I promised you mocktail recipes! Here’s one.
Soul Refresher: Watermelon & Rose Iced Tea
(serves 6)
Rooh Afza is a traditional syrup formulated in 1906 in Ghaziabad, British India by Hakim Hafiz Abdul Majeed, combining several ingredients commonly believed to be cooling agents, such as rose — its name is sometimes translated as “refresher of the soul”. Ingredients vary; my current cordial bottle primarily mixes fragrant screw pine (kewra) with rose, lending complex flavor and beautiful fragrance. It can easily be found online or in South Asian grocery stories.
– 3 c. watermelon, plus more garnish
– 1 T Rooh Afza
– 3 c. cold tea (use tea of your choice; I used elderflower, but caffeinated black tea would also work well — try Lady Grey for a delicate variation, or PG Tips if you’re looking for something more sturdy)
1. Brew tea (2-3 tea bags and 3 c. boiled water) and let cool, chill for two hours in fridge.
2. Blend watermelon and Rooh Afza together.
3. For each glass, combine 1/2 c. watermelon blend with 1/2 c. cold tea. Serve iced, with a garnish of watermelon slice.
NOTE: For a more luxurious version, top each glass with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
