Image Source: food.ndtv.com
Introduction
Panakam is an ancient, spiced drink dating back to ≈1000 BCE, prepared during Rama Navami. It blends jaggery, spices, and sometimes herbal extracts.
Ingredients:
Jaggery, lemon juice, black pepper, cardamom, ginger/pancha spices, water.
Instructions:
Dissolve jaggery and spices in warm water.
Add lemon juice and chill.
Pro Tips:
Serve cold only—flavors sharpen after chilling.
Serving Suggestions:
Offered as prasadam during religious processions in spring.
Fun Fact:
Named legendarily as Lord Rama’s favorite beverage—echoing 1000‑year‑old references.