{"id":"recipe_1778f5b872","slug":"soumada-traditional-almond-syrup-drink","title":"Soumada (Traditional Almond Syrup Drink)","description":"A fragrant and refreshing Mediterranean almond syrup, traditionally served at weddings and celebrations. This creamy, white cordial is mixed with ice-cold water for a perfect summer beverage.","serves":50,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":60,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g sweet almonds, blanched and peeled","name":"Almonds","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"blanched and peeled","notes":"sweet variety","group":"Almond Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"50g bitter almonds","name":"Almonds","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.8,"usUnit":"oz","form":"whole","notes":"provides the characteristic aroma","group":"Almond Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1kg granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":1,"unit":"kg","usQuantity":2.2,"usUnit":"lb","form":"granulated","notes":"extra fine preferred","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1.5 liters water","name":"Water","quantity":1.5,"unit":"l","usQuantity":"6 1/3","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"divided use","group":"Syrup","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 tablespoons rosewater or orange blossom water","name":"Orange Blossom Water","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"or orange blossom water","group":"Aromatics","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Place the sweet and bitter almonds in a blender or food processor with 500ml (2 1/8 cups) of the water. Pulse until the almonds are finely ground and the mixture looks like a thick, milky paste.","group":"Extraction","title":"Place the sweet and bitter almonds","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Extraction"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Pour the almond paste into a large bowl and add the remaining 1 liter (4 1/4 cups) of water. Let it soak for about 15 minutes to extract the flavor.","group":"Extraction","title":"Pour the almond paste","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Extraction"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Strain the mixture through a very fine cheesecloth or a nut milk bag into a heavy-bottomed pot. Squeeze the cloth very hard to extract every bit of the almond milk. Discard the almond pulp (or save it for baking).","group":"Extraction","title":"Strain the mixture through a very fine cheesecloth or a nut milk bag","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Extraction"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add the sugar to the pot with the almond milk. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves. Simmer for 20-25 minutes at 100°C (212°F) until the mixture thickens into a syrup. Skim any foam that rises to the surface.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the sugar to the pot","timerMinutes":25,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Remove from heat and stir in the rosewater. Allow the syrup to cool completely before transferring to sterilized glass bottles.","group":"Finishing","title":"Remove from heat","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"Always use a mix of sweet and bitter almonds for the authentic depth of flavor. If bitter almonds are unavailable, a high-quality almond extract can be used. Serve diluted with 1 part syrup to 4 parts chilled water or soda water.","cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek","Cypriot"]},"course":["sauce"],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer"],"equipment":["Blender","Cheesecloth","Large pot","Glass bottles"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","dairy_free","gluten_free"],"allergens":["tree_nuts"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":2.5,"unit":"l","note":"concentrated syrup"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The syrup can be made weeks in advance and stored in the refrigerator."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in airtight glass bottles in a cool, dark place or refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Serve cold; do not reheat."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_1778f5b872%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=9e5a1195-1503-43b3-82c2-21d3475a5e37","imageAlt":"Soumada (Traditional Almond Syrup Drink) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["almond","syrup","drink","mediterranean","greek","traditional","refreshing"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Soumada (Traditional Almond Syrup Drink)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T02:18:17.892Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T02:18:17.892Z","related":[{"id":"ac_l_ezme_d064be0373","slug":"acili-ezme","title":"Acılı Ezme","description":"A classic Turkish spicy vegetable salad and condiment featuring finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, and onions, balanced with the tang of pomegranate molasses and aromatic herbs.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["sauce","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","nut_free","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fac_l_ezme_d064be0373%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ac6fc624-4435-4cfa-9991-d45441036707","imageAlt":"Acılı Ezme — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","dip","vegetable","healthy","turkish","mezze"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":14,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_2a8e5a87b3","slug":"fresh-mediterranean-lemonade","title":"Fresh Mediterranean Lemonade","description":"A refreshing and classic Mediterranean-style lemonade made with freshly squeezed lemons, simple syrup, and cold water. Perfect for summer gatherings.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Greek"]},"course":["sauce"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2a8e5a87b3%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0c31f43d-1226-4728-8afc-7859baa17251","imageAlt":"Fresh Mediterranean Lemonade — recipe cover","tags":["lemonade","refreshing","citrus","cold drink","mediterranean"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":5},{"id":"haydari_3fdc2dc492","slug":"haydari","title":"Haydari","description":"A thick, creamy Turkish meze made with strained yogurt, feta cheese, fresh dill, and fragrant mint-infused olive oil. This refreshing sauce is perfect for dipping warm pita or serving alongside grilled meats.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":5,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Mediterranean","specific":["Turkish"]},"course":["sauce","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","low_carb","keto","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fhaydari_3fdc2dc492%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=6cada5cf-05cb-4e7c-8a86-c67d84d8fecf","imageAlt":"Haydari — recipe cover","tags":["dip","yogurt","turkish","meze","healthy","keto","vegetarian","easy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5}]}