My Favorite Cool Drink – “Bajirao Mastani”

Yesterday afternoon I enjoyed a fiery Kolhapuri Style meal for lunch – and then – I rounded off the hot spicy meal with a cool soothing Mastani.

MASTANI

PUNE’S SIGNATURE COOL DRINK

By

VIKRAM KARVE 

MASTANI – PUNE’S SIGNATURE COOL DRINK

What is a perfect end to a rich and heavy Mughlai Meal...? 

A Kulfi...? 

Well – I prefer a cool refreshing Falooda. 

I nostalgically remember the the ice cold Shahi Gulab Falooda I always had at Shalimar in Bhendi Bazar after devouring my favorite tandoori raan masala and other spicy rich non-veg delights. 

And – what is a perfect end to a spicy Kolhapuri Meal...? 

It is a “Mastani” – no doubt about it – a cool, refreshing, lip-smacking Mastani to quench your fires and perk you up with its blissful sweet cool revitalizing effect. 

“Mastani” is to Pune what “Falooda” is to Mumbai.

You get Mastani at many places in Pune. 

The first time I tasted Mastani (when I was a small boy) was at Kawre Cold Drink House near Ganpati Chowk off Laxmi Road – but now – I feel that their Mastani isn’t as good as before.

Punekar’s have their favorites like Sujata Mastani in Sadashiv Peth – which is close to the “Kolhapuri” food district of Pune near Peru Gate.

But – I like the “Mastani” at Gujar Mastani House near City Pride Multiplex on Satara Road. 

At Gujar Mastani House – I order a “Bajirao Mastani”.

If you look at the menu – you will get confused – as there feature all types of fancy Mastani fortified with dry fruits and all sorts of rich high-calorie embellishments – which will in fact will make you feel heavy and slothful – rather than quench, stimulate, revitalize and perk you up. 

So remember the golden rule – in any menu card – the “signature” no-frills authentic item will always be at the top of the menu – least expensive in that class – so go ahead and order it. 

Here is a Picture of the “Bajirao Mastani” I relished just yesterday. 

Bajirao Mastani

The contents of the tall glass comprise an attractively appetizing looking and fragrant layered creamy milky liquid of increasing density topped with ice-cream – with a straw thrust vertically through.  

The glass is so full – that in order not to spill the stuff – you first sip through the straw a bit of the deliciously sweet pineapple syrup at the bottom – which feels heavenly as it mingles with – permeates – and overcomes – the spicy “Kolhapuri” aftertaste on your tongue. 

And – if you are just plain parched, dehydrated and thirsty – the first sweet sip itself is deliciously thirst-quenching. 

Then – you have small dollops of vanilla and pineapple ice-creams that adorn the crown. 

After that – you can savour the Mastani as you please – but I like to stir the contents into a creamy mélange – and spoon the delicious concoction onto my tongue – roll it in my mouth – and savor every drop – rather than hastily suck the liquid via the straw straight into my throat down the hatch.

The “Bajirao Mastani” at Gujar is pineapple and orange flavored and the small juicy pieces of pineapple at the end leave you with a tangy feeling.  

I don’t know if you get “Mastani” in Mumbai – or elsewhere. 

But next time you visit Pune – do enjoy a Mastani. 

Eat a “Kolhapuri” meal to your heart’s content – and end off with a Mastani.

Or – just have a Mastani if you are feeling parched on a hot summer day as a thirst-quencher. 

Do tell me – after enjoying a cool soothing glass of Mastani – didn’t you feel refreshed and perked up...? 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

Revised Repost of my Foodie Article written in the year 2006 and posted online earlier at url http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/02/mastani-punes-signature-cool-drink.html  and  https://vwkarve.wordpress.com/2007/03/19/mastani/  and  http://creative.sulekha.com/mastani-pune-s-favourite-thirst-quencher_409877_blog  etc

MASTANI - PUNE’S SIGNATURE COOL DRINK

This evening I went for a long walk on Satara Road in Pune

How could I walk past Gujar Mastani House without enjoying their signature “Bajirao Mastani”

While I sipped the refreshingly cool soothing Mastani, I remembered a foodie article I had written long back on MASTANI

Here is an abridged and updated version for you to savour

The next time you visit Pune, make sure you enjoy a Mastani...

MASTANI

PUNE’S SIGNATURE COOL DRINK

By

VIKRAM KARVE

From my Foodie Archives:

Mouthwatering Pune Foodie Memories 

A Deliciously Cool Post from the Past for you to savour:

MASTANI – PUNE’S SIGNATURE COOL DRINK

What is a perfect end to a rich and heavy Mughlai Meal? 

A Kulfi? 

Well, I prefer a cool refreshing Falooda. 

I nostalgically remember the the ice cold Shahi Gulab Falooda I always have at Shalimar in Bhendi Bazar after devouring my favorite tandoori raan masala and other spicy rich non-veg delights. 

And what is a perfect end to a spicy Kolhapuri Meal? 

It is a Mastani – no doubt about it – a cool, refreshing, lip-smaking Mastani to quench your fires and perk you up with it’s blissful sweet cool revitalizing effect. 

