Sour Plum Drink(酸梅汤)

Sour Plum Drink has a deep historical heritage in China spanning thousands of years and is one of the oldest traditional beverages. The taste of Sour Plum Drink is pleasantly sweet and sour, combining the tartness of sour plums with the sweet aroma of osmanthus flowers. Known for its cooling properties, it is a must-have beverage during the summer months.

6 Reviews
7 Comments
POSTED:20/06/2024
Level:Easy
Yield:1-2 servings
Total:1 hr 0 min
(includes chilling time)
Active:5 min

Authentic Sour Plum Drink, brewed with real ingredients, boasts a natural ruby-red color derived from hibiscus flowers. Its taste is refreshing with a rich flavor profile, featuring a subtle smokiness from dried plums. Making it is straightforward and well worth a try.


1.What is Sour Plum Drink?

Sour Plum Drink is a traditional Chinese cooling beverage, primarily made from ingredients such as Dried plums, hawthorn, tangerine peel, osmanthus flowers, licorice, and rock sugar. This beverage is suitable for individuals who work hard in the summer heat, feel depleted, have poor appetite, or are emotionally unsettled. As a traditional drink, Sour Plum Drink is refreshing and has been cherished over time, making it one of the beloved beverages among modern people.


2.What are the characteristics of Sour Plum Drink?

1. Moisturizing and thirst-quenching: The acidic components in Sour Plum Drink stimulate the secretion of saliva and gastric juices, not only relieving thirst but also helping to prevent motion sickness during travel or acting as a hangover remedy after excessive alcohol consumption.

2. Liver-fire reduction: Sour Plum Drink can reduce liver-fire. Individuals with a tendency towards liver-fire can consume it moderately, as it not only calms the liver but also aids digestion and nourishes the liver.

3. Relieving sore throat: Sour plums are natural throat-soothing agents that gently moisturize and relieve discomfort in inflamed throat areas, easing symptoms of sore throat.

4. Promoting digestion: Sour Plum Drink is commonly used as a digestive aid beverage. It helps improve digestion and enhances gastrointestinal motility.


3.Is Sour Plum Drink suitable for everyone?

Not exactly. Sour Plum Drink contains dried hawthorn, which can stimulate uterine contractions in pregnant women, potentially leading to miscarriage. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid drinking it. For individuals with sensitive digestive systems, it's advisable not to consume Sour Plum Drink directly after refrigeration. It's better to let it sit at room temperature before drinking.


4.Where can you buy the ingredients?

You can try local Chinese herbal medicine stores. If they don't have them, you can check out Chinatown in your area.


5.What type of pot should you use for cooking?

When simmering Sour Plum Drink, it's recommended to use a heat-stable ceramic pot or a glass pot. These are ideal for making Sour Plum Drink as they help enhance the flavor and maintain its bright color.


Sour Plum Drink is a great way to beat the summer heat, refreshing and thirst-quenching while also relieving irritability and heatstroke. Drinking a glass daily not only stimulates the appetite and aids digestion but also helps alleviate greasiness and hangovers. Below, I'll share the recipe for Sour Plum Drink. Let's get started together!

INGREDIENTS

MAIN INGREDIENTS

  • 25g dried plums
  • 25g dried hawthorn
  • 10g tangerine peel
  • 3g hibiscus flowers
  • 1g licorice
  • 2 pieces dried mint leaves
  • 1g dried osmanthus flowers

SEASONINGS

  • 2g zero-calorie sugar
  • 1500g water

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Weigh all the ingredients.

Tip:

Hibiscus flowers are the main ingredient for adding red color. The more you add, the redder it will be, but be sure to control the proportion carefully and avoid using too much. Excessive licorice can make the drink bitter and astringent, so use it sparingly.

Tip for making hibiscus drink: Control ingredient proportions carefully for optimal color and taste.

STEP 2

Rinse all ingredients except osmanthus flowers and sugar.

Rinse all ingredients, excluding osmanthus flowers and sugar.

STEP 3

Soak the cleaned ingredients in 1500g of water for half an hour.

Tip:

Before simmering, soak for at least half an hour. For best results, overnight soaking is recommended as it allows the flavors of the ingredients to release in advance.

Soak cleaned ingredients in water for 30 minutes before simmering for enhanced flavor.

STEP 4

Place the ingredients into a pot, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for half an hour.

Tip:

If not concerned about sugar intake, you can add yellow rock sugar into the pot for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Once the rock sugar melts, you can turn off the heat. (Note: This recipe does not include rock sugar.)

Boil ingredients in pot, simmer for 30 min. Add rock sugar for sweetness (optional).

STEP 5

After the time is up, immediately strain the mixture to extract the juice.

Strain mixture to extract juice after time expires.

STEP 6

According to your taste, add an appropriate amount of zero-calorie sugar.

Adjust zero-calorie sugar to your taste for a healthier option.

STEP 7

Allow to cool and refrigerate. When serving, you can add some ice cubes and sprinkle with osmanthus flowers.

Tip:

When adding osmanthus flowers in the final step, make sure the soup has cooled down. Adding them while the soup is still hot can make it bitter.

Cool and refrigerate soup before serving. Add ice cubes and osmanthus flowers for flavor. Wait until soup has cooled before adding flowers to avoid bitterness.

Recipe analyzer

  • Recipes: Sour Plum Drink(酸梅汤)
  • Main Ingredients:7
  • Servings per recipe:1
  • Servings size:66 g
Nutritional Summary of Recipe
Amount per 65 g= 1 serving(s)
  • Energy (calories):93 kcal
    4%
  • Protein:0.4 g
    1%
  • Fat:0.14 g Why gray?
    0%
  • Carbohydrates:24.57 g
    10%
Calorie breakdown
  • Protein: 1%
    1 kcal
  • Fat: 1%
    1 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 97%
    90 kcal
The chart shows the percentage of calories intake (energy) coming from the respective macronutrients (fats, protein and carbohydrates).
Omega 6 : Omega 3
1:1
20:1
5:1
Both fatty acids are essential, but nowadays the majority of western diets include excessive amounts of Omega 6 acid.

The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.

6 REVIEWS

Review
Your rating:
TasteTemptationsFestOctober 04, 2024

It's great. It's really good.
GourmetGaloreSeptember 23, 2024

This recipe is really cool and works for me. Very simple!
SavoryShowSeptember 10, 2024

This traditional drink is loved and popular among people of all ages.
CulinaryCanvasFanAugust 30, 2024

Can I use fresh plums instead of dried plums?
reply:
September 01, 2024
Fresh plums can be used, but the taste will be different. Dried plums have a unique flavor essential for authenticity.
thomasJuly 22, 2024

It is a traditional drink that is loved and popular among people of all ages.
jiaojiaoJune 24, 2024

This recipe is really cool and works for me very simple
anniJune 24, 2024

It's great. It's really good.
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