If you enjoy sweet and sour flavors, you will love my sweet and tangy Tamarind Syrup! You can use it to make Tamarind Juice, Tamarind Margaritas, cocktails, and Soy Tamarind Sauce.
In this tamarind syrup post, we'll make a delicious syrup by boiling the tamarind paste in water and straining it to get to the yummy paste. Then we'll mix the paste with sugar and cook it down to make our delicious tamarind syrup. This syrup can be used to make all kinds of delicious tamarind recipes!
Tamarind can be bought in pods in the produce section of most grocery stores, but especially in Middle Eastern Markets. It is also compressed in blocks and labeled as "tamarind paste."
The paste contains fibers and seeds which need to be separated from the edible paste. This was one of my favorite childhood treats in Iraq. Right up there with Qamardeen, an apricot paste used to make a delicious apricot nectar called Qamar Al-Din! So if you love tangy flavors, you'll love tamarind syrup!
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🍯 How to Make Tamarind Syrup
Step 1: Unwrap the tamarind paste and cut it in half. Rewrap and store one-half for later use. Cut the remaining tamarind into chunks, place it in a pot, and cover it with six cups of water.
Step 2: Place three dried limes on a cutting board, and crush with a mallet. The seeds taste bitter, so sort through the pieces of dried limes, and discard the seeds.
Step 3: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat then simmer on low for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Carefully pour the liquid through a strainer, placed over a large enough bowl to hold the liquid. Use a spoon or a spatula to push the pulp through the strainer.
Step 5: Scrape the tamarind pulp from the bottom of the strainer, and mix it into the liquid in the bowl.
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Step 6: Rinse the pot that was used to boil the tamarind mixture in, then pour the strained liquid back in. Whisk in four cups of sugar.
Step 7: Stir the mixture until it comes to a boil. Reduce the temperature, and simmer for 30 minutes. Pour the tamarind syrup into a large mason jar, and store it in the refrigerator.
What People Are Saying
This Tamarind Syrup makes a refreshing drink over ice. It’s packed with flavor, not too sweet, I don’t care for sweet drinks. This one has just the right amount of sweetness. Thank you Hilda for sharing your amazing recipes.
—Teresa
🍽 How to Serve Tamarind Syrup
Mix three tablespoons of the tamarind concentrate into a glass of ice water, and stir until the syrup completely dissolves. Feel free to add more syrup if you prefer. Enjoy!
Another option is to mix the tamarind syrup into soda water or La Croix for a fizzy drink.
Tamarind Syrup is also perfect for cocktails. For example, you can make a Tamarind Whisky Sour by mixing tamarind syrup with bourbon, and fresh lime juice. Here's a tamarind Whisky Sour recipe you can try!
🤷🏻♀️ Recipe FAQs
The 
You may not realize it, but tamarind is used to make a variety of drinks. In fact, my favorite margarita flavor is "Tamarindo." I also love the tamarindo-flavored Jarritos Mexican soft drink.
In the Middle East, it is used to make a tamarind syrup concentrate that's diluted with ice water to make Tamarind Juice.
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- Tamarind gives food a hard-to-duplicate, distinct tamarind flavor. It can be purchased in a variety of forms.
- Fresh tamarind pods are readily available in most ethnic markets. Many stores carry the dried tamarind pods in the spice section.
- The dried pods need to be rehydrated in warm water. Once softened, the shell and stringy parts are discarded, and the dark paste is retained for eating or cooking.
- You also have the option of purchasing the paste ready to eat. I prefer the paste because it's more convenient to use, and I lack patience!
🍒 Related Recipes
📖 Recipe
Sweet and Tangy Tamarind Syrup
Ingredients
- ½ lb. tamarind paste
- 6 cups water
- 3 dried limes (optional)
- 4 cups sugar
Instructions
- Unwrap the tamarind paste and cut it in half. Rewrap and store one half for later use. Cut the remaining tamarind into chunks, place it in a pot, and cover it with six cups of water.
- Place three dried limes on a cutting board, and crush with a mallet. The seeds taste bitter, so sort through the pieces of dried limes, and discard the seeds.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat then simmer on low for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Carefully pour the liquid through a strainer that's placed over a large enough bowl to hold the liquid. Use a spoon or a spatula to push the pulp through the strainer.
- Scrape the tamarind pulp from the bottom of the strainer, and mix it into the liquid in the bowl.
- Rinse the pot that was used to boil the tamarind mixture in, then pour the strained liquid back in. Whisk in four cups of sugar.
- Stir the mixture until it comes to a boil. Reduce the temperature, and simmer for 30 minutes. Pour the tamarind syrup into a large mason jar, and store it in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Tamarind gives food a hard to duplicate, distinct tamarind flavor. It can be purchased in a variety of forms.
- Fresh tamarind pods are readily available in most ethnic markets. Many stores carry the dried tamarind pods in the spice section.
- The dried pods need to be rehydrated in warm water. Once softened, the shell and stringy parts are discarded, and the dark paste is retained for eating or cooking with.
- You also have the option of purchasing the paste ready to eat. I prefer the paste because it's more convenient to use, and I lack patience!
Teresa Evers says
This Tamarind Syrup makes a refreshing drink over ice. It’s packed with flavor, not too sweet, I don’t care for sweet drinks. This one has just the right amount of sweetness. Thank you Hilda for sharing your amazing recipes.
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Teresa, I couldn't agree more!
Kelly Methey says
This syrup makes a delicious and refreshing drink that is so flavorful and unique. It is perfect for an afternoon pick me up or with a snack or meal. I enjoyed it very much. The pods are interesting, I have learned so much from Hilda and her blog. She certainly has expanded my food and drink realm!
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Kelly! I'm glad that I can teach you a thing or two. I should have been a teacher because I really enjoy sharing information with my readers. Especially food-related info!
Laura says
I cannot say enough good about this drink and recipe. I absolutely love it!! It's the perfect combination of tangy to sweet. My new favorite drink! Added bonus is It's low in calories!! Be sure to try it! You won't be disappointed.
Hilda Sterner says
I'm right there with you, Laura! Definitely one of my favorite drinks! Thank you for the review!
Kathy Fisher says
This is a wonderful drink, absolutely delicious. I just checked out the health benefits of tamarind online. Very impressive. It would be a refreshing drink to serve guests. It's a 5 star recipe.
Hilda Sterner says
So glad you enjoyed it. Next time, tamarind margaritas!
Vresh says
What's the shelf life?
Hilda Sterner says
I store it in the fridge and it has lasted around 3 months. It could last longer probably, if it doesn't get used within 3 months. Eventually, the sugar will crystalize, so it is better to use it within the 3 month period.