With soaring temperatures everywhere we all turn to juices and drinks to keep cool. Barley and winter melon are both cooling agents and the combination make the perfect drink for summer! Candied winter melon can be easily found at a local Indian Store or Chinese Store. At the Indian store, it goes by the name Agra Petha. Growing up in Malaysia, I have had so many cups of this refreshing drink. It can be served warm or chilled, but my preference is the chilled version 🙂
P.S: Normally the drink doesn’t look as green as the picture shown but I had access to only pandan essence and not pandan leaf. The taste is exactly the same, but the added color comes from the essence 🙂
Time:
- Prep time – 35 minutes
- Cook time – 60 minutes
Ingredients:
- Pearl Barley – 1/2 cup
- Candied Winter Melon – 1 cup
- In India, this is called Agra Petha. You will find it at an Indian Sweet Store
- Pandan Leaf – 2 or Pandan essence – a drop
- Water – 8 cups
- Sugar (Add sugar once the drink is ready and you have tasted it. It’s optional as the candied winter melon makes the drink sweet)
Method:
- Soak the barley for 30 minutes in some water
- Meanwhile, prepare a large pot with the water, pandan leaf (or essence), and candied winter melon.
- Once the barley has soaked for 30 minutes, drain and add the barley to the large pot with the other ingredients
- Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 60 minutes
- Once done, taste the liquid for sweetness. If not sweet enough, add some sugar and mix well till the sugar has dissolved
- Place it in the refrigerator to cool and then enjoy 🙂
Alisha Cooking 