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A viral video capturing the attention of viewers shows a packet of Vimal Pan Masala being added to a glass of Shikanji.
The vendor places the emptied pan masala packet on the straw. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
Shikanji is one of India’s most beloved drinks known for its tangy burst of lime and soda flavours that can instantly refresh the mood. It is a popular choice during the summer making it a favourite among foodies. But recently, social media has been abuzz with videos of street vendors giving traditional recipes a bizarre twist and Shikanji has not been spared from these experiments. One such video, which is bound to leave you baffled, shows a shop vendor preparing a unique Shikanji with an unexpected ingredient: Vimal Pan Masala.
The now-viral video, shared on Instagram, shows the vendor preparing his special drink by combining the popular Shikanji with Vimal pan masala. The preparation starts off normally with water poured into a glass followed by freshly squeezed lemon juice, mint leaves and ginger. But then comes the twist we wished we hadn’t seen – a pouch of Vimal Pan Masala is emptied into the mix and stirred well. And that’s not all, drinks often come garnished with a lemon or orange wedge on the glass rim but this vendor took it a step further by placing the emptied pan masala packet on the straw (as if it wasn’t shocking enough already).
The video, captioned in Hindi as “Special Vimal Shikanji,” has left viewers both stunned and curious. It has accumulated more than 43 million views so far.
This isn’t the first time we have seen strange drinks that leave us completely confused. And if you think these unusual creations are only found in India, think again. Coffee lovers were sent into panic mode by a new drink trend that has gone viral in China in recent months. The beverage is called Scallion Latte. To make it, green onions are mashed at the bottom of a cup, followed by ice, milk and coffee. Finally, it is topped with chopped green onions.
This unusual drink has become so popular that it is reportedly being served in multiple cafes. It is part of what is often referred to in China as ‘dark cuisine’ or ‘hei an liao li,’ a category of food and beverages designed to challenge conventional tastes. These unusual creations often mix unexpected flavours leaving people both intrigued and unsettled. Another example of this trend is the “chilli hot ice latte.”
