Paneer Soda Isn't Nearly As Cheesy As It Sounds

If you're a fan of Indian cuisine, you already know the many joys of paneer. Paneer is a soft, unaged cheese that consists of curdled milk and acid, typically lemon juice. While it's a great accompaniment to recipes like tikka masala and samosa, it's also quite tasty when enjoyed simply with naan, a type of Indian flatbread known for its pleasantly chewy texture and tangy undertones.

When it comes to Indian food, paneer is well-known and beloved by people all over the world. However, it's easy to see why people are often left scratching their heads when they first become aware of paneer soda. Based on the popular cheese preparation, one might naturally think that paneer soda contains the famous Indian cheese or offers some sort of cheese flavor. In fact, paneer soda and paneer are two wildly different things, as paneer soda is a subtly sweet delight that is used to celebrate big occasions.

Paneer soda gets its name from rose water, its most important ingredient. In Indian culture, the term "paneer" is synonymous with rose water, a flavor extract taken from, you guessed it, fresh rose petals. While rose water can be used in savory preparations, it often accompanies sweets, such as Gulab Jamuns, which are tasty fried dough balls. Rose water has a delicately sweet flavor profile, with hints of aromatic floral notes.

In India, many street food stands may offer the beverage as a cool and refreshing accompaniment to delicious recipes like chaat (starchy Indian street snacks), dahi vada (lentil fritters in yogurt sauce), and poha (flattened rice). However, paneer soda also has a sacred role in Indian weddings. As guests arrive to celebrate the big day, paneer soda is often sprinkled overhead to welcome them. If you're willing to try this delicious and culturally important beverage, you may have a hard time finding it outside of certain regions of the world. Fortunately, you can easily make your own with just a few ingredients.

To make paneer soda at home, you'll need a bottle of rose water, which can usually be found in the international aisle of your favorite supermarket, sugar, water, and soda water. Start by combining a half cup of sugar and three-fourths of water in a pot, which will be boiled over medium heat for about three minutes. At this point, remove the mixture and allow it to cool. Once cool, add three tablespoons of rose water and stir vigorously. It's important that you're conservative when adding rose water, as it can become overwhelming when too much is used.

You now have a base for your paneer soda, which can be placed in a sealed bottle and stored in the refrigerator for safekeeping. When you're ready to serve the drink, take the base and pour approximately three tablespoons into a glass over ice. Next, take your soda water and add it to the glass. You can adjust the amount of soda water you use based on how sweet or subtle you'd like the flavor to be. While paneer soda can be enjoyed any time of the year, it's a great beverage during the warm summer months.