Prep Time
10 mins
Servings
4 Servings
Cook Time
10 mins
Difficulty
Easy
A quick, non-alcoholic cooler that balances tart pomegranate with cooling mint and warm cardamom. Easy to mix and simple to tailor to taste.
Ingredients
600ml pomegranate juice, chilled (use 100% juice for best flavour)
100g caster sugar, granulated (adjust to taste or substitute honey)
100ml water (for syrup), cold (for the cardamom-mint syrup)
6 pods green cardamom pods, lightly crushed (crush to release flavour)
15g fresh mint leaves, roughly torn (reserve a few sprigs to garnish)
30ml lemon juice, freshly squeezed (about half a lemon)
400ml sparkling water, chilled (or swap for still)
as required ice cubes (to serve)
Method
Step 1
In a small saucepan, combine the 100ml water and 100g caster sugar. Add the crushed cardamom pods and half the mint leaves (about 7–8g).
Step 2
Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to infuse, then remove from the heat and leave to cool for 10 minutes.
Step 3
Strain the syrup through a fine sieve into a jug, pressing on the solids to extract flavour. Discard the solids and leave the syrup to cool completely.
Step 4
Add the 600ml chilled pomegranate juice and 30ml lemon juice to the cooled syrup and stir to combine.
Step 5
To serve, fill four glasses with ice if using, pour 150–200ml of the sharbat concentrate into each glass and top with sparkling water to taste (about 100ml per glass for a lightly fizzy finish). Stir gently and garnish with remaining mint sprigs.
Step 6
Adjust sweetness or acidity as needed by adding a little more syrup or a squeeze of lemon, then serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
Per serving:
Energy - 184kcal
Protein - 0.9g
Carbohydrates - 47g
Fat - 0.4g
Fibre - 0.6g
This nutritional information is provided as a helpful estimate. Values may vary depending on the ingredients and portion sizes you use.
Recipe Notes
Make the syrup ahead and chill; use still water instead of sparkling for a milder drink. Adjust sugar to taste or replace with honey, remembering it may alter flavour.