Mastani is to Pune what Falooda is to Mumbai.

You get Mastani at many places in Pune. 

The first time I tasted Mastani when I was a small boy was at Kawre Cold drink House near Ganpati Chowk off Laxmi Road, but now I feel that their Mastani isn’t as good as before.

Punekar’s have their favorites like Sujata Mastani in Sadashiv Peth, which is close to the “Kolhapuri” food district of Pune near Peru Gate, but I like the Mastani at Gujar Mastani House near City Pride Multiplex on Satara Road. 

At Gujar Mastani House, I order a “Bajirao Mastani”.

If you look at the menu, you will get confused, as there feature all types of fancy Mastanis fortified with dry fruits and all sorts of rich high-calorie embellishments, which will in fact will make you feel heavy and slothful, rather than quench, stimulate, revitalize and perk you up. 

So remember the golden rule, the “signature” no-frills authentic item will always be at the top of the menu, least expensive in that class – so go ahead and order it.

The contents of the tall glass comprise an attractively appetizing looking and fragrant layered creamy milky liquid of increasing density topped with ice-cream, with a straw thrust vertically through.  

The glass is so full, that in order not to spill the stuff, you first sip through the straw a bit of the deliciously sweet pineapple syrup at the bottom, which feels heavenly as it mingles with, permeates, and overcomes, the spicy “Kolhapuri” aftertaste on your tongue. 

And if you are just plain parched, dehydrated and thirsty, the first sweet sip itself is deliciously thirst-quenching. 

Then you have small dollops of vanilla and pineapple ice-creams that adorn the crown. 

After that you can savour the Mastani as you please, but I like to stir the contents into a creamy mélange and spoon the delicious concoction onto my tongue, roll it in my mouth and savor every drop, rather than hastily suck the liquid via the straw straight into my throat down the hatch.

The “Bajirao Mastani” at Gujar is pineapple and orange flavored and the small juicy pieces of pineapple at the end leave you with a tangy feeling.  

I don’t know if you get “Mastani” in Mumbai, or elsewhere. 

But next time you visit Pune, do enjoy a Mastani. 

Eat a “Kolhapuri” meal to your heart’s content and end off with a Mastani, or just have one if you are feeling parched on a hot summer day as a thirst-quencher. 

And tell me, after enjoying a cool soothing glass of Mastani, didn’t you feel refreshed and perked up?

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. 

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright. 

Copyright © Vikram Karve all rights reserved

Did you like this story?

I am sure you will like the 27 short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

COCKTAIL ebook

If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional  and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@hotmail.com

Twitter: @vikramwkarve

      

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

MASTANI - FAVOURITE PUNE COOL DRINK

MASTANI

FAVOURITE PUNE COOL DRINK

By

VIKRAM KARVE

From my Foodie Archives:

Mouthwatering Memories 

A Deliciously Cool Post from the Past for you to savor on this blazing hot summer afternoon

What is a perfect end to a rich and heavy Mughlai Meal? 

A Kulfi? 

Well, I prefer a cool refreshing Falooda. 

I nostalgically remember the the ice cold Shahi Gulab Falooda I always have at Shalimar in Bhendi Bazar after devouring my favorite tandoori raan masala and other spicy rich non-veg delights. 

And what is a perfect end to a spicy Kolhapuri Meal? 

It is a Mastani – no doubt about it – a cool, refreshing, lip-smaking Mastani to quench your fires and perk you up with it’s blissful sweet cool revitalizing effect. 

Mastani is to Pune what Falooda is to Mumbai.

You get Mastani at many places in Pune. 

The first time I tasted Mastani when I was a small boy was at Kawre Cold drink House near Ganpati Chowk off Laxmi Road, but now I feel that their Mastani isn’t as good as before.

Punekar’s have their favorites like Sujata Mastani in Sadashiv Peth, which is close to the “Kolhapuri” food district of Pune near Peru Gate, but I like the Mastani at Gujar Mastani House near City Pride on Satara Road. 

At Gujar, I order a “Bajirao Mastani”.

If you look at the menu, you will get confused, as there feature all types of fancy Mastanis fortified with dry fruits and all sorts of rich high-calorie embellishments, which will in fact will make you feel heavy and slothful, rather than quench, stimulate, revitalize and perk you up. 

So remember the golden rule, the “signature” no-frills authentic item will always be at the top of the menu, least expensive in that class – so go ahead and order it.

The contents of the tall glass comprise an attractively appetizing looking and fragrant layered creamy milky liquid of increasing density topped with ice-cream, with a straw thrust vertically through.  

The glass is so full, that in order not to spill the stuff, you first sip through the straw a bit of the deliciously sweet pineapple syrup at the bottom, which feels heavenly as it mingles with, permeates, and overcomes, the spicy “Kolhapuri” aftertaste on your tongue. 

And if you are just plain parched, dehydrated and thirsty, the first sweet sip itself is deliciously thirst-quenching. 

Then you have small dollops of vanilla and pineapple ice-creams that adorn the crown. 

