Tangy sour plum drink with sweet-sour smoked plum flavor is a refreshing summer beverage. A family recipe with fresh, traditional Chinese flavor.
Rinse the smoked plums, hawthorn berries, licorice root, and dried orange peel under cold running water.
Add all rinsed ingredients to a medium pot with 5 cups of water.
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.
Add rock sugar and salt, stirring until completely dissolved. Allow to simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
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.