Qamar al-Din (Apricot Drink)
Syria's golden Ramadan drink: sheets of dried apricot paste soaked and blended into a thick, sweet-tart nectar.
← Nouns Cooking · Lebanese & Turkish
Ingredients
- 200 g Qamar al-din (apricot paste sheets), torn into small pieces
- 500 ml hot water
- 500 ml cold water
- 2 tbsp Sugar (optional)
- 1 tsp Orange blossom water (optional)
- ice cubes (optional)
Method
- Put the apricot paste pieces in a bowl, pour over the hot water and leave to soak for 2 hours (or overnight in the fridge), until completely soft.
- Blend the soaked paste and its water until smooth, then blend in the cold water.
- Taste and add sugar and orange blossom water if you like; it should be thick and nectar-like. Strain through a sieve for a silkier drink.
- Chill well and serve over ice, ideally to break the fast at sunset.
Tips
- Look for qamar al-din sheets in Middle Eastern shops, especially around Ramadan.
- Leftover drink sets into a pudding if you heat it with a spoonful of cornflour.
Sources
Written in our own words after cross-checking these recipes:
Open Qamar al-Din (Apricot Drink) in Nouns Cooking