I've featured sharbat (the South Asian equivalent of the Western chocolate milk for kids) in the past. The key ingredient in sharbat is a product called Rooh Afza, which is a syrup made of flower petals such as Gulab (Rose), coriander seeds, kewra and watermelon extract. It literally translates to "that which tempts your soul".

Rooh Afza is fairly versatile and is used in many other drinks and desserts. One such recipe is similar to sharbat, but without the milk and nuts. I often make this drink when I need to cool off a bit. It's very refreshing and light.

Ingredients

Servings: 12 servings

2-1/2 cups Rooh Afza syrup
1 quart ice cubes
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
8-3/4 cups water, to taste

Preparation

For the simple syrup: In a saucepan, dissolve the sugar in 3/4 cup of water. Bring to a near boil, lower the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Let the syrup cool completely.

Assembly time: Combine the simple syrup and Rooh Afza syrup. Dissolve the syrup with water.

Serve over ice in tall glasses; stir and enjoy with pink cookies.

Enjoy!

Rose Drink Recipe

Tips

You can omit the simple syrup and just use the Rooh Afza, if you're health-conscious.

I prefer using superfine sugar. It's fine-grained sugar and it dissolves much more quickly than regular granulated sugar.

If you like a lemony taste, add the juice of 10 lemons (about 1-1/2 cups) and reduce the same amount of water.

The girls like to make the drink fizzy by adding seltzer water (or even Coke), in place of water.

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Discussion:

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[-] This is awesome - Guest-OysterCulture

I've had this before and it is yummy, I had a drink with this in it and I think condensed milk, it was like a heavy floral milkshake in Singapore and I wanted to sip it all afternoon.

I am going to pick up a bottle next time I'm at the Indian market.

OysterCulture Website Link

[ Posted at 7:53 AM on 10/2/09 | Reply ]

[-] Wonderful so wonderful - Guest-GeraSweetsFoods

You know that you take awesome pics, I need this drink right now...the only thing is that I don't know where to find Rooh Afza..here will see...

Cheers!

Gera

Gera @ SweetsFoods Website Link

[ Posted at 7:40 PM on 10/2/09 | Reply ]

[-] Re: Rooh Afza, Summer Drink of The East - Jackie

Rooh Afza can be found in any Indian or Pakistani store.You can also find it online.

[ Posted at 10:26 PM on 10/2/09 | Reply ]

[-] Rooh Afza, Summer Drink of The East - Guest-Syrie

Interesting I've never heard of this. Growing up in Thailand I always drank vitamilk (soymilk) or Tang -- that sickly sweet, powdered orange drink.

Syrie Website Link

[ Posted at 8:36 PM on 10/3/09 | Reply ]

[-] The Spice Spoon - Guest-shayma

this was the drink i grew up with- how amazing to see this drink on your website! i have never quite understood nor come to know what the ingredients are (a bit scary, actually!) but i do live it in milk in the warm summer months. i had no idea that you can find this in India. best wishes, shayma

shayma Website Link

[ Posted at 6:50 AM on 1/26/10 | Reply ]

[-] @Shyama - Guest-mama

Yes it's available in India from 1906. Very popular. There are several other such drinks.

[ Posted at 9:14 PM on 9/18/10 | Reply ]

[-] Rooh Afza, Summer Drink of The East - Guest-abubakersiddeeq

wow super

[ Posted at 1:22 PM on 10/26/10 | Reply ]

[-] rooh afza drink - Guest-MJavid

do any body know where to find rooh afza in uk

[ Posted at 2:29 PM on 8/2/11 | Reply ]

[-] ms - Guest-polly

i bought mine at morrisons believe or not !!!!

[ Posted at 6:17 PM on 4/6/12 | Reply ]

[-] @Shyma from The Spice Spoon - Guest-AeliaMorris

the ingredient list for Rooh Afza can be found on wikipedia, apparently its all natural, its made from herbs, fruits, vegetables, flowers and roots. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooh_Afza

[ Posted at 5:46 PM on 8/5/12 | Reply ]

[-] Rooh Afza, Summer Drink of The East - Guest-wiki

Fast food is never good to eat frequently and shouldn't be your primary diet. Your body is trying to tell you that your poisoning it, try eating healthier. It can also be how your food is being prepared and how long they are leaving it out. Thanks.
Regards,
creative bioscience green coffee bean extract

[ Posted at 6:33 AM on 2/4/13 | Reply ]

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