Persian Fruit Drink

Ingredients

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

Method

1. Begin by preparing the citrus fruits. If using lemons, roll each lemon on the countertop under your palm to loosen the juice. If using oranges, do the same. Slice the fruits in half and use a juicer to extract the juice, aiming for about 200 ml of juice. Strain the juice through a fine mesh sieve to remove any seeds or pulp, ensuring a smooth drink.
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. You will know it is ready when the liquid becomes clear and no sugar granules are visible at the bottom of the pan.
3. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat. Allow the sugar water to cool slightly before adding the citrus juice. This step ensures that the fresh aroma of the citrus is preserved and not cooked away by excessive heat.
4. Pour the strained citrus juice into the cooled sugar water. Stir gently to combine, taking care not to agitate the mixture too much, as this can cause the delicate citrus aroma to dissipate.
5. Transfer the mixture to a pitcher and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour. Chilling allows the flavors to meld together, creating a harmonious balance between the sweet and tart elements.
6. When ready to serve, fill traditional Persian glassware with ice cubes. Pour the chilled fruit drink over the ice, filling each glass to the brim. Serve immediately to enjoy the refreshing and aromatic qualities of this Persian Fruit Drink.