Beat this summer with Kulukki Sarbath: Kochi's zesty, shaken delight

Darshana Sugathan

Kochi, the vibrant port city of Kerala, is known for its blend of tradition and modernity — a place where colonial history meets backwater calm, and where spices still rule the streets. But there’s one unassuming drink that captures the very essence of Kochi’s spirit — the iconic Kulukki Sarbath.

For many Kochiites, a glass of Kulukki Sarbath is more than just refreshment. It’s nostalgia in a tumbler. It’s the taste of college breaks, of humid afternoons in the city, of standing in line at a favorite local stall while watching the expert shake his way to the perfect mix.

What Is Kulukki Sarbath?

In Malayalam, “kulukki” means “shaken” and “sarbath” is a local term for a sweet, tangy, thirst-quenching drink. Together, Kulukki Sarbath translates to “shaken sarbath,” and that’s exactly what it is — a citrus-based, sweet-spicy drink that’s vigorously shaken and served chilled. Think of it as the Kochi cousin of lemonade, but with more drama, more flair, and a definite kick.

A typical glass of Kulukki Sarbath contains lime juice, basil seeds, crushed ice, sugar syrup, a pinch of salt and green chilli slivers.

Some versions also include pineapple essence or soda, depending on the creativity of the vendor.

The shake that makes it special

What truly sets this drink apart isn’t just the ingredients — it’s the performance. The sarbath is assembled in a steel glass, given a quick swirl to blend the flavours, and then shaken vigorously, cocktail-style, by the street vendor. This shaking not only chills the drink but also aerates it, giving it a foamy, lively texture that adds to its refreshing appeal.

A drink born in the streets

Kulukki Sarbath is believed to have originated in Kozhikode but made famous by Kochi vendors. Kulukki Sarbath’s rise to fame can be traced back to the busy bylanes of Kochi, where local vendors turned hydration into art. While lemon juice stalls are common across Kerala, it was Kochi’s street vendors — particularly in areas like Broadway, Fort Kochi and Mattancherry — who began adding that dramatic shake and a dash of chilli, making the drink a sensory experience.

As demand increased, so did the variety of options. Takruddin, who runs the KulukkiThakka shop in Kaloor, says, “Natural flavours are the most popular now—like gooseberry (nellikka), raw mango, pineapple and grape. Earlier, we used to rely on syrups, but now we use fresh fruits for better taste and health benefits.”

A standard Kulukki is priced at Rs 40, while the versions with Boost added cost Rs 50.

Avil milk has emerged as a strong competitor to Kulukki Sarbath during the hot season. It comes in a range of flavours and is available with or without ice cream. Instead of using ice, Avil milk is made with frozen milk, which gives it its distinct taste.

Major health hazards of Kulukki Sarbath (especially street versions)

Despite its widespread popularity, Kulukki Sarbath has come under scrutiny by health officials in the city due to concerns over substandard ingredients and unhygienic preparation methods. Inspections and raids have revealed the use of harmful synthetic food colours or non-food grade colours, while the ice used in many stalls was found to be contaminated - in some cases, even sourced from fish storage units containing ammonia. Additionally, the quality of water used in the preparation has raised significant health concerns like high risk of waterborne diseases such as typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A and diarrhoea.

But a few vendors also use ice cubes from licensed suppliers that are priced at Rs18/19 per kg. So make sure you check before you try a Kulukki.

Kulukki goes global

What started as a humble street-side drink is now showing up in cafes and Instagram reels. Thanks to Kerala’s thriving tourism and the growing interest in regional foods, Kulukki Sarbath is slowly gaining recognition beyond the state’s borders. It’s even found its way to menus in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Dubai — always keeping its spicy-sweet identity intact.

Whether you are a local who grew up with it or a curious traveller looking to taste the city, this shaken sarbath is a must-try. So the next time you’re in Kochi and the sun’s high overhead, find a street vendor, ask for a kulukki, and get ready for a chilled explosion of flavour, Kochi-style.