Lemongrass, Lemon & Job's Tears Drink

Why people make this drink

On a sweltering summer day when nobody feels like eating and the air is heavy and humid, a glass of this lemongrass and lemon drink cuts through the torpor beautifully. The lemongrass brings an aromatic, herbal citrus note — you can smell the fragrance the moment you cut into a fresh stalk. The lemon provides brightness and a shot of vitamin C (especially needed in summer when sweating depletes it); and Job’s tears adds a mild, starchy body while quietly supporting the spleen and helping the body manage its fluid balance. Together they address what Chinese medicine recognises as the core challenge of humid summer weather: accumulated heat and dampness that sap the appetite and make the body feel heavy and sluggish.

Method

1. Soak and rinse the Job’s tears.
2. Wash the lemongrass stalks and slice thinly.
3. Wash the lemon and slice into rounds (do not peel).
4. In a pot, combine the Job’s tears and lemongrass with 1.8–2.1 L of water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 40 minutes.
5. Add rock sugar and stir until dissolved.
6. Turn off the heat. Add the fresh lemon slices. Cover and steep for 10 minutes before serving.
7. Can be served warm or refrigerated and served cold.

Nourilo’s Tips

This drink is fragrant and delicious, suitable for all ages, and tastes equally good chilled. One important note: pregnant women should not use Job’s tears — they can drink a simpler version made with just the lemongrass and lemon.