Panakam/ Panagam is known to be Sri Rama Navami Special sweet drink. This will be all time favourite to many of us and prepared for all festivals. It is best thirst quencher as well as healthy drink prepared by perfect mixing of jaggery, lemon, dry ginger powder and cardamom powder.

Usually Sri Rama Navami marks the birthday of Lord Rama and according to the Hindu calendar it falls on ninth day of Chaitra month. As this is said to be the most loved drink by Lord Rama, prepare this traditional recipe on this special occasion and enjoy its taste.

Here are the simple steps of preparing Rama Navami Special drink Panakam/Panagam:

Cuisine: Indian
Category: Drink
Prep Time: 10 mins    
Serves: 2

Ingredients:

Jaggery, powdered/ Palm Sugar: 1/2 cup
Lemon: 1
Elachi/cardamom : 2
Dry ginger powder/sukku: 1/4 tsp
Pachai karpooram/edible camphor: A generous pinch
Salt: A pinch
Water: 2 cups
Thulasi/holy basil leaves: few
Nutmeg powder(optional): A pinch

Preparation:

Take jaggery in a bowl, add in some water and leave it aside till it is melted. Now strain this and add in more water.
To the above mixture squeeze lemon, add powdered elachi, dry ginger powder, edible camphor, salt and nutmeg powder.
Filter it using a strainer, add the thulasi leaves if desired and you can also add the skin of the elachi without discarding it, as it adds more flavor.
Adjust Jaggery and lemon according to your taste.
Serve chilled though tastes great as such!!

AW: Lizitha