Imperata Root, Sugarcane, Water Chestnut and Corn Water

Why people make this drink

In the heat of summer we sweat a lot, and if we don’t drink enough the urine can turn scanty and dark — a discomfort that bothers active kids most of all. Nourilo likes this one because store-bought drinks are usually loaded with sugar, while a homemade pot of imperata-root, sugarcane, water-chestnut and corn water is clear, naturally sweet, and gentle. It is traditionally enjoyed to clear summer heat and keep things flowing comfortably.

Method

1. Rinse the imperata root well.
2. Rinse the sugarcane, cut into sections and split each in half.
3. Peel the water chestnuts; husk the corn and cut into chunks; peel and slice the carrot.
4. Put everything in a pot with 2.1–2.4 L of water and simmer about 45 minutes down to 0.9–1.2 L.
5. Add a little rock sugar to taste if desired, and serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

This drink is also a friend to people prone to gout, who benefit from cooling, urination-supporting drinks day to day, traditionally thought to ease joint flare-ups. For outdoor summer days you can also brew a barley-lemon-rock-sugar water, which is traditionally enjoyed to help guard against heat exhaustion.