Jugo de Tamarindo

Ingredients

Tamarind pods

1 cup, shelled and pitted

Water

4 cups, divided

Granulated sugar

1/2 cup (adjust to taste)

Ice

as needed for serving

Instructions

1. Rinse the tamarind pods under cold water, removing the shells and discarding any hard shells.
2. In a medium pot, combine the tamarind pulp with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Once the mixture has simmered, remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes.
4. Using your hands, separate the tamarind pulp from the seeds, ensuring that only the pulp remains.
5. Strain the tamarind mixture into a large pitcher using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, pressing down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
6. Add the remaining 2 cups of water to the pitcher, along with the sugar. Stir well until the sugar is completely dissolved.
7. Taste the juice and adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar if desired.
8. Serve the Jugo de Tamarindo over ice for a refreshing experience, garnished with a slice of lime if you wish.