After that you can savor the Mastani as you please, but I like to stir the contents into a creamy mélange and spoon the delicious concoction onto my tongue, roll it in my mouth and savor every drop, rather than hastily suck the liquid via the straw straight into my throat down the hatch.

The “Bajirao Mastani” at Gujar is pineapple and orange flavored and the small juicy pieces of pineapple at the end leave you with a tangy feeling.  

I don’t know if you get “Mastani” in Mumbai, or elsewhere. 

But next time you visit Pune, do enjoy a Mastani. 

Eat a “Kolhapuri” meal to your heart’s content and end off with a Mastani, or just have one if you are feeling parched on a hot summer day as a thirst-quencher. 

And tell me, after enjoying a cool soothing glass of Mastani, didn’t you feel refreshed and perked up?

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 
© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

NB:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013. All Rights Reserved

Did you like reading this blog post?
I am sure you will like all the 27 stories in my book  COCKTAIL an anthology of Short Fiction.
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html
COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional  and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramwamankarve@gmail.com

Twitter: @vikramkarve

      

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

MONSOON COCKTAIL - How to Make Hot Cocktails

MONSOON COCKTAIL

Two Hot Cocktails to Warm You up in the Rain

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Monsoon Rains have arrived in Pune. It is raining incessantly all day – windy, damp, cold, squalls of rain drench me from the insides as I stand in my balcony in Wakad enjoying the awesome view of the Misty Mula Valley, surrounded by the instantly Green Hills, and the silhouette of the mighty Sinhagad Fort barely visible in the distance.

In order to enhance the experience of such moments you desperately need something to warm your insides.

A cup of tea?

Let us fortify your tea with something stronger.

Here are two recipes for Tea Based Hot Cocktails from my Foodie Archives – Take your pick …

WHISKY TEA TODDY

Here is one of my favourite “Hot Cocktails” – a rousing Whisky Tea Toddy – just the right thing to fire you up inside out on the dampest of days and coldest of nights – a recipe breathtaking in its simplicity.

By the way, I am sure you know there are five ways of making a cocktail:

1. Layering

2. Building

3. Blending

4. Shaking

5. Stirring.

Here we will “build” our Whisky Tea Toddy, which means that we will pour the ingredients directly in a large mug (or a glass tumbler), one by one, strictly in the order given in the recipe below.

Brew one cup of steaming hot tea (orange pekoe steeped for 5 minutes if you prefer the flavour and aroma or your usual “boiled” CTC tea if you want it strong and rejuvenating).

Strain and keep the tea brew piping hot on the stove or in a vacuum flask.

Now let us “Build” our Whisky Toddy Cocktail.

1. First, pour a generous spoon of Honey into a glass (or mug). Let the honey settle at the bottom of the glass.

2. Add a large peg of Whisky.

3. Optional Ingredient (Lemon Juice) - The person who taught me this recipe liked to squeeze in a wee bit of lemon juice, but I prefer it without the lemon juice – you can experiment and see for yourself, but if you do add just a very few drops. Remember, just add the drops of lemon juice – Do Not Stir at this stage and ruin the Cocktail.

4. Pour in the steaming hot brewed Tea

Now that you have “built up” your Cocktail you can give it a light stir to enable all the ingredients to mix.

Now cuddle up on your warm sofa and sip the invigorating Tea Toddy.

Close your eyes, focus on your insides as the hot whisky toddy goes down inside you and experience how it warms you inside out.

If you prefer, try a large peg of Brandy instead of Whisky, but do not substitute Rum in lieu of the Whisky.

Rum Toddy is made differently –  this cocktail is “blended” not “built” and you will really have “spice it up”.

I am giving below the recipe for Rum Toddy.

RUM TODDY - A ZESTY HOT COCKTAIL

(A Spicy Cocktail with Tea, Rum and Brandy)

1. Brew one cup of steaming hot tea (orange pekoe steeped for 5 minutes if you prefer the flavour and aroma or your usual “boiled” CTC tea if you want it strong and rejuvenating).

2. Strain the tea in another vessel and keep this tea brew simmering on a slow flame.

3. Add a few cloves (lavang), a pinch of nutmeg (Jaiphal) powder, a small stick of cinnamon (dalchini), close the lid and simmer for some time.

4. Blend in a teaspoon of honey.

5. Pour in One Large Peg of Rum and blend in.

6. Pour in One Large Peg of Brandy and blend in.

7. The moment the concoction boils, strain and pour into a glass tumbler.

This steaming hot spicy rum cocktail is guaranteed to warm your insides and drive away the chill on a cold, damp, wet, rainy day.

(If you are allergic to tea, use water instead of tea and caramelized sugar instead of honey, for both the Whisky and Rum Hot Cocktails)

Hey, what are you waiting for?

Just rush to your Kitchen (or Bar) and quickly make your Hot Cocktail and “Down the Hatch” – I guarantee it will enliven your spirits on the dampest, wettest and coldest of monsoon days.

Do tell us which of these two cocktails you liked more.

Cheers.

Top Up and Dance in the Rain and enjoy the Monsoon Season. 

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like this COCKTAIL?
I am sure you will like the 27 fiction short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL 
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.