Tamer Hindi (Tamarind Drink)
![A glass pitcher and two glasses filled with tamer hindi a sweet and sour tamarind beverage.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/assets.epicurious.com/photos/6239cb35fbeee9907e931cc8/1:1/w_2560%2Cc_limit/The%2520Aleppo%2520Cookbook_Tamer%2520Hindi.jpg)
This refreshing sweet and sour beverage—made with tamarind, water, and sugar—is popular during the month of Ramadan. The semi-dried tamarind paste used for tamer hindi can be purchased online or at Middle Eastern grocery stores.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes about 10½ cups
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Separate the tamarind mass into chunks and place in a bowl. Cover with the boiling water and set aside for a few hours until the pulp dissolves in the water.
Step 2
Rub the tamarind pulp and seeds with your fingers, and add 3 cups (700 ml) cold water.
Step 3
Place the mixture in a fine mesh strainer set over a large bowl and press on the tamarind to extract all the juice.
Step 4
Transfer the pulp residue to a small bowl and add 2 cups (480 ml) cold water, rubbing the mixture with your fingers. Strain into the large bowl used above.
Step 5
Repeat the procedure a third time with 1 cup (240 ml) water.
Step 6
Add the sugar to the tamarind juice in the large bowl and stir to dissolve.
Step 7
Refrigerate and serve very cold with ice and water to dilute as desired (about ¼ cup or 60 ml water per 240 ml cup of juice).
After step 3, the sour juice can be used as a substitute for lemon juice in some recipes.