West African Fruit Drink 2

Ingredients

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

Method

1. Begin by preparing the citrus base. Roll 4 lemons or oranges firmly on the countertop to loosen the juices inside. Slice each fruit in half and use a citrus juicer to extract the juice, ensuring you capture any pulp but discard the seeds. This will form the aromatic foundation of your drink.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the freshly squeezed citrus juice with 100 g of sugar. Stir gently with a wooden spoon to dissolve the sugar, taking care not to lose the fragrant citrus aroma. The mixture should become slightly syrupy and the sugar should be fully dissolved, creating a smooth consistency.
3. Add 1 L of water to the saucepan with the citrus-sugar mixture. Stir to combine, then place the saucepan over medium heat. Allow the mixture to heat gently until it begins to steam, but do not let it boil. This gentle heating helps meld the flavors without losing the fresh citrus notes.
4. Once the mixture is steaming and well combined, remove the saucepan from the heat. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a large pitcher. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to chill thoroughly, which will enhance the refreshing quality of the drink.
5. Before serving, prepare your ice. Fill a large serving glass with ice cubes to ensure the drink is served cold, which is traditional and enhances the refreshing nature of the beverage.
6. Pour the chilled fruit drink over the ice in the glass, filling it to the brim. The drink should be a light, translucent golden color with a fragrant citrus aroma. Serve immediately, using traditional glassware if available, to honor the West African tradition of sharing and enjoying this refreshing drink together.