🇹🇷 Turkish Cuisine · Drinks

Limonata

Prep

10 mins

Cook

0 mins

Serves

4

Difficulty

Easy

Fresh Turkish lemonade blended from whole lemons for a cloud-white, intensely citrusy fizzy drink.

Ingredients

  • 700g chicken thighs
  • 400g simit rings
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp dried mint
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup ripe tomatoes, sliced
  • a handful of fresh mint, chopped
  • pomegranate molasses, for serving
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1 cup cucumber, sliced

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine the yufka pastry and water in a saucepan, blender, or pitcher, stirring well.

  2. 2

    Add the cracked black pepper and plain yogurt, stirring gently so their flavor infuses the mixture.

  3. 3

    Heat gently over low heat (or blend, or steep, depending on the drink) until well combined and fragrant, about 0 mins.

  4. 4

    Strain through a fine sieve to remove any solids, if needed.

  5. 5

    Sweeten to taste with crumbled feta, adjusting gradually until the balance feels right.

  6. 6

    Chill in the refrigerator, or pour straight over ice, depending on whether it is served cold or hot.

Tips

If serving warm, gently reheat just before pouring rather than letting it come to a boil.

Adjust the sweetness gradually, tasting as you go — you can always add more crumbled feta, but you cannot take it away.