How to Make Iced Pickled Chinese Plum Drink

Hello moms!

Today, I’m going to share with you a recipe for a delicious and refreshing iced pickled Chinese plum drink. It’s perfect for a hot summer day, and it’s so easy to make!

Table of Contents

What is pickled Chinese plum drink?

Pickled Chinese plum drink, also known as suan mei tang (酸梅汤), is a popular traditional Chinese drink. It is made with dried smoked plums (wumei), brown sugar, and other herbs and spices. The drink is known for its sour, sweet, and refreshing taste.

Ingredients:

18 grams dried smoked plums (wumei)
46 grams dried Chinese hawthorn (shanzha)
6 grams dried Chinese liquorice (gancao)
1 liter (4 cups) – 1.25 liter (5 cups) cold water
90 – 125 grams Chinese brown sugar in pieces (bing pian tang) (You can substitute with granulated sugar, but there will be some differences in the aftertaste)

Instructions:

Rinse all of the dried ingredients under running water to get rid of any dirt or debris.
In a large pot, combine the water and the dried ingredients (if you like, you can wrap all the dried ingredients in a cheesecloth to avoid the straining step later), and soak for 1 hour.
Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30-45 minutes, or until the flavors have infused into the water.
Strain the liquid into a large bowl, discarding the solids.
Add the Chinese brown sugar to the liquid and stir until dissolved.
Let the drink cool completely, then serve chilled with ice.

Tips:

For a sweeter drink, add more sugar. For a more tart drink, add less sugar.
You can also add other ingredients to your pickled Chinese plum drink, such as fresh mint leaves, lemon or lime juice, or honey.
For a fun twist, garnish your drink with fresh fruit slices or herbs.

Health benefits:

Pickled Chinese plum drink is a refreshing and healthy beverage that is low in calories and fat. It is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants.

The sour taste of the drink is due to the presence of citric acid, which is known for its digestive health benefits. The herbs and spices used in the drink also have a variety of health benefits, such as reducing inflammation, boosting the immune system, and improving cardiovascular health.

Sound gross, right? But I guarantee it’s super refreshing if you tried it. You can find some pickled Chinese plum in the jar available in Asian store.