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Mulberry Nights



It's truly summer when frosty glasses full of ice cubes start showing up around the house. But this drink is super special.

Mulberries are such a rare commodity in Mumbai that I instantly gobble up any that I am able to get. Although they grow in nearby Mahabaleshwar, the fruit is so delicate that half of it gets overripe by the time it reaches the markets. Which is why I am always on the lookout for just-ripe mulberries. And which is why I ended up with a pack of underripe, tangy fruit instead.

So I made a mulberry syrup. Throughly washed a cup of mulberries, then put them in a pan with 3 tbsp caster sugar and 1/4 cup water. Cooked them until the mulberries got just a little mushy. Then, when they cooled down a little, I pureed them in the blender and passed them through a sieve.

To make the actual drink, I put a tbsp of this syrup in a champagne flute, sprinkled some rock salt, filled the glass with ice cubes and topped with plain soda (sparkling water). Now isn't that a gorgeous color to have around on a summer night.
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Comments

Unknown said…
Looks so tempting, I don't know if I am familiar with this fruit. I will google it now :)
May 25, 2011 at 1:32 AM
Suganya said…
Lovely color to the drink... Looks so good and cool. YUM!
May 25, 2011 at 3:08 AM
Shylaja said…
Wonderful and refreshing color
South Indian Recipes
May 25, 2011 at 8:05 AM
AJ said…
Looks so good Simran!! I just adore mulberries - we had a tree in our garden!!
May 25, 2011 at 8:54 AM
chef and her kitchen said…
wow...such a refreshing drink simran..I was never impressed wid dis fruit,its very sour...but never attempted this way..I think its one of d best ways to use those berries...the click is very nice...:)
May 25, 2011 at 12:11 PM
my life and spice said…
Believe it or not, I've actually seen mulberry trees around the University Campus here in Philadelphia. The fruits are tiny and oblong rather than the longish kind we get in India. I will definitely try and pick some this year and try your drink!
May 25, 2011 at 11:27 PM
notyet100 said…
umm will try this sometime,..;-)
May 26, 2011 at 4:08 PM
Naina said…
Lovely pic! Well captured!!
May 30, 2011 at 6:53 PM
Unknown said…
I love mulberries. We used to have huge trees in the park next to school, and I remember actually eating them off the tree :)

The mulberries here are usually so sour, I've stopped eating them. Making them into a drink, and a gorgeous one at that, is a great idea.
June 6, 2011 at 2:27 PM
Sahid Bartending Club said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
February 16, 2012 at 11:49 PM
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