The savory version of the sattu drink — sharp, cooling, and earthy. Black salt (kala namak) is what makes it taste right; the sulfurous, eggy note is intentional and traditional. Cooling in the Ayurvedic sense — commonly drunk in Bihar and UP through the summer as a morning drink or midday coolant. Nothing like the sweet version.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp sattu flour (roasted black chickpea flour)
- 1 cup cold water
- ¼ tsp black salt (kala namak), adjust to taste
- ¼ tsp roasted cumin powder
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 green chilli, finely chopped (optional — adds heat)
- 1 tsp finely chopped onion (optional)
- 1 tsp finely chopped fresh coriander
Garnish
- Lemon wedge
- Pinch of chaat masala
Instructions
Make
- Add sattu flour to a glass. Add a small amount of water and mix into a smooth paste first — this prevents lumps when you add the rest of the water.
- Add remaining cold water and stir well until fully combined.
- Add black salt, roasted cumin powder, and lemon juice. Stir.
- Add green chilli, onion, and coriander if using. Stir again.
- Taste and adjust — more lemon for sharpness, more black salt for depth, more cumin for warmth.
- Add ice, squeeze the lemon wedge over the top, dust with chaat masala. Serve immediately.
Storage
- Drink immediately — sattu settles fast. Stir before each sip if it sits.
- Pre-mix the dry spices (black salt, cumin, chaat masala) and keep as a sachet for quick assembly.
Variations
- Sweet version: See Sattu — replace all the savory elements with jaggery, fennel seeds, and mint.
- Ginger version: Add ½ tsp freshly grated ginger for extra heat and digestive boost.
- Thicker: Reduce water to ½ cup for a sippable paste — more filling, traditional breakfast consistency.
Notes
- Kala namak is non-negotiable for the authentic flavor. Regular salt produces a flat, one-dimensional drink.
- The onion and chilli are optional but traditional in Bihar-style sattu — they add crunch and freshness.
- Sattu flour from black chickpeas (kala chana) has more flavor than versions made from regular chickpeas. Worth seeking out at Indian grocery stores.
Added Oct 6, 2026 · Updated Oct 26, 2026