Iranian Summer Drinks

It's summertime in New York, and most days are hot and humid. One of the best ways to cool off and make the heat more bearable is with refreshing summer beverages. These drinks are often prepared in large batches and enjoyed year-round, but there's something special about sipping them on a hot day in good company.

After months of quarantine and isolation, sharing these cool traditional drinks with loved ones feels especially meaningful. Enjoy them outdoors on a picnic, lounging by the pool, sitting on the terrace, relaxing under a shady tree in your yard, or even gathered around the kitchen table. 

Below are a few of the most popular Iranian drinks and some of my personal favorites. I have written about these in the past, and I'll be sharing links to the recipes.

After taking a year-long hiatus, I'm excited to be back blogging again! I've updated some photos and made a few tweaks to the recipes.

Doogh - Yogurt Drink

A refreshing, savory drink made with a simple mix of yogurt, water, and a pinch of salt, served ice-cold with plenty of ice cubes.

Sharbat-e Sekanjabin

An ancient Persian sweet-and-sour syrup made with sugar or honey and vinegar, traditionally served chilled with cucumber and mint.

Sharbat-Limoo - Limeade or Lemonade

A refreshing Persian drink made with just lime or lemon, sugar, and water. 

Sharbat-e Khakshir

Rinse khakshir a few times with cool water. Add water and ice, then stir well, and enjoy. Add a little sugar or rosewater if you like for extra flavor. 

Sharbat-e Hendooneh (Watermelon Cooler)

Add cubed watermelon to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a serving glass, add ice, and finish with a splash of lime.

Enjoy!

Sharbat-e limoo - Lemon/Lime Sharbat

Sharbat-e limoo is a refreshing sweet and sour drink that is just perfect for hot summer days. This tangy yet sweet sharbat is one of the popular drinks served to guests in Iran. Persian sharbat are drinks made with fresh-squeezed fruit juice and sugar. A sharbat should be well-balanced and not too sweet or too sour. However, in our home, we like our شربت لیمو - sharbat-e limoo more on the tangy side.

The combination of lemon/lime juice and water has many health benefits and this refreshing lemonade/limeade is a perfect summer drink. You can adjust the amount of sugar to your liking.

Sharbat-e Limoo - Persian Limeade

Ingredients:

1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice or lemon juice  
1/2 cup sugar or honey 
3 cups water
1 cup ice
1 teaspoon lime/lemon zest *optional
2-3 drops of rosewater *optional

Method:

1. Place sugar and water in a small pan over medium-high heat. Bring to a gentle boil until the sugar dissolves completely. Set aside to cool.
2. Mix all ingredients, taste and adjust the level of sweetness to your liking, chill and serve.

Enjoy!