Vegan Beverages
A Tamarind Cooler

Tamarind Syrup
You will find compressed blocks of tamarind at an India grocery store. This is an inexpensive, but very satisfying beverage for all ages. Great drink to have with any of my Indian Curry recipes.

Ingredients
7 ounces compressed tamarind, in block form
2 cups sugar
5 cups of your favorite bottled water

Tools
heavy bottomed sauce pan
measuring cups
strainer
2.5 cup storage jar with lid
food scale

Preparation
Tamarind and Water in Sauce Pan

Cut off a 7 ounce piece of the tamarind block and pull it apart to create small chunks... put the pieces into a heavy bottomed pan and add 5 cups of water.

Bring this mixture to a boil and steadily simmer boil until reduced by half (about 20 minutes).

Tamarind Pressed Through A Sieve

Once Pressed, Scrape The Bottom Of The Sieve

Strain the boiled tamarind mixture into a clean pan and add the sugar.

Cook for 2 or 3 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved.

Remove from the heat and pour through a strainer and leave to drip into a clean bowl.

Finished Tamarind Concentrated Syrup With Sugar Added

This recipe produces 2 1/2 cups of beautiful clear pink tamarind syrup, with an exquisite taste.

Pour the cooled tamarind syrup into a jar and close tightly.

Once opened, keep refrigerated.

Presentation
Create A Tamarind Drink
In a fine glass filled with ice add:
2 tablespoons Tamarind Syrup
pinch of sea salt
1 teaspoon lime or lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
top it off with your favorite brand of bubbling soda water and stir... yummy!

I haven't experimented yet, but I think this would be great on roasted sweet potatoes...