This delicious tamarind juice recipe is a family favorite. It’s made by combining whole tamarind pods with water, simmering them until softened, then straining off the water and adding brown sugar and freshly squeezed lime juice to taste.
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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the
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If you love a good and refreshing drink, then this tamarind drink is it. Popular in the Caribbean, this drink is similar to lemonade, and some may argue it’s even better. I like to serve it as an alternative to typical lemonade, as it has a distinct yet refreshing taste. This sweet tamarind juice drink is perfectly served over ice on a hot summer day.
Tamarind has a slightly sweet and sour flavor, which I balance by adding brown sugar and freshly squeezed lime juice for a touch of acidity. The amount of sugar and lime juice you need to add will vary depending on your tamarind pods.
If you love a good refreshing drink, try my Jamaican Style Carrot Juice or Classic Lemonade.
Why this Recipe Works
Most recipes call for soaking the tamarind in hot water to extract the flavor. Simmering the tamarind pods cuts down on the time but also retains the delicious flavor of the tamarind.
Ingredients
Here’s what you will need to make tamarind juice at home:
- Water – use tap water if you are lucky enough to live somewhere with good water, if not use filtered water.
- Sugar – I use brown sugar to make a simple syrup, but you can use any type of sugar for this recipe.
- Tamarind – I use whole tamarind pods. You can also use tamarind pulp blocks, just make sure that it is 100% tamarind with no added ingredients.
- Lime – I add fresh lime juice to add sourness and balance out the sweet brown sugar.
Equipment needed
- Large pot
- Measuring jug
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Fine sieve
- Pitcher
How to make Tamarind Juice
Start by removing the outer husk of the tamarind pods and discard any strings attached to the pods.
Add the tamarind pods and 6 cups of water to a large pot. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes. The pods should be soft, and the water should be tan-colored. Remove from heat, set aside, and allow to cool.
Once cool enough to handle, strain the mixture into a sieve over a large bowl.
Use a spoon or your hands to press the pulp and seeds to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the seed and pulp. Set the liquid aside.
Meanwhile, in a separate small pot over medium heat, whisk together water and brown sugar and allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until the brown sugar is dissolved into the water, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Pour the liquid from the tamarinds, the brown sugar liquid, and lime juice into a pitcher. Stir to combine.
Serve over ice.
Tanya’s Top Tips
These tips will help you make the best tamarind juice you’ve ever tried.
- Make sure you take time to simmer the tamarind pods until they have softened as this will make it much easier to pass the tamarind flavored water through the sieve.
- Use a spoon to push down on the tamarind pods in the sieve, extracting as much water and flavor as you can.
- Taste the juice and adjust the flavor to suit your own palette. Add more sweetness or sour lime to taste.
- Some tamarind is labeled sour tamarind. Don’t use that in this recipe, or you’ll need to add a lot of sugar to balance the taste.
Flavor variations
- Tamarind juice is similar to lemonade and should be sweetened to your taste.
- For a different taste, try swapping brown sugar for coconut sugar.
- Add a little vanilla extract to the juice.
- Make tamarind and ginger juice by adding thin slices of fresh ginger when melting the brown sugar and water. Bring to a boil, then pour the mixture through a fine sieve to remove the ginger before adding to the tamarind water.
- Make a cocktail by adding a shot of dark rum to your tamarind juice…it’s so delicious.
Serving suggestions
Chill the juice in the refrigerator or serve immediately over ice cubes.
How to store homemade tamarind juice?
Once made, cool and store in a pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
FAQs
Tamarind is a tropical tree that you will find growing in Africa and Asia. The tree produces pods of fruit popular in African, Caribbean, South and Southeast Asian cuisines.
When fully ripe, tamarind has a slightly sweet and sour flavor, whereas unripe fruit pods will be more sour and acidic. The sourness is close to a zesty sour lemon or lime, with a little sweetness similar to dates.
Yes, due to the high fiber content of this drink, it is safe to enjoy daily.
Yes, provided you don’t overload the drink with sugar, tamarind juice is healthy as it has a high fiber content and is loaded in antioxidants.
Yes, if you cannot source tamarind pods you can use tamarind paste instead. Just make sure it is 100% tamarind with no added ingredients. Heat the paste in water, then pass through a sieve before adding the rest of the ingredients.
If you have tried this tamarind juice recipe or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Tamarind Juice Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 cups water separated
- 1 cup brown sugar adjust to taste
- 1 lb tamarind pods
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Start by removing the outer husk of the tamarind pods and discard any strings attached to the pods.
- In a large pot, add the tamarind pods and 6 cups of water. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes. The pods should be soft, and the water should be tan colored. Remove from heat, set aside, and allow to cool.
- Once cool enough to handle, strain the mixture into a sieve over a large bowl, pressing the pulp and seeds to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the seed and pulp. Set the liquid aside.
- Meanwhile, in a separate small pot over medium heat, whisk together water and brown sugar and allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until the brown sugar is dissolved into the water, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Pour the liquid from the tamarinds, the brown sugar liquid, and lime juice into a pitcher. Stir to combine.
- Serve over ice.
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Notes
- Tamarind juice is similar to lemonade and should be sweetened to your taste. If you find the juice too sour, simply add a bit more sweetener, such as sugar or honey.
- Chill the juice in the refrigerator or serve immediately over ice cubes.