango and Gondhoraj Lemon mocktail with Sprite is sure to hit the spot.

So, the next time you come across raw mangoes and gondhoraj lemons, remember this tale. Embrace the tartness, celebrate the aroma, and let your gastronomic adventure begin!

Ingredients:

• Raw Mango – 1 Large
• Gondhoraj lemon – 1
• Sugar- 1/4 cup
• 1 can (330ml) of Sprite, chilled
• Water – 1 cup
• A pinch of black salt
• Ice
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Procedure:

1. Wash the mango and char grill the mango over the burner till the outer covering turns burnt.
2. Once it cools down, peel the mango skin.
3. Scrape the mango pulp and put it in a blender.
4. Puree the mango along with sugar and water until smooth.
5. Sieve the mango puree.
6. Zest one Gondhoraj lemon and set aside.
7. Juice the lemon and add the juice to the mango puree.
8. In a large bowl, mix the mango-lemon puree and the Gondhoraj zest.
9. Add a pinch of black salt. Stir well to combine.
10. Just before serving, gently fold in the chilled Sprite. Do this quickly to preserve as much fizz as possible. The mocktail will have a watery consistency at this point.
11. Garnish with mint leaves.

Tips for Success:

– The key to a fizzy mocktail is adding the Sprite just before serving. If you mix it in too early, you’ll lose all the bubbles.

– For an extra fancy presentation, serve the mocktail with Gondhoraj lemon wedges.