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Sharbat-e beh limoo
Quince and lime syrup drink
Sharbat-e beh limoo (شربت به لیمو): quince and lime syrup for a cooling drink
Quince and lime syrup is an old-fashioned Persian cooler, the drink grandmothers in Isfahan and Tehran bring out on hot afternoons, said to settle the stomach and cool the body. Grated quince simmered in syrup turns from cream to a soft rosy amber and gives a floral, almost honeyed scent; fresh lime juice cuts through the sweetness. Diluted with iced water, it is lovely after a heavy meal of rice and stew. Chef's tip: cook the grated quince gently for the full time; the colour only turns pink after long, slow simmering.
- Total time
- 55 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 14
Ingredients
For the syrup
- 2 quincesabout 600 g, peeled, cored and coarsely grated
- 1 ⅛ lb sugar
- 2 ½ cups water
- ½ cup fresh lime juicefrom about 5 limes
To serve, per glass
- 4 ice cubes
- ¾ cup cold water
- 1 lime slice (optional)optional
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What you'll need
Fresh ingredients (2)
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Put the 2 ½ cups water and 1 ⅛ lb sugar in a pan and stir over a medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
5 minStep 2: Add the 2 quinces, bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 30–35 minutes, until the fruit is very soft and the syrup has turned pinkish-amber. Grate the quince just before it goes in, or it browns.
35 minStep 3: Stir in the ½ cup fresh lime juice and simmer 5 minutes more, until the syrup lightly coats a spoon. Common mistake: adding the lime at the start; long boiling dulls its fresh sharpness.
5 minStep 4: Strain through a fine sieve, pressing gently on the quince. Bottle while hot in clean bottles, seal and cool. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 months.
5 minStep 5: For each glass, stir 3 tbsp of syrup into the ¾ cup cold water over the 4 ice cubes and finish with a 1 lime slice.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 140 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 36 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does sharbat-e beh limoo take?
- About 55 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 14 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of fresh lime juice?
- Lemon juice, same amount.
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