Masala Lemonade
Get directions ↗ · 2 min walk from Grand Mercure
Last orders 30 minutes before closing
Dine-in · takeaway · delivery via GrabFood and LINE MAN
Frequently Asked Questions
How is it served?
It is served cold over ice in a tall glass, usually garnished with a fresh lemon wheel.
Is it carbonated?
We prepare it with still water by default, but it can easily be mixed with soda water upon request.
What makes it a "masala" drink?
The addition of traditional Indian spices like roasted cumin, black pepper, and black salt gives it a unique, savory kick.
Is it sweet or salty?
It features a balanced sweet, sour, and mildly salty flavor profile all at once.
Is it spicy hot?
It is not hot-spicy, but it possesses a peppery, tangy zest from the special spice blend.
About Masala Lemonade
Masala lemonade is our version of shikanji, the spiced North Indian lemonade that street vendors across Delhi, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh sell by the glass through the punishing summer months. It looks like ordinary lemonade but tastes like nothing of the sort — the addition of Indian spices turns a simple sweet-sour drink into something savoury, complex and far more thirst-quenching, the difference between a soft drink and a genuine restorative.
We make ours fresh per order from squeezed lime juice, water and a little sugar, then lift it with the shikanji seasoning: black salt, roasted cumin powder and crushed fresh mint. The result is sour, lightly sweet and distinctly savoury all at once, with the black salt giving its characteristic tang and the cumin a warm, earthy base note. It is served cold over ice in a roughly 300ml glass, and we keep it freshly mixed rather than poured from a pre-made syrup.
What sets it apart from a plain lemonade is exactly that savoury edge — the salt and cumin make it genuinely rehydrating, which is why shikanji is the drink Indians reach for in real heat rather than a sugary bottled soda. It is an excellent match for our fried and richer starters, where the sharp, salty-sour profile cuts through oil and resets the palate, and it works equally well simply as a refreshing non-alcoholic option through the meal. If you find ordinary soft drinks too flat or too sweet, this is the one to try. Vegetarian, made with fresh lime, and one of our most refreshing drinks.
Two minutes from Grand Mercure Bangkok Atrium and Lancaster Hotel; free parking at the Bangchak gas station right next door. Visit BHARAT →
See also: the Beverages menu · all drinks & beverages · best Indian food in Bangkok · order for delivery.