This Sweet, Cold Apricot Drink for Ramadan Is the Perfect Way to Refresh After Fasting

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 0 mins

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 1 Servings

Qamar Al-Din is an apricot drink popular throughout the Middle East and North Africa, especially in Egypt and Syria. It’s usually prepared during the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims worldwide fast from sunrise to sunset. The drink is typically served with Iftar, the meal that breaks the fast at the end of the day.

Ingredients

1 (approximately 14-ounce) package Qamar Al-Din (dried apricot paste)
6 cups warm water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
6 cups cold water
Ice
12 fresh mint sprigs

Instructions

Cut dried apricot paste into 2-inch squares. Transfer to a blender and add 6 cups warm water. Cover and let soak until softened, about 4 hours.
Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar and blend until smooth.
Fit a fine-mesh strainer over a 3 1/2-quart or larger pitcher, or over a large bowl (if you don’t have a pitcher that large). Pour the apricot mixture through the strainer and press on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard the contents of the strainer. Add 6 cups cold water to the strained mixture and stir to combine.
Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish each glass with a sprig of fresh mint.