Sour Plum Drink (Suanmeitang 冰鎮酸梅湯)

Ingredients

• 18 grams wumei - dried smoked plums (Chinese: 烏梅)
• 46 grams shanzha - Chinese dried hawthorn (Chinese: 山楂)
• 6 grams gancao - Chinese dried liquorice (Chinese: 甘草)
• 1 liter (4 cups) – 1.25 liter (5 cups) cold water
• 90 - 125 grams Chinese brown sugar in pieces (Chinese: 冰片糖)

Steps

1. 1

   Rinse Ingredients: Rinse Wumei, Shanzha, and Gancao under cold running tap water to remove residue or dust.

2. 2

   Pressure Cook Sour Plum Drink: Place all ingredients (except Chinese brown sugar in pieces) in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. Close lid and Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 30 minutes + 10 minutes Quick Release. Release the remaining pressure and open the lid carefully.

3. 3

   Filter & Sweeten: Use a strainer to filter all the ingredients. Bring the Sour Plum Drink back to a boil over medium heat. Stir and gradually put in 90 grams – 125 grams of Chinese brown sugar in pieces until desired sweetness.

4. 4

   Chill in Fridge: Pour the sour plum drink into a glass container, set aside and let it completely cool off. Then, chill in the fridge. You can store it in fridge for up to 3 days.

5. 5

   Optional - Freeze in Fridge: Pour half of the sour plum drink into a silicone mold or an ice cube tray. Set aside and let it completely cool off. Then, freeze it in the freezer. Pour the remaining plum juice into a glass container. Set aside and let it completely cool off. Then, store it in the fridge.