If you are in the mood for a refreshing, fragrant, and delightfully sweet beverage, this Sharbat (Sweet Rose Water Cordial) Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a timeless, cooling drink that combines the delicate aroma of rosewater with the brightness of lemon and the subtle, luxurious touch of saffron. Perfect for warm days or anytime you want a dash of elegance in your glass, this sharbat is simple to make yet utterly captivating in flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with this Sharbat (Sweet Rose Water Cordial) Recipe is a breeze because the ingredients are straightforward but each plays a vital role in building that beautiful balance of sweetness, floral notes, and freshness.
- Granulated sugar: This forms the sweet base of the syrup and balances the tartness of lemon.
- Water (for syrup): Essential for dissolving the sugar and creating that smooth, liquid foundation.
- Rosewater: The heart and soul of the cordial, delivering a fragrant and romantic note.
- Fresh lemon juice: Adds a gentle tang that brightens the entire drink.
- Saffron threads (optional): A pinch brings a subtle exotic aroma and a lovely golden hue.
- Fresh mint sprigs: Infuses a cooling freshness that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness.
- Chilled water (for serving): Lightens the syrup, making it perfectly refreshing and easy to sip.
- Ice cubes: Keeps your sharbat cool and invigorating.
- Lemon slices (optional): A pretty garnish that adds an extra burst of citrus aroma.
How to Make Sharbat (Sweet Rose Water Cordial) Recipe
Step 1: Create the Sugar Syrup
Start by combining 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Warm it gently over medium heat, stirring continuously until the sugar has completely dissolved. This syrup is the backbone of your sharbat, giving it that lovely sweetness and smooth texture.
Step 2: Infuse the Flavors
Once your syrup is ready, take it off the heat and stir in the rosewater, fresh lemon juice, saffron threads if you’re using them, and fresh mint sprigs. Allow this mixture to steep for about 10 minutes. This resting time allows the floral, citrusy, and herbal notes to blend beautifully, making the sharbat uniquely fragrant and bright.
Step 3: Strain and Chill
After steeping, strain the syrup to remove the mint leaves and saffron strands, pouring it into a clean jar or pitcher. Let it cool down completely before placing it into the refrigerator. Cooling the syrup is crucial because it makes sure your sharbat is ready to serve chilled and refreshing.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
When you’re ready to enjoy, spoon about 3 tablespoons of the syrup into a glass filled with ice cubes, then top it off with 3 cups of chilled water. Stir gently to marry all the flavors. The result is a wonderfully refreshing drink bursting with floral sweetness and a pleasant citrus zing.
How to Serve Sharbat (Sweet Rose Water Cordial) Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing your sharbat is the perfect way to elevate the experience. Fresh mint leaves add a burst of green and inviting aroma, while thin lemon slices enhance the citrus notes visually and in flavor. Both make your drink as beautiful as it is tasty, elevating the entire presentation effortlessly.
Side Dishes
This sharbat pairs wonderfully with light snacks and desserts. Think of crispy samosas, mild cheese platters, or freshly cut fruit. Its floral and sweet characteristics provide a lovely counterpoint to savory bites or a cool contrast to spicy dishes, making it an excellent companion for social gatherings or a quiet afternoon treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the sharbat in mason jars or delicate glass pitchers adorned with edible flowers or a sprig of mint on the rim. You can even freeze lemon slices in ice cubes for a playful pop of flavor and color as the ice melts. These little touches make sharing the Sharbat (Sweet Rose Water Cordial) Recipe even more special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover sharbat syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Keeping it chilled preserves the vibrant flavors and ensures every glass you pour tastes as delightful as the first.
Freezing
If you want to keep the syrup longer, you can freeze it in ice cube trays and then store the cubes in a freezer-safe bag. This way, you can thaw a cube or two as needed and instantly add a burst of flavor to your water or cocktails whenever the mood strikes.
Reheating
Reheating isn’t necessary or recommended since this sharbat is best served cold. Simply thaw frozen syrup cubes in the refrigerator or at room temperature before use, then dilute with chilled water as usual for a refreshing drink anytime.
FAQs
Can I make this Sharbat (Sweet Rose Water Cordial) Recipe vegan?
Absolutely! This sharbat is naturally vegan since it’s made from sugar, water, rosewater, lemon juice, and herbs, with no animal products involved.
Is saffron necessary in this recipe?
No, saffron is optional. It adds a subtle aroma and beautiful color but the drink is equally delicious without it if you prefer to keep things simple or don’t have saffron on hand.
How long does the sharbat syrup last?
Stored in the refrigerator, your sharbat syrup should stay fresh and flavorful for up to one week. Always use clean utensils to prevent contamination.
Can I adjust the sweetness?
Definitely! You can tweak the amount of sugar in the syrup to suit your taste preferences. If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the sugar or add more lemon juice for a tangier sharbat.
What are some good occasions to serve this sharbat?
Sharbat is versatile and perfect for warm summer days, festive gatherings, special celebrations, or anytime you want to impress guests with a charming and refreshing homemade drink.
Final Thoughts
Making and enjoying this Sharbat (Sweet Rose Water Cordial) Recipe is like inviting a burst of sunshine and elegance into your day. Its simple ingredients come together in a harmonious blend that’s refreshingly sweet, lightly floral, and so thirst-quenching. I wholeheartedly recommend giving this recipe a try—it’s a wonderful way to brighten up any moment with a touch of homemade love.
Print
Sharbat (Sweet Rose Water Cordial) Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Sharbat is a refreshing and sweet cordial made with a fragrant rosewater syrup, fresh lemon juice, and a hint of saffron and mint. Perfect for cooling down on a warm day, this easy-to-make drink combines floral and citrus flavors in a lightly sweetened iced beverage.
Ingredients
Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon rosewater
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- A pinch of saffron threads (optional)
- Few sprigs of fresh mint
To Serve
- 3 cups chilled water
- Ice cubes, as needed
- Lemon slices (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Make the sugar syrup: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar completely dissolves into the water, creating a clear syrup.
- Flavor the syrup: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon of rosewater, 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, a pinch of saffron threads if using, and a few sprigs of fresh mint. Allow the mixture to steep for 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Strain and cool: Strain the syrup through a fine sieve into a clean jar or pitcher to remove the mint leaves and saffron threads. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled.
- Prepare the drink: To serve, add 3 tablespoons of the chilled syrup into a glass filled with ice cubes. Top the glass with chilled water (about 3/4 cup) and stir gently to combine.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish the sharbat with lemon slices or fresh mint leaves as desired. Serve immediately for a refreshing, sweet cordial.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less syrup according to taste.
- For a richer color and aroma, soak saffron in a little warm water before adding it.
- Rosewater is key for authentic flavor; avoid imitation extracts.
- Sharbat can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best refreshing citrus taste.
- For a sparkling version, replace chilled water with sparkling water.
