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Vietnamese Fruit Drink 2

Serves 4 to 6 Beverage vegan, Beverages

Vietnamese Fruit Drink 2

Vietnamese Fruit Drink 2 is a staple at home tables across Vietnam, served especially in the sweltering months when the heat demands refreshment. This version channels a familial warmth, capturing the essence of home cooking with its unpretentious simplicity. It's a recipe passed down through generations, where the salt is instinctively measured by hand and the generous use of fruit ensures a vibrant, thirst-quenching concoction.

Expect a burst of citrusy brightness tempered by the sweetness of sugar, all balanced by just the right hint of salt. The drink should feel like a cool breeze on a hot day, with the ice adding a refreshing chill. This is a drink meant to be shared, inviting everyone to gather around and savor its simple, yet profound, flavors.

Ingredients

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

Method

  1. Start by preparing the citrus fruits. Roll 4 lemons or oranges on the countertop with your palm to release their juices. Cut each fruit in half and use a citrus juicer to extract the juice into a bowl, ensuring no seeds are included. You should have about 250 ml of juice.
  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 solution should be clear without any sugar granules visible, indicating that the sugar has fully integrated.
  3. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, which will prevent the citrus juice from becoming bitter when combined.
  4. After the sugar water has cooled, slowly pour in the citrus juice while stirring gently with a wooden spoon. This gentle mixing helps preserve the fresh aroma of the citrus.
  5. Transfer the mixture into a large pitcher and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour. This chilling step is crucial for melding the flavors and ensuring a refreshing drink.
  6. When ready to serve, fill traditional Vietnamese 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 balanced flavors.
Cover of Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine

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

Available soon on Amazon…

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