Carmel resident Maxine Henderson spent her childhood summers with her large extended family in southern India, where her parents grew up. Her memories are filled with the tantalizing sights, sounds and tastes of those summers in India.
“One of the drinks I fell in love with was Nimbu Pani,” Henderson says. “It’s a beverage known for centuries made from lemon or lime, water, sugar and Indian spices. It was very hot there, and it was so refreshing.”
Having loved it as a child herself, Henderson made it for her own four children. In 2017, her husband, former IU and NBA player Alan Henderson, nudged her to share it with everyone. Eventually, Bollygood was born, a certified woman- and minority-owned company offering the first Indian-inspired canned beverage in the United States.
In 2021, Henderson started selling two flavors online: Lemon Ginger Mint and Lime Basil Cumin.
“It’s based on the recipe my grandmother and aunties passed down to me,” she says.
However, Henderson has added a modern twist to the traditional drink. For instance, Bollygood is a sparkling beverage, which is something you won’t find in Nimbu Pani in India.
While traditional Nimbu Pani contains 40 or more grams of sugar, Bollygood has only 50 calories per serving with seven grams of sugar. Henderson calls that the “better for you” of her creation.
She spent approximately nine months focusing on lowering the sugar and salt content and having all of her clean ingredients vetted to become certified through the Non-GMO Project. Henderson relaunched Bollygood last fall with a new taste, new packaging and two new flavors: Lemon Mango Turmeric and Lemon Pomegranate Cardamom.
It’s really hard for Henderson to pick her favorite flavor. While the original two flavors bring back nostalgic memories, her late father helped her formulate the Lemon Pomegranate Cardamom, so that flavor is really special to her.
“My foodies like the Lemon Basil Cumin because it’s so different,” Henderson says. “But the Lemon Pomegranate Cardamom is just so beautiful. The taste really comes together with floral notes that you can smell as well.”
In addition to being available at bollygood.com and on Amazon, the beverage is available at more than 210 stores across the U.S., like Giants and Fresh Markets, including the one on Rangeline in Carmel. It’s even sold at a quick-serve Indian restaurant, EET, at Disney Springs in Florida.
Bollygood is currently in the process of seeking funding to help fuel a retail expansion and make strategic hires.
Loren’s AF, on Main Street in Carmel and in the Village of WestClay, carries Bollygood individually and in packs. Owners Andee Simpson and Kristin Patrick recommend mixing Bollygood with zero-proof Cut Above, which is based on a clean, neutral London dry gin.
“It’s great at enhancing the flavor profile that’s already there in Bollygood,” Simpson says.
Try the recipe below to create an amazing mocktail.
Bollygood Evening
6 oz., ½ can, Bollygood, any flavor
2 oz., Cut Above Zero Proof Gin
Pour Bollygood over ice.
Add Cut Above Zero Proof Gin.
Garnish with fresh mint or a dried orange.
Stir and enjoy.
"It's a beverage known for centuries made from lemon or lime, water, sugar and Indian spices," Henderson says. "It’s based on the recipe my grandmother and aunties passed down to me.”