🍹 Qamar al-Din (Apricot Drink)
Qamar al-Din is a thick, sweet drink made by soaking sheets of dried apricot paste in water, then blending until smooth and adding sugar to taste. It has a bright orange colour, a velvety body and a concentrated, slightly tart apricot flavour. It is served chilled and is one of the classic drinks for breaking the fast during Ramadan.
Diets
Allergens
None of the 14 major allergens in a typical recipe.
What it is made of
Recipe
Ingredients
- 200 g qamar al-din (apricot paste sheets)
- 1 l water
- 2–3 tbsp sugar, to taste
- Ice, to serve
Method
- Tear the apricot sheets into small pieces and soak them in half the water for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Blend the softened paste with the soaking water until smooth.
- Add the remaining water and sugar to taste and blend again.
- Strain if you prefer a smoother drink, and chill.
- Serve cold over ice.
How to make it lighter
- Skip the added sugar; the apricot paste is already sweet.
- Dilute with more water for a lighter, more refreshing glass.
- Stick to one glass (about 200 ml) at iftar and drink water alongside.
History
Qamar al-Din apricot leather is traditionally associated with Damascus and the Ghouta orchards, where apricots were dried into thin sheets. Its name means 'moon of the faith', and several stories are told about its origin, none of them certain.
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Values are estimates per 100 g for a typical recipe; home and restaurant versions vary. Diets and allergens are worked out from the ingredients of a typical recipe — always check with whoever cooked the dish. Not medical advice. Nutrition data: Me Nutrition dish database v13. How we count →