EgyptianEgyptian Erk Soos (Licorice Drink)
Ground licorice root dampened with a little baking soda and water, rested, then filtered with cold water through a cloth until the drink is dark and foamy. Sweet without sugar and served cold.
Makes: About 1.5 liters, 6 glasses
- Prep:
- 5 minutes
- Cook:
- 0 minutes
- Waiting:
- 2 hours (Rest the damp licorice for 2 hours.)
Method
Read the full method before starting. Cooking times are guides; check texture and doneness as you cook.
Shows the steps one at a time, with a timer for each timed step.
Sharp knife and board
Measure, cut, and arrange every ingredient in order of use. Read the full method and keep finishing ingredients separate.
- 01
Moistening
5 minutesMix the ground licorice root with the baking soda in a bowl, sprinkle it with 100 ml of the water and rub it with your fingers until evenly damp, like wet sand.
Success cueEvenly damp with no dry patches.
- 02
Resting
2 hoursCover and leave for 2 hours until it darkens.
Success cueDarker and fragrant.
- 03
Filtering
10 minutesPut the licorice in a clean cloth over a large bowl and pour the remaining 1500 ml of cold water over it a little at a time, squeezing the cloth.
Success cueA brown liquid runs into the bowl.
- 04
Darkening
10 minutesPour the drink back through the licorice in the cloth 3 or 4 times, from a height, until it is dark and foamy.
Success cueDark brown with a thick beige foam.
- 05
Serving
2 minutesChill and serve cold with its foam.
Success cueCold, dark and foamy.
Watch outLicorice can raise blood pressure and lower potassium. Avoid it in pregnancy, with high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease, or with blood pressure or heart medicine, and keep to a glass a day.
PlateMap is still in testing. Quantities and results may vary with ingredients and equipment. Please check food safety yourself, especially with meat and poultry.
Cooking tips
The pinch of baking soda deepens the color and gives the thick foam that sellers are known for.
- • Use cold water only; hot water draws out a bitter taste.
- • Pour from a height when you pass it through the cloth again; that is what makes the foam.
Common mistakes
- • Using hot water, which makes the drink bitter.
- • Adding too much baking soda, which leaves a soapy taste.
- • Skipping the repeated pouring, so the drink is pale with no foam.
Substitutions
- • Instead of ground licorice root: licorice root sticks, crushed and soaked overnight in the water
- • Instead of baking soda: leave it out; the drink is paler with less foam
Serving ideasServe cold in tall glasses at iftar, a glass per person.
Potential allergens
Check ingredient labels
Compound ingredients vary by product; check labels and possible cross-contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is erk soos safe for everyone?
Licorice can raise blood pressure and lower potassium. Avoid it in pregnancy, with high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease, or with blood pressure or heart medicine, and keep to a glass a day.
Why add baking soda?
A small pinch deepens the color and makes the foam. Too much gives a soapy taste, so keep it to about half a teaspoon.
Does it need sugar?
No. Licorice root is naturally very sweet.
How long does it keep?
Up to 2 days in the fridge. It loses its foam and turns more bitter as it stands.
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