Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsMud Hen WaterUme Guava Recipe

Ume Guava Recipe

Inspired by Mud Hen Water
Time30m
Serves2

Make Ume Guava Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Ume-Guava Syrup

Assemble & Finish

Method

Ume-Guava Syrup

  1. 1

    Prepare guava

    Wash the guavas, quarter them and remove any large seeds. Roughly chop the guava flesh; measure about 2 cups of chopped guava (including some pulp).

  2. 2

    Cook fruit

    Place the chopped guava, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10–12 minutes, until the fruit is very soft and the liquid is fragrant and slightly thickened.

  3. 3

    Smash and strain

    Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to crush the guava against the side of the pan to release more juice and pulp. Remove from heat and let cool 5 minutes. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl, pressing gently with the back of a spoon to extract as much purée as possible. Discard seeds and skins left in the sieve.

  4. 4

    Finish with ume and acid

    Return the strained guava purée (should yield about 1 to 1 1/4 cups) to the pan off the heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons umeboshi paste (or equivalent ume syrup) until fully incorporated; taste and add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice to balance sweetness if needed. If the syrup is too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons water to reach a pourable syrup consistency. Cool to room temperature.

  5. 5

    Optional: store

    Transfer the cooled syrup to a clean jar and refrigerate. It will keep 7–10 days refrigerated.

Assemble & Finish

  1. 6

    Prepare glassware

    Fill two tall glasses with ice (about 1 cup ice per glass). Add a fresh mint sprig and optional shiso leaf to each glass for aroma.

  2. 7

    Mix drink

    Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of the ume-guava syrup into each glass (adjust to taste). If making alcoholic versions, add 60 ml gin or sake to each glass now. Gently pour 1 cup cold club soda into each glass over the syrup and ice.

  3. 8

    Stir and finish

    Give each glass a gentle stir to combine syrup and soda without flattening the bubbles. Taste and adjust: add another tablespoon syrup for more sweetness/fruit, or a squeeze of lime/yuzu wedge for brightness.

  4. 9

    Garnish and serve

    Garnish with a lime or yuzu wedge on the rim and a small extra dollop of umeboshi (optional) or an additional shiso leaf for an aromatic finish. Serve immediately.

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