There’s something special about a tall glass of Kayısı Hoşafı. It’s more than just a drink. It’s a ritual. Especially during Ramadan, when the iftar table groans under the weight of heavy food, this apricot water becomes the sultan of the table. Helps digestion. It makes your body cold. Unlike bottled drinks, preparing it at home guarantees zero additives. Just fruit, sugar and spices.
Here’s how to do it right: There are no shortcuts.
Real ingredients are needed
You don’t need a pantry full of exotic spices. The advantage of this recipe is its simplicity. Think of the balance between the tartness of the apricots and the sweetness of the syrup.
- 1 bowl of dried apricots: Choose plump and dark ones. It keeps its shape better during the boiling process.
- 1 liter of water: Tap water is enough. It is better to filter it.
- 1.5 cups sugar: Adjust according to sweetness tolerance. The acidity of dried apricots varies.
- 2 cloves: Only a few left. It can overpower delicate fruit flavors.
- One cinnamon stick: This is the whole cinnamon stick, not the powder. The powder makes the syrup cloudy.
- 1 tsp lemon juice: This is your secret weapon. Brightens the taste and prevents the apricots from discolouring.
Prepare step by step
First, wash the dried apricots. Warm water is best here. Let it soften a bit before adding to the pot. Cut them into cubes. Don’t skip this. Whole apricots take longer to soak and can be difficult to eat later.
While you prepare the fruit, bring a large pot of water to a boil. When the water boils, add the apricots. Cook it.
Now add the sugar. Next came the cinnamon sticks. Although the original article mentions ginger, the standard recipe uses cloves and cinnamon to create a warm, spicy flavor. If you like a kick, add a small slice of fresh ginger. If not, use the spices listed above.
Simmer for about 10-15 minutes. This way the apricots absorb the syrup rather than dissolve into the paste. It should remain slightly firm.
Take the pot off the heat. This is an important step. Do not leave it on high heat after adding the lemon juice. Then add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and mix. The acidity stabilizes the color and gives the brightness needed to cut the sugar.
Cool completely. Don’t rush. If you pour hot liquid into a glass, the glass may crack or cool unevenly. If you want to enjoy it luxuriously, serve it chilled.
Why this is good for your body
You may be wondering why this combination is highly recommended during fasting. This is not just a tradition.
- Rehydration: The high water content of apricots helps replenish the fluid lost during the day.
- Digestive: Dried apricot tannins combined with warming spices like cinnamon and cloves
