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Chinese Fruit Drink 2

Serves 4 to 6 Beverage vegan, Beverages

Chinese Fruit Drink 2

Chinese Fruit Drink 2 brings the refreshing vibrance of citrus to the family table, often accompanying meals in the warmer months when the desire for a cooling drink is keenly felt. Traditionally, this drink is crafted in home kitchens across China, where the balance of sweet and tangy is achieved through the careful hand-judged addition of sugar and the generous use of citrus. This is not a recipe of exact measures but one of intuition, capturing the essence of casual, familial sharing.

The result is a bright, invigorating concoction that dances between the tartness of lemons or oranges and the subtle sweetness of sugar. Served chilled over ice, each sip offers a crisp, refreshing burst that contrasts beautifully with rich, savory dishes. This drink is not merely a beverage but a refreshing pause, a liquid interlude that cleanses the palate and invigorates the senses.

Ingredients

  • 4lemons or oranges
  • 100 gsugar
  • 1 Lwater
  • as neededice

Method

  1. Start by preparing the citrus fruits. If using lemons, cut them in half and juice them into a bowl, ensuring you remove any seeds. If using oranges, peel them and segment the flesh, then squeeze the juice from the segments into a bowl. You should aim to collect about 200 ml of juice in total.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine 100 g of sugar with 1 L of water. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir gently until the sugar completely dissolves. The liquid should become clear and slightly syrupy, indicating that the sugar is fully integrated.
  3. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to cool slightly. Add the freshly squeezed citrus juice to the sugar water, stirring gently to combine. This step ensures that the fresh aroma of the citrus is retained without being cooked away.
  4. Pour the mixture into a large pitcher and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This chilling process allows the flavors to meld together and ensures the drink is refreshingly cold when served.
  5. Before serving, prepare your glassware by adding ice as needed. This will keep the drink cold and enhance its refreshing quality. Pour the chilled fruit drink over the ice in each glass.
  6. Serve immediately, ensuring each glass is filled to the brim. This drink is traditionally enjoyed in a communal setting, so gather your family or friends to share in this refreshing beverage.
Cover of Authentic Chinese Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Chinese Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Chinese Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Chinese volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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