Lebanese Orange Blossom Drink

Servings: 4 glasses

Preparation: 5 minutes

Chilling: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Very easy

Ingredients

• 4 cups cold water
• 3–4 tablespoons sugar
• 1½ tablespoons food-grade orange blossom water
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, optional
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1 orange, thinly sliced, for garnish
• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish
• Edible orange blossom petals, optional

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1. Prepare the Sugar Syrup

Pour 1 cup of water into a small saucepan.

Add 3–4 tablespoons sugar.

Heat gently over low heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.

Do not boil.

Remove from the heat and allow the syrup to cool completely.

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2. Make the Orange Blossom Drink

Pour the cooled syrup into a large jug.

Add:

• Remaining 3 cups cold water
• 1½ tablespoons orange blossom water
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, if using

Stir thoroughly.

Taste before adding more orange blossom water.

Orange blossom water is concentrated, so too much can make the drink taste strongly perfumed.

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3. Balance the Flavor

Adjust according to taste.

Too floral: Add more cold water.

Too sour: Add another tablespoon of sugar syrup.

Too sweet: Add a little lemon juice.

Not floral enough: Add orange blossom water ½ teaspoon at a time.

The finished drink should be lightly sweet, delicately floral and refreshing, rather than intensely fragrant.

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4. Chill

Refrigerate the drink for approximately 30 minutes.

Stir again before serving.

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Serving

Fill tall glasses with ice.

Pour the chilled orange blossom drink over the ice.

Garnish with:

• A thin orange slice
• Fresh mint
• A few edible orange blossom petals, if available

Serve immediately.

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Lebanese Orange Blossom & Lemon Cooler

For a brighter summer version, use:

• 3 cups cold water
• 1 cup fresh orange juice
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3–4 tablespoons sugar syrup
• 1 tablespoon orange blossom water
• Ice

Mix everything in a jug and chill well.

The fresh orange provides natural sweetness and citrus flavor, while the orange blossom water gives the drink its distinctive Middle Eastern aroma.

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Orange Blossom & Rose Drink

For a more aromatic version, combine:

• 4 cups cold water
• 3 tablespoons sugar syrup
• 1 tablespoon orange blossom water
• ½ teaspoon rose water
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Ice

The orange blossom should remain the dominant floral flavor, with just a small amount of rose water in the background.

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Restaurant-Style Presentation

For an elegant Lebanese café presentation:

1. Chill the glasses beforehand.
2. Fill them with large ice cubes.
3. Pour in the orange blossom drink.
4. Add a thin orange wheel.
5. Add a small mint sprig.
6. Finish with a few edible flower petals.

For an extra-cold drink, shake the prepared mixture with ice for a few seconds and strain it into a chilled glass.

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Important Tip

Use only food-grade orange blossom water intended for culinary use.

Different brands vary considerably in strength, so start with a small quantity and increase gradually.

The best orange blossom drink has a subtle floral perfume, not an overpowering fragrance.

Storage

Keep covered in the refrigerator and consume within 1–2 days for the freshest flavor.

Stir well before serving.