Mmm..Mastani

Summertime’s here and the droves of people heading to have their fill of the Mastani are soon to follow. Made from cold milk and ice-cream,fresh and and dry fruits,it’s served with ice-cream garnished with more dry fruits. Sinfully delicious and loaded with calories,the drink is a favourite with old-timers and the youth alike.

“We get around 300-400 people daily during the season,which is between March and June. Everyday,around 100 litres of milk is consumed to serve the drink,which is popular with people of all age-groups,” informs Prashant Shinde,of the Kasturi Mastani House and Café in Kothrud. “We have a lot of flavours,including mango,pista,pineapple,but the regular one is still the favourite of most customers,” he adds.

Available in as many as 19 flavours in some shops,like the Sujata Mastani House,the variety of the summer cooler is what makes people come back for more. “My favourite is the butterscotch Mastani,because it’s the perfect blend of two very different influences — the butterscotch blending perfectly with the authentic essence of the Mastani,” says Ashish Phadnis,a software professional.

The immense popularity the drink enjoys with foodies is not limited to just Pune. Travellers and visitors from across the nation make it a point to have a sip of the typically Pune drink. “On a short business trip here last week,a friend took me to a Mastani outlet in Viman Nagar. I loved the rich,creamy,milky flavour of the drink,” says Sanand Mitra,a consultant who hails from Bilaspur (Chattisgarh).

Making the most of the four-month-long ‘season’,when business is most brisk,Mastani houses across the city come up with newer and better recipes to satiate the craving of Puneites. “Upto 40 litres of milk is consumed daily in the summer and we come up with newer recipes for our customers every year,” avers Shivaji Khaire of Gauri Mastani House,located near Omkareshwar Chowk.

The next time you have a craving for a summer chiller,savour the rich,creamy flavours which define this unique drink,which is special to Pune. What makes it more special is the bit of history associated with the naming of the drink as Mastani,the beguiling courtesan,lives on,through this eponymous drink.

Mango Mastani
Ingredients
Mango Pulp of 2 mangoes
Sugar 1/2 cup
Milk 1/2 litre
Mango Ice-cream 1/2 litre
Method
* Mix mango pulp,sugar and milk in a blender
* Deep freeze for 15-20 mins
* Now again blend it well
* Serve in a large glass topped with a large scoop of mango ice-cream
* Garnish with dry fruits and cherries