It has the texture of mud, but you can still drink it. Cool, floral and sweet enough to feel like a treat—this rose and basil seed drink lasts 5 minutes, start to finish.
If your Eid table is already talking – the biryanis in the pipeline, the desserts in the queue, the seviyan soaking – this is for everything in between. A refreshing drink that cools you down, takes no time and requires nothing more than a blender and a moment.
You’ve probably seen basil (or sabja) seeds floating in tall glasses falooda. But that’s not it. No milk. No noodles. No sticky syrups. Just rose water, lime juice, a touch of maple and crushed ice. Light, floral, calming. It’s what I drink barefoot in the kitchen while the rice rests and the kids raid the mithai tray.

And those seeds? It’s not just about the texture. Soaked sabja seeds bloom into soft little pearls that have been used for generations in South Asian cuisine to cool the body—especially after a heavy meal or on hot, long days. They are rich in soluble fiber and ground quietly when the day is anything but.
The rose water lifts it with a soft floral note, while the lime is cut to keep it fresh – not aromatic. That balance is what makes it work.
Simple. Quickly. Indifferent. This rose drink is just what I try when I need a treat-like break.
This is how I make it






If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear from you! Share your rating, leave a comment and be sure to tag meInstagram@DesiliciousRD! Seeing your creations really makes my day!

Imprint
Basil seed drink with rose & lime
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Equipment
- 1 blenderhigh speed
Ingredients
- 2 ch basil seeds sabja
- 2 cups cold water
- 1½ cups ice cubes
- 1 Ms rose water
- 2 Ms lime juice freshly squeezed
- 2 ch maple syrup adjust to taste
- Optional: raspberries or fresh mint for garnish
Instructions
- Soak basil seeds in ¼ cup water for 15-20 minutes, until they puff up and form a jelly-like coating.
- In a pitcher or jar, combine the rosewater, lime juice, maple syrup, and 1¾ cups cold water. Mix well and refrigerate while you prepare the rest.
- Crush the ice in a high speed blender until you get a fine slush. Divide the crushed ice between 3 small glasses.
- Spoon the soaked basil seeds over the ice, then pour the rose mixture on top. Garnish with fresh mint if desired and serve immediately while chilled.
Video
Notes
Tips
- Don’t oversweeten. The mud becomes more intense as it melts. Start with 1 teaspoon, then taste and adjust.
- Add the soaked basil seeds after mixing – never before. Blending destroys them and you lose that signature texture.
- Want to dress it up? Crushed pistachios or a few pomegranates add color and crunch – especially great for Eid.
Nutrition
The post Rose & Lime Basil Seed Drink appeared first on Shahzadi Devje, RD CDE MSc | Healthy Indian Recipes | TV nutritionist.
