Jus de Tamarin (Guinean Tamarind Drink)
Local name: Jus de tamarin
In short: A sweet and sour chilled drink made by soaking tamarind pulp, straining it and adding sugar, lime and a little ginger. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 2 h 30 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 115 kcal
Tamarind juice is a cold, tart drink sold in bottles and plastic bags at markets and street corners in Guinea, and made at home for guests on hot days. Pulp is soaked in warm water until soft, squeezed through a sieve, then sweetened and chilled. The flavor is sharp like lemonade with a deep, fruity edge. Serve it very cold over ice.
Instructions
- Break the tamarind block into small pieces and put them in a bowl. Pour over the hot water and leave for 30 minutes.
- Mash the softened pulp with your hands or a spoon until the seeds and fibers come free from the flesh.
- Set a fine sieve over a large jug and pour the mixture through it. Press and scrape the pulp with a spoon to get every bit of thick liquid out, then discard the seeds and fibers.
- Stir the sugar into the tamarind liquid until it dissolves. Add the lime juice, ginger and cold water.
- Taste and add more sugar or lime until it tastes pleasantly sweet and sour. Chill for at least 2 hours.
- Stir again before serving over ice.
Tips
- Tamarind pulp varies a lot in sourness. Start with 150 g, taste after step 3 and add more pulp or water to suit.
- Use a seedless tamarind paste if you cannot find a block. Stir 4 tablespoons into the hot water and skip the mashing and straining.
Questions and answers
How long does homemade tamarind juice keep?
It keeps for 4 days in a covered jar in the fridge. Shake or stir it before pouring because the pulp settles.
Can I make it less sweet?
Yes. Cut the sugar to 50 g (1/4 cup) and add more later. Fully tart tamarind drink is common and very refreshing with ice.
Is tamarind drink good for Ramadan?
It is a popular choice for breaking the fast in many countries because it is cool and sharp. Serve it chilled with dates.
How long does it take to make Jus de Tamarin (Guinean Tamarind Drink)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Jus de Tamarin (Guinean Tamarind Drink)?
About 115 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 29 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 115 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 29 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 27 g |
| Sodium | 8 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
