Jigarthanda recipe, Easy jil jil jigarthanda

Jigarthanda recipe, is a famous drink in Madurai. It is basically a rich drink as well as loaded with body coolant making it perfect for summer. Learn how to make this at home with quick video, step by step photos.

Firstly, I have to first admit that I have never tasted jigarthanda before, though I really wanted to.

Every time stare at the Jigarthanda picture in Murugan Idli shop, but never tried it. I am going to try soon in a restaurant too. However, after I tried few days back, I am really liking its rich taste.

About

What is meant by the term Jigarthanda?

Jigar means heart and thanda means as you know indeed cool. So it means cooling your heart.

So with badam pisin (and agar agar/ kadal pasi in some cases, it cools the body too) it is a cold beverage served in summer mainly. (Source: Wikipedia)

Jigarthanda ingredients

Milk - Full cream milk reduced by simmering until a caramelize color and flavor it gets.

In my version I have used evaporated milk we get here in Singapore. It is apt for this drink.

Nanari syrup - Source on a good quality flavorful syrup. Some are simply too much sugar and no flavor.

Ice cream -Traditionally homemade icecream (in-house) is used. Where they just make ice cream with reduced milk (badam milk), corn starch.

You can use store bought as well. Vanilla ice cream, lychee (litchi) or rose ice cream works too.

Badam pisin - Almond gum available at shops. (agar agar is also used in some cases)

These are the are main ingredients in Jigarthanda.

Madurai Special

It is originated in Madurai and it is famous for authentic jigarthanda drink.

Wanted to revisit this recipe after I saw lovely videos in Youtube of the authentic Jigarthanda they serve in Madurai street shops especially.

I have couple of my classmates in Madurai and asked them about Jigarthanda.

She sent a video in which they show how they make. It was too tempting. Even they bring their toddlers and feed them.

Why so special

The body coolant and rich ingredients, makes it super hit.

For people like me who live abroad and have no idea about such authentic foods, now a days Youtube videos are really a savior. It tastes us to the reality and shows us raw footage of the place.

Some day I should taste the authentic Madurai special Jigarthanda, atleast once in Sri Murugan here (which they say not authentic these days), still it's in my list to try. Check out my rose milkshake

I have given a simple method to prepare with easy steps to follow. It may not be the authentic recipe, yet I promise it is a delicious one. You can prepare and home and enjoy.

How to make Jiagarthanda

Firstly, start with badam pisin (Almond gum) or mixture of both badam pisin and agar agar (kadal pasi). After that, add nannari syrup to it.

Furthermore, in goes thick boiled milk as well as ice cream made from the same thick boiled milk.

Topped with malai formed while reducing milk. Finally squirt again, a dash of nannari syrup.

My notes

Just reduced the milk and it had malai in it by itself during reducing the milk. In the video, I tried adding a portion evaporated milk and it worked really well.

Do not use condensed milk. Evaporated milk is just reduced milk without any sweetener.

Make sure to use good quality nanari syrup otherwise it could kill the recipe.

The one I used in the video was quite a disappointment as it had only colour and too much of sugar without any flavour! 777, Mambalam iyer brand works better.

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Jigarthanda recipe

Jigarthanda is a famous drink in Madurai. It is basically a rich drink as well as loaded with body coolant. Perfect for summer.

Course Drinks

Cuisine Indian, South Indian

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Soaking time 10 hours hours

Servings 2

1x2x3x

Cup measurements

Ingredients

• 2 cups Milk
• 1 teaspoon Badam pisin soak overnight
• 4 tablespoon Nannari sarbath syrup Indian Sarsaparilla root syrup
• ½ teaspoon Agar agar/ China grass Optional
• 2 scoops Ice cream vanilla, rose flavours work
• 1 tablespoon Tutti frutti, dry fruits nuts (optional)
• ¼ cup Evaporated milk optional

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Instructions

• Wash once and soak badam pisin overnight in lots of water. It gives so much volume, so you can add about 2 cups for 1 tsp.
• Keep refrigerated for cooling.Boil milk until the volume is reduced to half. Cool down and keep refrigerated until use.
• To prepare Agar agar jelly: I used vanilla flavored agar agar powder, and recommend to use powder as it is fuss free to dissolve.
• Just follow the instructions given in the back as each brand is different.
• At the time of serving, take out the set jelly and in the serving glasses, add 2 tablespoon of the jelly and about 3-4 tablespoon of soaked badam pisin.
• Add nannari syrup in each glass, followed by the chilled thick milk. You can add evaporated milk at this stage.
• Lastly scoop ice cream to each on top. Garnish with tutti frutti if you like it. You can add the malai layer (paal adai) a bit too on top .

Video

Notes

• You can use any colour of china grass, I preferred white, but mine is flavored. Vanilla flavored.
• ½ teaspoon agar agar powder and 1 cup water will work.
• You can top with some rose flavored syrup too.
• Any rich ice cream that can go with this can be used. I used lytchi / lychee flavoured ice cream in video and loved it.

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Jigarthanda step by step

1. Wash once and soak badam pisin overnight in lots of water. It gives so much volume, so you can add about 2 cups for 1 tsp. Keep refrigerated for cooling.
2. Boil milk until the volume is reduced to half. Cool down and keep refrigerated until use.
3. To prepare Agar agar jelly: I used vanilla flavored agar agar powder, and recommend to use powder as it is fuss free to dissolve. Just follow the instructions given in the back as each brand is different.
4. At the time of serving, take out the set jelly and in the serving glasses, add 2 tablespoon of the jelly. and about 3-4 tablespoon of soaked badam pisin.
5. Add nannari syrup in each glass, followed by the chilled thick milk. You can add evaporated milk at this stage.
   
6. Lastly scoop ice cream to each on top. Garnish with tutti frutti if you like it. You can add the malai layer (paal adai) a bit too on top .

Enjoy the cold, rich and delicious drink to cool down you from inside out!