RECIPE: Calamansi Lemonade (My Current Obsession)

Image taken from the internet

Calamansi. Golden Lime. Filipino Lime. Calamondin. Or Lemon Cui / Jeruk Kunci as known in Indonesia. Same thing, different names and I'M CURENTLY OBSESSED! For easier naming, let's just call it calamansi, okay?

While it's kinda looks like lime, but it's not lime. The skin is thinner and inside of calamansi is orange, compared to the white/light green-ish lime, and just like other citrus fruits, this too contain a very high amount of vitamin C.

The first time I've ever had calamansi juice was when I visited Singapore back when I was still in college. It was refreshing, sweet, fragrant and I fell in love with that flavor. It somehow tastes like a mix between lemon and lime, but with more... tropical (for the lack of better word) aroma. Imagine how good it tastes in a hot humid sunny day. Yum! As a citrus flavor fan, calamansi juice instantly became one of my favorite drink whenever I visit Singapore, without knowing that we actually have THE EXACT SAME THING here in INDONESIA, just with a different name. How silly. 'Katrok' much, I know. So fast forward to few years later, I was having dinner in a Bangkanese restaurant and my friend suggested that I order their specialty drink which is 'es jeruk kunci', of course as a curious food lover, I agreed. I actually ever heard one or two things about this 'jeruk kunci' as addition to food, to give a tang flavor or just to mask the fishy smell from the food (I've seen it being used for Siomay and grilled fish), so when the drink came out and it turned to be my long lost favorite, I literally overjoyed. Hahaha.

I introduced the drink to my family and they loved it as well. My mom mentioned that she knows some fruit sellers in the market who sell calamansi, so obviously I asked her to buy some for me because I had an idea to make it at home, big batch, DIY style for us to enjoy. Of course in order to share my obsession with calamansi / jeruk kunci (if you are Indonesian), I'm going to share my home-made calamansi lemonade recipe. It's easier than you've ever imagine, it's cheap, and I promise it's gonna taste sooooo geeeewd, especially if you drink it cold, in a hot sunny day.

CALAMANSI LEMONADE (SERVES 4)

INGREDIENTS:
1. Calamansi - around 16-20
2. Water - approximately 1000 ml
3. Sugar (simple syrup is better) / honey to taste (I don't like honey so I used sugar, 4 tbsp)
4. Ice cubes (optional)

HOW TO:
1. Squeeze the calamansi juice, discard the skin and seeds (duh) and set aside
2. Combine all the ingredients and stir well
3. Serve over ice cubes, or you can just chill it in the refrigerator before serving. Taste even better though ;)

Image taken from internet

 

There you have it! One great thing about making drinks is you can tweak it all you want. Want a sweeter drink? Add more sugar. Not a fan of too sweet or too sour drink? Dilute with more water or use less amount of ingredients. In the mood for tangy lemony refreshing drink? Add more fruit. Please try and see if you like it or not :D