Masala Soda (Indian Spiced Soda)
Why this recipe works
- Bright and cooling: Lemon juice, ice and chilled sparkling water keep the drink crisp, light and thirst-quenching.
- Balanced sharpness: A little sugar softens the lemon, while black salt and chaat masala add savoury depth without making the drink heavy.
- Ready in minutes: The spiced lemon base is stirred together quickly, then topped with soda just before serving.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Serve straight away: Add the sparkling water at the end and serve immediately so the drink stays cold and fizzy.
Ingredient notes
- Black salt: Kala namak gives masala soda its distinctive savoury, mineral note; add it cautiously and adjust only after tasting.
- Chaat masala: Chaat masala brings tangy, salty spice in one blend, so the final flavour can vary slightly depending on the brand.
- Lemon or lime: Lemon gives a rounded citrus flavour, while lime makes the drink sharper and more aromatic.
Make-ahead tips
- Make the base ahead: The lemon, sugar and spice mixture can be prepared a few hours in advance and kept chilled.
- Finish just before serving: Add ice, mint and sparkling water only when ready to drink to preserve the fizz and freshness.
Common mistakes
- Losing the fizz: Avoid vigorous stirring after adding the sparkling water; one or two gentle turns are enough.
- Adding too much black salt: Black salt is assertive, so taste before adding more, especially if the chaat masala is already salty.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir the caster sugar with the juice of the lemon until mostly dissolved. Whisk in the chaat masala, ground cumin, and black salt.
- Fill a glass with the ice cubes and add the mint leaves, lightly pressing them against the side of the glass to release their aroma. Pour in the spiced lemon mixture.
- Top up with the chilled sparkling water and stir gently once or twice so it stays fizzy. Taste and adjust with a tiny extra pinch of black salt if you like, then serve straight away.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Chill the glass for a few minutes before making the drink for an extra-cold, longer-lasting fizz.
- Add the sparkling water last and stir gently to keep the bubbles lively.
- If serving to children or anyone sensitive to salt, start with a smaller pinch of black salt and add more only after tasting.
Substitutions
- Replace caster sugar with agave syrup for a softer sweetness that dissolves instantly.
- Replace lemon with lime for a sharper, more aromatic citrus note.
- Replace fresh mint with fresh basil for a different herbal lift.
Storage
- Best made and served immediately. If needed, mix the lemon, sugar, and spices up to 4 hours ahead and keep chilled; add ice cubes, fresh mint, and sparkling water just before serving.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 1 glasses
- Total time: 5min (5min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Indian
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