Refreshing Ramadan drinks

When the month of Ramadan falls during summer, hydrating the body after a long day of fasting becomes imperative. Refreshing drinks, during and after the iftar, help the body to re-hydrate after losing a lot of liquids.

The following are four of the most popular drinks consumed during this time of year:

Jallab

It is not a typical iftar if Jallab is not on the table! Jallab is the most popular drink in Ramadan. It is a refreshing juice prepared by mixing grape molasses, dates, rose water and sugar and then smoked with Arabic incense. Jallab is usually served with ice and lots of nuts and raisins.

Amar Al din

Another popular drink in Ramadan is Amar Al Din: an orange, thick and sweet drink. This nutritious drink is made from dry apricot sheets. To prepare this drink, the apricot sheets are soaked in warm water for several hours then mixed with sugar and rose water. It is usually decorated with pine nuts and served cold.

Liquorice or Erk el-sous

Erk el-sous, a black slightly sweet and mildly bitter drink, is commonly served during the Holy month of Ramadan. This thirst quencher drink is made from licorice root; it can be found in shops and restaurants but is sold by street vendors.

Tamarind

Another traditional drink that is enjoyed during the month of Ramadan is the Tamarind or Tamer Hindi. It is a sour-sweet drink made of tamarin fruits paste mixed with sugar and water. For those who do not like sweet drinks, Tamarind could be the ideal Ramadan drink for them.