Especially on hot days there is nothing better than a cool drink. But must it always be the usual treats like a beer, cola or water? Why don’t you try the Vietnamese classic Da Chanh, which has inspired the whole country? The name means nothing other than ice cubes with limes. The recipe is as simple as it sounds. That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate and start right away, because the delicious alternative to our well-known drinks is a must, especially for parties, barbecues or a cosy film marathon.
You should take a little time, because Da Chanh is not a drink that you make within a few seconds. Of course, you only need five minutes to prepare it, but another time factor is quickly added: the resting time. To get the maximum taste experience, the Vietnamese lemonade should cool for about six hours. This is the only way to ensure that the aromas unfold in the best possible way and obtain a perfectly rounded taste. In the best case, prepare Da Chanh the day before. As soon as the party starts, you can get Da Chanh out of the fridge. Follow the recipe and you’ll get around 200 millilitres of syrup. This is enough for four glasses. If you need more, you should simply adjust the recipe a little.
Da Chanh
Ingredients
- 200 ml lime juice
- 150 g sugar
- sparkling or still mineral water
Instructions
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First, you must express the six to seven limes. Simply use a conventional lemon squeezer. If you don't have one, roll the limes over your worktop until they feel soft. When the time is right, you can cut the lime open and press it into a bowl by hand. An intermediate layer should form a sieve so that you can collect the seeds and flesh. Of course you can also add the flesh to the lemonade. This gives an extra freshness kick.
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Now add the sugar to the lime juice. To shorten the waiting time a little, you can use refined sugar. This is much finer and dissolves more quickly in the liquid. In this respect, you can reduce the cooling time to about four hours. If you cannot find such a sugar, you must cool Da Chanh for at least six hours. It is important that you stir from time to time. This is the only way to distribute the dissolving sugar best.
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After the cooling time you are ready to serve Da Chanh. It is up to you whether you use still or carbonated mineral water. Pour about a third of the syrup into a glass. Fill this up with two parts of mineral water. Of course you can also fill a whole carafe or bottle with this formula. It is always a good idea to try it beforehand. For example, you like a more intense or only light taste. Adjust the amount of syrup and water accordingly.
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For the perfect taste experience on warm days you should add ice cubes. If you do not intend to drink Da Chanh immediately, you should reduce the amount of water. After all, the ice cubes will melt over time. A few lime slices on the edge or directly in the drink will give you a great look. Just remove the annoying seeds beforehand.