Gaund Katira Sharbat: Traditional Summer Cooling Drink Recipe

Gaund Katira (Tragacanth gum) is a natural plant-based gum derived from the dried sap of Astragalus gummifer, a shrub native to the Middle East and Central Asia. When soaked in cold water, it swells to many times its original size, creating a cooling, silky gel.

In Unani and Ayurvedic tradition, it is classified as a 'sheet virya' ingredient — meaning it has a cooling potency — making it particularly valuable in India's hot months of May through July. Traditional North Indian summer drinks like Gaund Katira Sharbat and Thandai rely on this gum for both its luxurious texture and its body-cooling properties.

It is entirely natural, vegetarian, and free from additives — qualities that make it a trusted ingredient in heritage kitchens across Delhi and Punjab.

Kishmish (green long raisins) bring a range of dry fruits benefits to this sharbat. They are a natural source of iron (1.88 mg per 100 g, USDA FDC #9089) and potassium (749 mg per 100 g), which supports healthy fluid balance — exactly what the body needs during peak summer heat.

The natural fruit sugars in raisins provide a gentle, slow-release energy without the sharp spike of refined sugar. The dry fruits benefits extend to hydration as well: soaked raisins re-absorb water and contribute to the drink's overall fluid content, making the sharbat more nourishing than a simple syrup drink.

For best results, use plump naturally dried raisins that have not been treated with sulphur dioxide or artificial colouring.

Yes — and the best sharbat is always made with a head start. The Gaund Katira must be soaked the night before: it needs 6 to 8 hours of cold soaking to bloom fully into its characteristic silky gel.

The cardamom-mishri syrup can also be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. On the day of serving, combine the bloomed Gaund Katira, rose syrup, and the chilled cardamom syrup in a glass jug (without ice). This assembled base can be refrigerated for up to 4 hours.

Add crushed ice and garnishes only at the point of pouring to prevent dilution and preserve the textures.

Gaund Katira Sharbat is a traditional family drink consumed across generations in North India. Pregnant women have used Gaund Katira as a summer cooling tonic in Unani medicine for centuries, and it is widely prepared in Indian households for children and elderly family members during summer months.

Individuals with known sensitivities to plant gums or legume-family plants (Tragacanth belongs to the genus Astragalus) should consult a physician before consuming. For children under five, serve a smaller portion without ice.

The dry fruits benefits of raisins and cardamom in this recipe are well-documented and generally well-tolerated. If you have any specific dietary or medical concerns, please consult your healthcare provider.

Sindhi Dry Fruits has been sourcing and supplying premium Gaund Katira in Delhi since 1939. Our Gaund Katira is hand-selected for crystal clarity, free from adulteration, and stored in food-grade packaging to preserve freshness through the summer.

You can order premium Gaund Katira and all the dry fruits benefits-packed ingredients for this sharbat — including Green Long Raisins (Kishmish), Premium Green Elaichi, Mishri, and Sindhi Saffron Honey — directly from sindhidryfruits.live. We deliver across Delhi NCR and pan-India.

Our heritage dry fruits shop near me listings show we also operate from Old Delhi's Khari Baoli area, the largest spice and dry fruit market in Asia.