Best Easy Sour Plum Drink Recipe

Tangy sour plum drink with sweet-sour smoked plum flavor is a refreshing summer beverage. A family recipe with fresh, traditional Chinese flavor.

Cook 30 min Difficulty EASY 90 kcal
#vegetarian #mediterranean #low calorie
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • Smoked plums (wu mei) 6 pieces
  • Dried hawthorn berries 2 tbsp
  • Dried licorice root 2 slices
  • Dried orange peel 1 tbsp
  • Rock sugar 4 tbsp
  • Water 5 cups
Seasonings/Sauce
  • Salt 1 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 22 g 98%
Protein 1 g 2%
Fat 0 g 0%
Serving size 250g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Rinse the smoked plums, hawthorn berries, licorice root, and dried orange peel under cold running water.

  2. 2

    Add all rinsed ingredients to a medium pot with 5 cups of water.

  3. 3

    Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then lower to a simmer. Maintain a gentle simmer for 30 minutes with the lid slightly ajar for flavor extraction.

  4. 4

    Add rock sugar and salt, stirring until completely dissolved. Allow to simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

  5. 5

    Remove from heat. Strain the liquid into a heatproof pitcher and let it cool to room temperature before chilling in the refrigerator. Serve cold over ice.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this sour plum drink recipe?
The smoked plums (wu mei) are the core ingredient, delivering the distinctive tangy, sweet-sour, and subtle smokiness central to this drink's traditional flavor. Together with dried hawthorn and orange peel, they create a layered, refreshing profile.
Q. How do I control the intensity and flavor during simmering?
To best extract flavor without bitterness, maintain a gentle simmer—not a rapid boil—for the recommended 30 minutes. Keeping the lid slightly ajar manages moisture loss and prevents overly concentrated flavors.
Q. How can I avoid bitterness in the drink?
Thoroughly rinsing the herbs and using low, steady heat prevents over-extraction, which can lead to unwanted bitterness. Only simmer for the specified time and strain immediately after cooking for the best clarity and taste.
Q. How many calories are in each serving of this sour plum drink?
Each 250g serving contains approximately 90 kcal, with most calories coming from carbohydrates (22g per serving, 98%), making it a light, refreshing option.
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