# Qamar al-Din: The Apricot Ramadan Drink, Made at Home

> Qamar al-din is made by soaking sheets of dried apricot leather in warm water for two to three hours until soft, then blending with more water and sugar and straining. The soaking is what gives it its thick, creamy body.

**Egyptian Cuisine · 186 min · 6 servings · 150 kcal per serving**

Qamar al-din has a place of its own in Ramadan — plenty of people won't break their fast without it. It's rich, creamy and genuinely useful for replacing energy and fluids after a long day. Here's how to make it at home, easily, and better than anything bottled.

## Ingredients

- 1 — sheet of apricot leather (qamar al-din)
- 3 cups — warm water
- 3 tbsp — sugar
- a teaspoon of rose water or vanilla

## Method

1. **Cut it up** — Cut the sheet into small pieces so it dissolves more easily.
2. **Soaking** — Put the pieces in a deep bowl with two cups of warm water.
3. Leave it to soak for two to three hours, or overnight if you prefer.
4. **Blending** — Once softened, blend it with the remaining water and the sugar — add the rose water here if you're using it.
5. **Straining and serving** — Pass it through a fine sieve if you want a very smooth texture.
6. Chill it, and serve cold over ice.
7. **Why qamar al-din?** — It's rich in vitamins A and C and natural energy, it aids digestion, it's filling and it wakes up the appetite — and both adults and children like the taste.

## FAQ

### Can I make it without a blender?
Yes — if it's soaked well you can work it by hand, though the texture won't be as smooth.

### Do I have to add rose water?
No, it's a matter of taste, but it adds a distinctly Middle Eastern note.

### Can I scale the recipe up?
Of course — just keep the same water-to-apricot ratio so the flavour stays right.

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Source: https://hanakoleah.com/en/egyptian-cuisine/qamar-al-din-apricot-drink-recipe
Edited by: Marwa Mohamed
Last updated: 2026-10-29