Qamar al-Din

Name: Qamar al-Din
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Levantine
Ingredients: 300 grams apricot leather (qamar al-din); 5 cups warm water; 1/4 cup sugar; 1 tablespoon rose water; 1/4 cup Pine nuts or almonds

Apricot leather soaked and dissolved with rose water — a cold orange drink topped with soaked pine nuts.

Vegan

Cooking time: 30 min
Hands-on time: 10 min
Free time: 20 min
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: Levantine
Calories: 180
Contains: Nuts

The apricot drink that comes with the Ramadan table. Its only secret is patience: the sheets are soaked until soft, then mashed until fully dissolved, because undissolved pieces sink and leave the drink thin.

Before you start

Before you beginRead the steps completely, measure the ingredients, and prepare the tools before turning on the heat or oven.
Timing the servingPrepare what you can in advance and leave the final touches until serving time to maintain the texture.

Ingredients

4people

Amounts follow the number of people

For the drink

300 grams apricot leather (qamar al-din) — Cut into small pieces
5 cups warm water
1/4 cup sugar — to taste
1 tablespoon rose water
1/4 cup Pine nuts or almonds — Soaked, for the top

The quantity can be doubled, adjusting the sweetness after tasting, and adding ice to each cup when serving.

Equipment

Wide soaking bowl — The apricot sheet dissolves into its own soaking water — do not pour it away.
Strainer — Optional — for anyone who wants it completely smooth.

Method

Cut the dried apricot paste into small pieces and soak it in warm water.
20 minYou can walk away
You’ll know it’s ready when
The pieces have softened and begun to dissolve in the water.
Mash it with your hands or whisk it until it is completely dissolved in the soaking water.
5 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
The mixture is a uniform orange color without any lumps.
Tip: Undissolved pieces settle and leave the drink thin.
Add the sugar and rose water, taste, and strain it if you like it smooth.
3 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
The texture is slightly thick and the color is orange.
Cool it down and serve it with soaked pine nuts on top.
2 min
You’ll know it’s ready when
It's cold and the nuts are floating.