Qamar al-Din (Apricot Drink) – Ramadan Special

Its name, "Qamar al-Din," translates to "moon of the religion," symbolizing the brightness and sweetness of the drink, much like the moon that lights up the night sky. Qamar al-Din offers a delicious, sweet, and refreshing drink that is full of vitamins and natural sugars. The inclusion of Emperor Akbar Cardamom in this recipe takes the drink to another level, adding a warm and rich aroma that perfectly complements the tartness of the apricots and the natural sweetness of the drink.

Ingredients:
For the Apricot Base:
Dried apricots – 1 ½ cups (soaked in warm water for 2 hours or overnight)
Water – 4 cups (for soaking and boiling)
Sugar – 3-4 tbsp (adjust according to sweetness preference)
Lemon juice – 1 tbsp (optional, for added freshness)

For the Flavoring:
Emperor Akbar Cardamom – 3-4 pods (lightly crushed)
Cinnamon stick – 1 (optional, for extra warmth)
Rose water or orange blossom water – 1 tsp (optional, for floral notes)

To Serve:
Ice cubes – as needed
Fresh mint leaves – for garnish (optional)

Instructions
1. Prepare the Apricots: If you haven’t already soaked the dried apricots, place them in a bowl and cover them with warm water. Let them soak for at least 2 hours or overnight for a more intense flavor.
After soaking, drain the apricots, but reserve the soaking water to use in the recipe.

2. Cook the Apricot Mixture: In a medium saucepan, add the soaked apricots, 4 cups of water, and the Emperor Akbar Cardamom pods. If using, add the cinnamon stick as well.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the apricots soften and the flavors begin to meld together.
Stir occasionally to prevent the apricots from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

3. Blend the Apricot Base: Once the apricots have softened, remove the saucepan from the heat. Use an immersion blender directly in the saucepan to blend the apricots into a smooth puree. Alternatively, you can transfer the mixture to a regular blender and blend until smooth.
After blending, return the mixture to the saucepan (if you used a blender), and add sugar to taste. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.

4. Add Lemon and Additional Flavorings: Stir in the lemon juice (if using), which will help balance the sweetness with a hint of tartness.
For an additional layer of flavor, add rose water or orange blossom water for floral notes. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before serving.

5. Serve the Drink: Once the mixture has cooled, strain the drink into a pitcher, removing any solids or cardamom pods. Add cold water to dilute the drink to your preferred consistency—generally, 2-3 cups of water will do the trick depending on how thick you like the drink.
Chill the drink in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours or serve immediately with ice cubes.

6. Garnish and Enjoy: Pour the chilled drink into glasses filled with ice cubes. Garnish with fresh mint leaves or a few more crushed cardamom pods for an added fragrance. Serve as a refreshing, aromatic beverage at Iftar.