Rooh Afza/Rose Lemonade

May 25, 2011

Is there any better way to quench your thirst then with a chilled refreshing glass of lemonade? That too not with any regular lemonade but with Rooh Afza Lemonade! (Ya! Ya! I know you might say Beer/Wine but here I am talking about a Family Drink which has to be Lemonade :)).

Photo: learnsomethingnewtoday.us

Some of you might not be familiar with Rooh Afza. So what is this Rooh Afza? It is a thick red (or dark pink) colored natural sweetened syrup which is used to make flavored Beverages in India. It is a blend of pure crystallized sugar, extracts of citrus flowers, juices of fruits, vegetables and cooling herbal ingredients. Mainly Rose. There are no preservatives added to this syrup (If it is pure) and it is very very popular in India. But what’s behind the name? It is said that Rooh Afza means “which nurtures your soul”. Where “rooh” means “soul” and “afza” means “which nurtures”. Makes sense!! 🙂

You will fall in love with its bright color, energizing flavor and its incomparable aroma. Rooh Afza is not just a refreshing drink with an outstanding taste but it also has therapeutic & nutritional benefits. Rooh Afza helps to maintain the water balance in the human body and guards from dehydration.

(Sources: http://www.nizamibiomedical.com, http://www.learnsomethingnewtoday.us and WP).

Saveur, an annual food magazine of USA which lists the top 100 food and drink delights from around the world, has listed Rooh Afza 10th overall, and the 1st in the drink category so that makes it the 10th best drink on the earth (Ref: The Saveur, USA, Number 99, Feb 2007).

Rooh Afza can be taken in various ways as desired. Add it in milkshake, topping on your ice-cream, Rose lassi, in chilled water, soda or lemonade; etc…Possibilities are endless. I remember having it on my Barf-gola (ice-scone) back home in India in every summer. I also love chilled Rooh Afza milk a lot.

Here is an easy to prepare recipe for a delicious family drink. Make it for your Memorial Day Back yard BBQ party or for any summer picnics. It will surely please a crowd.

Rooh Afza Lemonade:

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Yields: 5 cups

Ingredients:

4 cups chilled spring water (or add more or less to taste)
4 Tbsp Granulated sugar
4 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 tsp Roasted cumin powder
2/3 tsp salt (Or to taste)
4 Tbsp Rooh Afza Syrup (Rose Syrup) (You can buy this in any Indian grocery store or on Amazon)

Garnish:

Few fresh lemon slices and Ice for serving

Method:

In a large pitcher, combine lemon juice, sugar, salt, cumin powder, rose syrup and water. Stir well and taste. Add more syrup if you prefer a sweeter lemonade.

Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. When it is chilled serve over with some ice and a slice of lemon! You can even put some lemon slices to the pitcher but do not let it sit for too long since the flavor can turn somewhat bitter if they are left too long in the pitcher. I put it just before I serve it.