Licorice Drink
This is a Syrian licorice drink recipe: dried licorice root is mixed with sodium carbonate and gradually moistened until combined, then dried in the sun or in an oven at 70 degrees. It is then placed in cheesecloth or a cloth bundle and extracted with water until the color becomes lighter and the drink is ready to serve cold.
A traditional sweet drink made from licorice root.
Like a herbal sweet beverage.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 glasses Dried licorice root
- 1/2 teaspoon Sodium carbonate
- 4 liters Water
- 1, depending on what is available Cheesecloth or a cloth bundle
Instructions
- Spread the dried licorice root evenly on a tray.
- Distribute the sodium carbonate evenly over the licorice root.
- Moisten the mixture with a water sprayer or by hand, then leave it for five minutes.
- Stir the mixture, then moisten it a second time. Repeat the moistening three or four times, until the dustiness disappears and no lumps remain.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and rub it lightly until it becomes completely smooth.
- Spread the mixture on a tray again, then place the tray in the sun for about two hours, stirring it from time to time.
- If sunlight is not available, preheat the oven to 70 degrees for ten minutes, then turn it off. Place the tray in the oven and stir the mixture every three minutes until dry.
- Put the dried mixture into a cheesecloth bag or a cloth bundle, depending on what is available.
- Place a dish beneath the cheesecloth or cloth bundle, then gently pour the water over the mixture in a thin stream at first.
- Continue pouring water over the cheesecloth or cloth bundle until the color becomes lighter, and do not move the cheesecloth or cloth bundle from its place.
- Repeat pouring water over the cheesecloth or cloth bundle four to five times, until the licorice drink is ready and has an appropriate color.
- Serve the licorice drink cold.