Qamar al-Din Apricot Drink
Qamar al-Din sheets soften in water with sugar and a squeeze of lemon, then a touch of orange blossom. Silky and thick, it serves 6 and takes 20 minutes to prep.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
What you’ll need — tap to tick off as you go
- 400 g
- 1 ½ l
- 60 g
- 1 tbsp
- 1 tbsp
- 2 cups
Process
Timers built in · swap anything · ask as you cook
Cut the qamar al-din apricot sheets into small pieces and place them in a large bowl. Pour 1 litre of the water over them and let soak at room temperature for at least 4 hours or overnight until completely softened.
Transfer the soaked apricots and their soaking liquid to a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth, about 1 to 2 minutes. If needed, work in batches.
Pour the blended mixture into a medium saucepan. Add the sugar and the remaining 500 ml water. Stir well.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly. Do not boil hard.
Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice and orange blossom water, if using. Taste and adjust sweetness with a little more sugar if desired.
Let the drink cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until well chilled, at least 2 hours.
To serve, fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled qamar al-din drink over. Stir gently and serve immediately.
Kitchen notes
Kitchen notes
- The most common mistake is not soaking the apricot sheets long enough; they must be fully softened or the drink will be gritty. Soak overnight in the fridge for the smoothest texture.
- Do not boil the mixture vigorously after blending, as it can become too thick and gluey. A gentle simmer is enough to dissolve the sugar.
- If the drink is too thick for your liking, thin it with cold water or sparkling water when serving. It should have the consistency of a light nectar.
- For a smoother drink, strain the blended mixture through a fine-mesh sieve before simmering, though traditional versions are often left unstrained.
Substitutions
- qamar al-din apricot sheets→dried apricots (soak 300 g in 1 litre water overnight, then blend)
- orange blossom water→rose water or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- sugar→honey or date syrup, added to taste after blending
Storage & reheating
Store the qamar al-din drink in a sealed pitcher or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It will separate naturally; stir or shake well before serving. For longer storage, freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and stir before serving. Do not reheat; serve cold.
FAQ
The questions we get asked most
Why is my qamar al-din drink gritty?
The apricot sheets were not soaked long enough or the mixture was not blended sufficiently. Soak the sheets for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, until they are completely soft. Blend on high for a full 1 to 2 minutes, and strain if you want a smoother texture.
Can I use dried apricots instead of qamar al-din sheets?
Yes. Use 300 g of dried apricots and soak them in 1 litre of water overnight. They are usually less sweet than qamar al-din, so you may need to add more sugar. Blend and proceed with the recipe as written.
How do I know when the qamar al-din drink is ready?
The drink is ready after the sugar has fully dissolved and the mixture coats the back of a spoon lightly. It should taste sweet and fruity, with no raw sugar granules. If it tastes too thick, thin with a little water.
Can I make qamar al-din drink ahead of time?
Yes. It actually improves after a few hours as the flavors meld. Make it up to 3 days in advance and keep it refrigerated in a sealed container. Stir well before serving, as it tends to separate.
How long does qamar al-din drink last in the fridge?
It keeps for up to 5 days in a sealed pitcher or bottle in the refrigerator. After that, it may start to ferment. If you see bubbles or smell alcohol, discard it.
Can I freeze qamar al-din drink?
Yes. Freeze it in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and stir well before serving. The texture may be slightly thinner after freezing, but the flavor remains good.
Is qamar al-din drink supposed to be thick or thin?
Traditionally it is thick and velvety, similar to a nectar or thin smoothie. However, you can adjust the consistency by adding more water or sparkling water when serving. Some people prefer it thinner over lots of ice.
Ask KitchenMind about this recipe
Tell it what’s different tonight — it works within the actual recipe.
