Make it at home
How to make Masala Soda at home.
Masala Soda takes 5 minutes and serves 2. This guide gives the ingredients in cups and spoons, the steps in order and the mistakes that most often go wrong.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 2 min read
Time
5 minutes
Serves
2
Skill
Easy
Method
Stir and pour
What you need
Quantities serve 2. Chill the soda water in advance.
- 2 cups chilled soda water
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 2 tbsp sugar or sugar syrup
- 1/2 tsp black salt (kala namak)
- 1/2 tsp roasted cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp chaat masala
- 8 to 10 mint leaves
- Ice cubes
Step by step
Add the soda last, so it keeps its fizz.
Make the base
In a jug, stir together the lemon juice, sugar, black salt, cumin powder and chaat masala until the sugar dissolves.
Crush the mint
Lightly crush the mint leaves between your fingers and add them to the glasses.
Add ice
Fill two glasses with ice, then divide the lemon mixture between them.
Top with soda
Pour chilled soda water over the top and stir very gently once.
Serve
Sprinkle a pinch of chaat masala on top and serve immediately.
01
Tips for a better result
Chill, balance and timing.
- Use very cold soda water and plenty of ice for the best fizz.
- Dissolve the sugar in the lemon juice first, so it does not sit at the bottom.
- Taste before serving and adjust the salt and lemon.
02
Mistakes to avoid
Common mistakes:
- Stirring hard after adding soda, which flattens the bubbles.
- Too much black salt, which overwhelms the drink.
- Using bottled lemon juice, which tastes flat.
03
Shopping for it in Canada
One ingredient needs a special trip.
- Black salt: from Indian grocers. Regular salt plus a pinch of chaat masala is a rough stand-in.
- Soda water: plain club soda or sparkling water.
- Roasted cumin powder: toast cumin seeds in a dry pan and grind them.
- Lemons: fresh, from any supermarket.
04
Or let us make it
It is quick to make, but the balance of the spices is tricky and many people prefer to have it made for them. Masala Soda is $5.99 CAD on our menu, at 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Barrhaven, Ottawa, Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm, closed Mondays.
Questions, answered.
How long does Masala Soda take to make?
About 5 minutes from start to finish for 2.
Can I make Masala Soda ahead of time?
Mix the base ahead and chill it. Add the soda and ice at the last minute.
Can I use sparkling water with flavour?
Use plain sparkling water or club soda. Flavoured ones will clash with the spices.
What do I serve with Masala Soda?
Pani puri, samosas, vada pav or any fried and spicy food.
Where can I order Masala Soda in Ottawa?
Tapri Chai in Barrhaven serves it. Masala Soda is $5.99 CAD on our menu. Tapri Chai is also listed on DoorDash and SkipTheDishes for delivery in Barrhaven and nearby parts of south Ottawa, so check which app serves your address.
At Tapri Chai
Taste it for yourself.
Our kitchen in Barrhaven is 100% vegetarian. 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Ottawa. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Closed Mondays.