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Tamar hindi
Tamarind drink
Tamar hindi: sweet-sour Syrian tamarind cooler sold from brass jugs in Ramadan
During Ramadan in Damascus, street sellers in bright waistcoats pour tamar hindi from tall brass jugs on their backs, clinking cups to call buyers before iftar. The drink is a deep brown infusion of tamarind, sweetened and sharpened with lemon and a touch of rose or orange blossom, served ice cold to quench a day's thirst. It is fruity, tangy and refreshing, and made in a big batch to keep in the fridge. Common mistake: boiling the tamarind hard — gentle soaking gives a clean taste, while boiling makes it muddy. Chef's tip: strain twice, the second time through a cloth, for a clear, glossy drink.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
- 7 oz block tamarindwith seeds, broken up
- 2 cups hot water
- 5 cups cold water
- 6 ½ oz sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 10 ½ oz ice cubes (optional)
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Put 7 oz block tamarind in a bowl, pour over 2 cups hot water and leave to soak for at least 2 hours, or overnight in the fridge, until very soft.
120 minStep 2: Squeeze and mash the pulp with your hands to free it from the seeds and fibres, then push everything through a sieve, scraping the underside.
Step 3: Stir 6 ½ oz sugar into the tamarind liquid until dissolved, then add 5 cups cold water, 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tsp rose water or orange blossom water. Taste — it should be both sweet and sour.
Step 4: Strain again through a sieve lined with muslin. Chill for at least 1 hour and serve over 10 ½ oz ice cubes. Keeps 4 days in the fridge.
60 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 120 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 31 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does tamar hindi take?
- About 15 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 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 lemon juice?
- Lime juice, same amount.
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