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Ingredients
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Apricot Concentrate
To Serve (per 1 L batch)
Method
Apricot Concentrate
Rinse and soak
Rinse the dried apricots under cold water to remove any dust. Place them in a heatproof bowl and pour 600 ml of just-boiled or very hot water over them. Cover and let soak 30–45 minutes, until plump and softened.
Simmer
Transfer the soaked apricots and their soaking liquid to a medium saucepan. Add the granulated sugar and the pinch of sea salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, then reduce heat and simmer very gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apricots are tender and sugar is dissolved.
Blend
Let the apricot mixture cool slightly (5–10 minutes) so it is warm but not scalding. Transfer to a blender and add the lemon juice. Blend on high until completely smooth, 1–2 minutes. If you prefer a thinner concentrate, add up to 50 ml additional soaking water and pulse again.
Strain
Pour the blended apricot purée through a fine-mesh sieve or chinois into a bowl, using the back of a spoon or spatula to press through as much liquid and pulp as possible. Discard the solids (or save for baking or yogurt topping). Taste the strained concentrate and adjust sweetness or acidity: add up to 15–30 g more sugar if needed, or another 5–10 ml lemon juice for brightness, stirring until incorporated.
Cool and store
Allow the concentrate to cool to room temperature, then transfer to a sterilized bottle or jar and refrigerate. The concentrate will keep 7–10 days refrigerated or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
To Serve
Mixing ratio: For a ready-to-drink Amar al-Din apricot juice, dilute the concentrate with cold water at a ratio of about 1:2.8–1:3 by volume (concentrate : water). For the quantities above (roughly 700–750 ml concentrate yield), combine 250 ml concentrate with 700 ml cold water to make approximately 950–1,000 ml drink. Adjust to taste—use more concentrate for a richer, sweeter drink or more water for a lighter beverage.
Variations and notes: To make a sparkling version, substitute cold sparkling water for still water at the same dilution. For adult cocktails, add a splash (30–45 ml) of vodka or arak per glass. If the concentrate is very thick, thin with a little of the reserved soaking liquid or simple syrup when mixing.