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!
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.
Glad to do so!
I’ve never tried Barley Water. What is it for?
Refreshing cold drink in hot weather and excellent for clearing our internal water pipes! Read bladder & kidneys.
Thanks for sharing!
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.
Nancy, we were drinking it long before that!
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.
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.
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
Yes, the secret is in the barley! 😉
Oh this takes me right back to about 60 years ago. My mom used to make this on a regular basis. We loved it. 🙂 Thanks for the memories.
Maybe you will be tempted to make again for old times sake!
Miracle stuff if you get cystitis! Thank you for the recipe for home made stuff, never really trust the shop bought with all its sugar/ sweeteners. 🙂
Yes, and the hidden sweetners cannot be good for us. Making it from scratch, we can flavour it to suit our own taste!