A refreshing sweet-and-sour Persian syrup to be diluted in ice-cold water.

　　

Ingredients

3 cups water

　　5 cups sugar

　　1 1/2 cups white-wine vinegar

　　6 sprigs of fresh mint, washed

　　

Step 1

Bring the water to the boil with the sugar, stirring constantly until the sugar has dissolved. Add the vinegar and simmer for 20 minutes longer. Remove from the heat and submerge the sprigs of mint in the syrup. The flavor of the mint will penetrate the syrup as it cools. Remove the mint, and pour into clean bottles.

　　

Step 2

To serve, stir 5 tablespoons syrup into each glass of iced water (or water and ice cubes).

　　

Variation

Step 3

Sometimes a little peeled and grated cucumber is added when serving, and a mint leaf is used to garnish.

　　The New Book of Middle Eastern Food Copyright © 2000Knopf