Qamar Al-Din (Qamar Al-Deen) is a Middle Eastern apricot juice prepared with apricot paste. To make this delicious apricot nectar, the paste is diluted in hot water and then blended with sugar. Once chilled, the result is a refreshing fruity apricot drink that is bursting with the flavor of fresh apricots!
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Many years ago, I shared a recipe for making apricot fruit rollups. In the Middle East, this fruit leather is called Qamardeen (قمر الدين). The word "qamar" means "moon" and "deen" means faith. This tasty treat comes from Ghouta, a region located in southwestern Syria, near the capital city of Damascus.
Qamardeen is also used to make an apricot pudding called Muhallabia, similar to Muhallebi. At some point, someone had the brilliant idea to dilute this delicious apricot fruit paste in boiling water, along with sugar, to create this delightful Middle Eastern drink called Qamar al-Din.
This apricot juice is often served during the month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, consuming two meals a day: Suhoor is the pre-dawn meal, enjoyed before beginning their daily fast. Qamar al-Din is often served at Iftar, the meal which breaks the fast before sunset.
As Assyrian Christians, my family did not observe Ramadan, but I do remember hearing the early morning call for Suhoor. I also recall indulging in the thick, sweet, and tangy strips of apricot leather, used to make this popular Middle Eastern apricot drink!
And if you want to take it a step further, add a little rum and turn it into a yummy apricot cocktail. Thanks to my friend, Sarah, for that great suggestion, it was sooo good!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Qamar al-Din is a wonderful drink with a unique flavor!
- Serve this apricot drink with a Middle Eastern meal for an authentic Middle Eastern dining experience.
- Kids and adults alike will love this tasty apricot nectar.
- You can make ½ of the recipe so that you can enjoy some of the qamardeen (apricot paste) as is.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Qamardeen: You'll need one package of apricot fruit leather to make a pitcher of apricot nectar. I make mine with both fresh apricots and dried apricots, but you can find this apricot paste in any Middle Eastern store or on Amazon, which is what I used in this recipe.
- Sugar: The amount of sugar can be adjusted based on preference. Another option is to not add sugar and allow your guests to add their sweeteners of choice. Honey, for example, can add a natural sweetness that some may prefer over sugar. Or use a no-calorie sweetener instead!
- Water: Five cups of boiling water, more or less based on how strong you want the flavor to be.
- Optional: Orange blossom water and lemon juice can be added to enhance the flavor of the apricot juice.
- Garnish: You can garnish the Qamar al-Din with a sprig of fresh mint.
How to Make Apricot Nectar (Qamar Al-Din)
Step 1: Unwrap apricot paste and cut it into small squares using kitchen shears. Add to a large pitcher, bowl, or measuring cup.
Step 2: Boil five cups of water, then pour it over the apricot paste. Add ½ cup sugar. Stir and allow the paste to soften and partially dissolve in the hot water for approximately one hour. Add lemon juice and orange blossom water (if using).
Step 3: Add lemon juice and orange blossom water (optional), then use an immersion blender to blend the apricot juice until smooth.
Pro Tip: Similar to orange juice, some prefer their apricot nectar with pulp, and some prefer it pulp-free. If this is you, simply strain the apricot mixture through a fine mesh strainer after blending it.
Step 3: Pour qamar al-din into a pitcher and taste to see if it needs more sugar. Once satisfied with the taste, refrigerate until ready to serve.
Step 4: To serve, add ice cubes to a tall glass, then pour chilled apricot nectar into the glass and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint. You can also serve it as is!
What readers are saying
This was like sunshine in a glass. It deserves a beautiful glass and a bendy straw and an umbrella!
-Sarah
Recipe FAQs
Qamar Al-Din is an apricot nectar made with apricot paste. The paste originates from the Levant region, particularly Syria, which is famous for its apricots and for producing high-quality Qamar al-Din.
Chop dried apricot leather (Qamardeen) into squares and pour hot water over it. Allow it to sit for a few hours, then pour into a blender along with sugar and blend until smooth. Orange blossom water, rose water, and lemon juice can also be added to enhance the flavor.
Dried apricot paste is a delicious fruit leather that can be enjoyed as a wonderful, fruity snack. However, it can also be dissolved to make apricot juice (Qama al-Din) and apricot pudding (Muhallabia).
Pro Tips
- If you find the juice to be too strong, simply dilute it with additional cold water.
- Some people like to garnish their drink with roasted pine nuts for added texture and a hint of nuttiness. I prefer mine without.
- The sugar can be adjusted based on your preference. I added ½ cup of sugar, but you can add up to 1 cup or as little as ⅓ cup.
More Middle Eastern Recipes
If you enjoy this Middle Eastern apricot juice recipe, check out these other Middle Eastern recipes!
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Recipe
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Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Unwrap apricot paste and cut it into small squares using kitchen shears. Add to a large pitcher, bowl, or measuring cup.
- Boil five cups of water, then pour it over the apricot paste. Add ½ cup sugar. Stir and allow the paste to soften and partially dissolve in the hot water for approximately one hour. Add lemon juice and orange blossom water (if using).
- Pour qamar al-din into a pitcher and taste to see if it needs more sugar. Once satisfied with the taste, refrigerate until ready to serve.
- To serve, add ice cubes to a tall glass, then pour chilled apricot nectar into the glass and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint. You can also serve it as is!
Nutrition
Notes
- Similar to orange juice, some prefer their apricot nectar with pulp and some prefer it pulp-free. If this is you, simply strain the apricot mixture through a fine mesh strainer after blending it.
- If you find the juice to be too strong, simply dilute it with additional cold water.
- Some people like to garnish their drink with roasted pine nuts for added texture and a hint of nuttiness. I prefer mine without.
- The sugar can be adjusted based on your preference. I added ½ cup of sugar but you can add up to 1 cup or as little as ⅓ cup.
Teresa Evers says
I was pleasantly surprised with this delicious beverage . It was sweet but not over the top. I found it to be refreshing and delightful. And my friend Sarah has a great idea by adding rum make it a tasty adult beverage.
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you, Teresa! I'm so glad you liked it, and yes, I already tried it with rum, and it was so good!
Sarah says
This was like sunshine in a glass. It deserves a beautiful glass and a bendy straw and an umbrella!
Hilda Sterner says
Haha, thanks, Sarah, even better with some rum added. 😜
Kelly Methey says
This drink is fantastic! I had it for the first time over the weekend and I can’t stop thinking of it, it’s that good!
I have never been a fan of fruity drinks but this one has changed my mind! It was so tasty and refreshing, especially when eating chips and salsa. Wow! It was so delicious! Thanks Hilda for expanding my culinary world!
Hilda Sterner says
So glad you enjoyed it, Kelly! Thanks for the review. 🙂
Kathy Fisher says
Liquid perfection. So refreshing. So good. All of us foodies absolutely loved it. It's a terrific recipe for an apricot drink. I loved that it didn't have the pulp and thickness of most apricot drinks. I can't imagine anyone would not prefer this over all others. It's delicious. Thanks Hilda for this great recipe.
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you, faithful foodie, for your wonderful review! 😘