Tamar Hindi, meaning “Indian dates” in Arabic, is a beloved Middle Eastern and South Asian beverage that transforms the humble tamarind pod into liquid gold. This ruby-red drink perfectly balances the natural tartness of tamarind with sweetness and warm spices, creating a refreshing experience that cools you from the inside out. Popular across Egypt, Lebanon, Pakistan, and India, this traditional drink serves as both a thirst-quencher and a natural digestive aid. Our version yields 4 generous servings and can be prepared in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for entertaining or simply treating yourself to something special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup dried tamarind pods or 3/4 cup tamarind paste
- 4 cups water (divided)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
- Pinch of ground cloves
- Ice cubes for serving
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
- Lemon slices for garnish (optional)
Preparing the Tamarind Base
Start by removing the outer shells from dried tamarind pods if using whole pods. Place the tamarind flesh in a bowl and pour 2 cups of warm water over it. Allow this mixture to soak for 20 minutes, giving the tamarind time to soften completely. The water will gradually turn a beautiful amber color as the tamarind releases its essence.
After soaking, use your hands to mash the tamarind thoroughly, breaking it down into smaller pieces and helping it release more flavor into the water. The mixture should look thick and pulpy at this stage.
Straining and Extracting the Liquid
Pour the entire mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher, pressing the pulp firmly with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. The goal is to separate the smooth tamarind liquid from any remaining fibers, seeds, or tough bits.
For an extra-smooth result, you can strain the liquid a second time through cheesecloth or a very fine strainer. This step ensures your finished drink will have a silky texture without any unwanted particles.
Adding Sweetness and Spice
In a small saucepan, combine the remaining 2 cups of water with the sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves and the spices release their aromatic oils. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
Remove the spiced syrup from heat and allow it to cool for 10 minutes. The cooling process helps prevent the hot liquid from affecting the delicate tamarind flavors when combined.
Bringing It All Together
Pour the cooled spiced syrup into the pitcher with your strained tamarind liquid. Stir everything together thoroughly, ensuring the flavors meld completely. Taste your Tamar Hindi and adjust the sweetness if needed by adding more sugar, or enhance the tartness by incorporating additional tamarind paste.
Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, though overnight chilling will develop even richer flavors. The cold temperature helps all the ingredients marry together beautifully.
Serving Your Tamar Hindi
Fill tall glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled Tamar Hindi over the ice, leaving some room at the top for garnishes. The drink should have a lovely reddish-brown color that catches the light beautifully.
Garnish each glass with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color and additional freshness. Lemon slices make an attractive rim garnish and add a subtle citrus note that complements the tamarind perfectly.
Storage and Variations
Your homemade Tamar Hindi will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week when stored in a covered pitcher. The flavors actually improve after the first day as they continue to blend together.
For a fizzy version, replace half the water with sparkling water just before serving. You can also experiment with different spice combinations by adding a pinch of black pepper for heat or rose water for floral notes. Some families prefer their Tamar Hindi less sweet, while others enjoy it almost syrupy, so feel free to adjust the sugar to match your taste preferences.
This traditional recipe serves 4 people generously and offers a authentic taste of Middle Eastern and South Asian hospitality in every refreshing sip.
