Variyali (Saunf or Fennel) Sharbat

My grandmother used to make this sharbat in India during summer time. Its a cool and refreshing drink. I had been wanting to make this for a while now, but didn't know of the exact recipe for it. So, I just made my own...well kind of:) I remember a few of the ingredients that my grandmother used to add into this sharbat, and I added some more which I thought might go well:)

Here is the recipe for making Variyali sharbat.
2 Tablespoon variyali (Fennel or Saunf)
1 1/2 Tablespoon sugar
1-2 no. black pepper
1 clove
1 teaspoon khus khus (Poppy seeds)
1 1/2 cup water

Method: Mix and grind all the above dry ingredients into a fine powder. Soak in 1-1/2 cup water overnight. On the next day, drain the liquid and refrigerate for atleast 4 hours. Serve Cold.

I bet you will love it. It is sweet, and refreshing with fennel flavour, and also with just a little hint of black pepper which makes you wonder hummmm what is it!!! :)
Enjoy.

P.S: If any one has a recipe for the "original" fennel sharbat, please let me know. I would love to make it the way my grandmother used to make it.

Now a note about my garden: I have heard that Fennel plants attract butterflies, so I planted fennel in a small pot about 15 days ago. I just put some store bought fennel (fennel seeds)in a pot filled with potting soil. Now, my plants are already 2 inches tall. Warm weather in last weeks have helped my plants grow quickly.

If you plan to plant fennel, plant them in pots. Fennel plants are invasive. If you plant them in your outdoor garden, your garden will be covered with these plants in no time. Also don't plant fennel in the same pot where coriander (cilantro) or tomatoes are planted.

Transfer the pot outdoors when its warm and sunny outside. Enjoy some colorful butterflies, and sweet fennel in your yard:)

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