Food Monday ~ Nana’s Barley Water

I was asked to share this recipe, I promised to do so last Monday, but alas, I missed the date.  I apologise for the delay.
Nana’s Barley Water
approx 2 litres

1 light cup Pearl barley –6 to 8 ounces
2 litres water, more or less depending on how thick you want it.
Juice of 1-2 lemons.
Honey or sugar, to taste*

Rinse barley. Put it in a large soup pot with the water.

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer for at least an hour, until the grains are cooked and softened. Add more water if needed.

Strain the liquid and add honey/sugar and lemon, to taste. Cool refrigerate. Use within three to four days.

The finished drink will be cloudy and settle when stored in the fridge, Stir before pouring and drinking.

*Cranberry juice, can be used to flavour the Barley water.

NB: Avoid cranberry juice or extracts if you’re taking warfarin, Cranberry juice can make the effects of warfarin more potent, so there’s a risk of excessive bleeding.

Note: Mammy was known as Nana once the grandchildren arrived!

15 thoughts on “Food Monday ~ Nana’s Barley Water

  1. rummuser

    Standard fare when we were kids and we did not have refrigerators then. So, what was cooked was polished off the same day. You have brought back some long forgotten memories. Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Grannymar Post author

      Refreshing cold drink in hot weather and excellent for clearing our internal water pipes! Read bladder & kidneys.

      Reply
  2. nrhatch

    I first heard of Barley Water while watching Jane and Michael Banks sing about what they hoped for in a nanny. The result ~> Mary Poppins flew in on the next breeze.

    Reply
  3. SchmidleysScribblins

    Thanks for the tip about cranberry juice. I drink it sometimes and I take a blood thinner. Will ask my doc if there’s a conflict when I see him next week. And thanks for your concern about David.

    Reply
    1. Grannymar Post author

      Dianne, I know Cranberry juice interferes with warfarin, I am on a different blood thinner and it says nothing about the danger, but I am watchful! Glad the David was not badly injured. accidents are a worry at any time, but as we age it can become more complicated.

      Reply
  4. wisewebwoman

    This explains something. GM – whenever we had waterworks problem as children my mum would make this incredible Scotch Broth – this was loaded with pearl barley 😛

    I must make it soon.

    XO
    WWW

    Reply
    1. Grannymar Post author

      Yes, and the hidden sweetners cannot be good for us. Making it from scratch, we can flavour it to suit our own taste!

      Reply

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