What Is Nannari?
Nannari is the Indian sarsaparilla — the root of Hemidesmus indicus, and the flavour behind a drink that has been part of everyday Indian life for generations. This guide covers what nannari is, where it comes from, how it tastes, and how it turns up in drinks such as nannari sarbath, nannari soda and nannari syrup.
What Is Nannari?
Nannari is the Indian sarsaparilla. The plant is known botanically as Hemidesmus indicus, a climbing shrub native to South Asia, and it is the root of the plant that is used. When people talk about a nannari drink, they are talking about a preparation built on that root.
The name is used loosely and consistently at the same time. In some contexts “nannari” means the root or the extract; in others it means the finished drink. Both usages point to the same source, which is why a nannari sarbath and a nannari soda taste like recognisable relatives of each other.
The Nannari Root
The nannari root is what gives the drink its character. It is earthy and slightly woody, with a gentle sweetness that sits underneath rather than on top. That profile is why a nannari drink rarely needs to be very sweet to taste finished.
Traditionally, the root was prepared at home — washed, cut or pounded, then steeped in water — and the resulting liquid was sweetened and served cold. That process is the reference point behind every nannari format that followed, including the packaged ones.
This page describes how nannari is used as a beverage ingredient. Questions about the plant itself, its taxonomy, or its use outside of beverages are better answered by a botanical reference than by a beverage brand.
What Does Nannari Taste Like?
Nannari is earthy and woody, with a gentle sweetness that sits underneath rather than on top. The first thing you will notice is that it does not taste like fruit — it tastes like a root, which is what makes it distinct from almost every other soft drink.
Served chilled and diluted, the drink reads as light and clean rather than heavy or medicinal. Served stronger, warmer or heavily sweetened, the root character becomes much more pronounced, which is why nannari has traditionally been served cold and in a tall glass.
If you enjoy sarsaparilla, you will recognise the family immediately. If you usually reach for something sweet and fruity, nannari is closer to a herbal refresher than to a soft drink — which is worth knowing before you buy a bottle.
Earthy and Botanical
The nannari root gives a herbal, plant-forward note that no fruit flavour reproduces.
Gently Sweet
The sweetness is present but understated, so the drink rarely needs to be heavily sugared.
Best Served Cold
Chilling softens the root character and is how nannari has always been enjoyed.
Nannari in Traditional Indian Drinks
Nannari reached wide popularity in the region around South India, where a glass of chilled nannari became a routine feature of hot afternoons. For a long time it was prepared at home — the root steeped in water, sweetened, and poured over ice — and it was also sold fresh by vendors who had their own method for it.
That everyday, made-fresh quality is what people mean when they describe nannari as traditional. It was never a novelty drink. It was an ordinary, well-known thing, and it was associated with hospitality and with hot weather rather than with any particular occasion.
The formats that followed — including the packaged nannari soda made by Shiva Ganesh Nannari — are all attempts to reach that familiar flavour in a form that suits modern life, without pretending to be the handmade original.
Nannari Drinks
Nannari is enjoyed in three main formats: nannari sarbath, nannari soda and nannari syrup. All three begin with the same nannari flavour, and they differ in carbonation, concentration and how much you do before drinking. If you are still deciding, the nannari drinks guide sets out the differences in more detail.
| Nannari Sarbath | Still, chilled, served over ice. Prepared at home or bought fresh. |
|---|---|
| Nannari Soda | Carbonated and packaged. Nothing to mix; open and serve cold. |
| Nannari Syrup | Concentrated and diluted at home. Strength and sweetness are yours to set. |
Nannari FAQs
Which part of the plant is used to make nannari?
Is nannari the same as sarsaparilla?
What drinks can be made from nannari?
Where can I buy Shiva Ganesh Nannari products?
Enquire About Shiva Ganesh Nannari
Shiva Ganesh Nannari Soda and Nannari Syrup are supplied from YSR Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Retail, wholesale, distributor and bulk enquiries are welcome.