In the Arab world, people are accustomed to displaying a host of drinks on their Iftar table: Irk Sous, Tamer Hind, and Qamrideen. As a child I was never really fond of those drinks, they were too sweet for my taste, plus they didn’t seem to really quench my thirst.
This Ramadan, I came across the best thirst-quencher ever: Yogurt (diluted with water). Have a yogurt drink right after you drink water when you break your fast, or with your meal. The minerals and goodness in the yogurt will jump-start you immediately. The other day I approached Iftar with the attitude of a dry plant; after I sipped on yogurt, I felt really rejuvenated and re-energized!
Here’s the simple way to make a yogurt drink:
- Fill a jug with a few spoons of yogurt
- Add some water, but keep the yogurt a little bit thick; a lot of water will make it too thin and you’ll lose the taste
- Add a pinch of salt
- Add a pinch of dry mint (optional – but yummy and has a cooling effect)
- mix well
On Suhoor (Suhur), have a glass or two of this yogurt drink ahead of Dawn Prayers with your meal.
Ramadan Mubarak!
Damascus ~ By Mark Archer ~ The Financial Times
