Panipuri Shots
Crispy puri cups filled with a pani mixture that includes water, mint, cilantro, chaat masala, and gin make panipuri shots! These were so fun to make and so fun to take! It’s yet another entry in my long list of foods I am turning into shots!
The inspiration for this recipe
I have been making shots out of all sorts of foods recently and someone said I should try it with panipuri. I loved the idea and grabbed a bunch of puri next time I saw them! To me, this was one of the easiest and most natural things to turn into a shot that I have done so far. The pani in panipuri means water – and it is referencing the flavorful water that you pour into the puri after you add the filing. I made a version of pani with gin, thinking the botanical flavors would match well with the cilantro and mint. Instead of adding a filling to this, I just added the shot to the puri. You have to take it somewhat quickly after you pour the water in though!
Make the pani shot mixture
I used this recipe from Dassana’s Veg Recipes as a guide to help me get the flavors in the panipuri shots right. I added a little more herbs, including some parsley, and replaced about 3/4 of the water with gin. If I am making a shot, I want it to hit you like a shot! Start with cilantro, mint, and parsley, then add chaat masala, cumin, ginger, and lime juice.
Some honey, ice water, and gin finish it! Check out Dessana’s recipe if you are looking for something more authentic, or want to see exactly everything I changed. I was trying to balance the authentic flavors while making it work as a shot as well.
Pour the panipuri shots
Wait to pour the panipuri shots until you are ready to take them, because the liquid starts seeping out of the puri after a few minutes, and the whole thing starts getting soggy. This isn’t just because these are shots – that is normal with traditional panipuri too! Pour and eat.
I actually loved these and think they might be the best “food turned into a shot” that I have done so far.
Twists and tips for panipuri shots
A reminder to check Dassana’s recipe for the pani, and she also has one for puri if you want to try making them from scratch! I grabbed mine at Costco actually, but you can get them at most Indian grocery stores.
So far I have made shots out of deviled eggs, potatoes, dumplings, and olives. What should I do next?
Panipuri Shots
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 10 mint leaves
- 1/4 cup loose packed parsley leaves
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- juice of 2 limes
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon chaat masala
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 cup ice water
- pinch of salt
- 1 cup gin
- 12 store bought puri "shells"
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients except for the puri into a high powered blender. Blend until very smooth.
- One by one crack the puri on the top by looking at it to decide which side is thinner and then firmly pressing it with your thumb to make the hole.
- When you are ready to take the shots, give everyone a puri and pour in the pani shot mixture. Take immedietly!