Barley Water Recipe

Indulge in a taste of royalty with this historic Barley Water recipe, straight from a cookbook used in Princess Elizabeth's household! This refreshing beverage, adored by the royal family, is surprisingly simple to make. Using organic lemons and oranges (for the best flavor and to avoid chemical residues) this recipe delivers a subtly sweet and delightfully tart drink perfect for any occasion. Learn the secrets to this beloved drink and impress your friends and family with a piece of royal history!

Prep Time 25 mins
Cook Time 75 mins
Calories 94.4 kcal
Protein 4g
Rating 5.0 (4 Reviews)
Barley Water 41

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Barley Water

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How to Make Barley Water

  1. Rinse 1/2 cup pearl barley thoroughly under cold water.
  2. Place rinsed barley in a large saucepan.
  3. Pour 6 cups of boiling water over the barley. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
  4. While the barley simmers, thoroughly wash 1 lemon and 3 oranges. Soak in a vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 3 parts water) for 15 minutes, then rinse under very hot water. Juice the fruits, reserving the rinds.
  5. Once the barley has simmered for an hour, strain the barley water through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, discarding the barley.
  6. Add the rinds of 1 lemon and 3 oranges to the barley water.
  7. Add 1 cup of granulated sugar (adjust to your sweetness preference).
  8. Allow the mixture to sit and cool completely (approximately 2-3 hours).
  9. Strain the liquid again through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the fruit rinds.
  10. Stir in the reserved lemon and orange juice.
  11. Transfer the Barley Water to a pitcher or bottle. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

0 g

Sugar

38g

Fat

0g

Carbs

7g

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