Pink Himalayan salt, fresh lime, mint & sparkling water — Thumkaa NJ
Tamarind (imli) water is one of India's oldest beverages. The tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica) is native to tropical Africa but has been cultivated in India for so long that it is considered indigenous — temples in Tamil Nadu have tamarind trees that are several hundred years old. The combination of tamarind's sour depth with salt and lime is India's foundational flavour combination, found in everything from chaat masala to pani puri water. Thumkaa's Spice Tamarind takes this combination and makes it a drink to sit with.
Tamarind concentrate (the smooth, dark, pourable kind) is what you want here — not the solid compressed tamarind block that needs soaking and straining. Indian brands like Tamicon or Laxmi are widely available. Pink Himalayan salt adds a slight mineral note that regular sea salt lacks. The mint should be a background note, not the dominant flavour.
Thumkaa Bar & Kitchen in Jamesburg, NJ, is proof that great Indian cocktail culture is spreading well beyond the major cities. The bar programme draws on traditional Indian ingredients — rose, tamarind, passion fruit, spice blends — and builds them into cocktails and mocktails with real craft. A destination worth the drive from anywhere in the tri-state area.
Visit thumkaa.com