Fresh Lotus Leaf Winter Melon Job's Tears Sugar Cane Drink

Why people make this drink

In the height of summer — what the Chinese solar calendar calls “xiao shu” (minor heat) and “da shu” (major heat) — the combination of high temperatures and heavy humidity places considerable strain on the body. Traditional Chinese medicine identifies this dual assault of summer heat and dampness as a specific pattern that can drain the heart’s energy, trigger excessive sweating, and leave people feeling exhausted, heavy-headed, and nauseous. This cooling herbal drink was made precisely for these conditions. Fresh lotus leaf is the star ingredient: aromatic, light green, and powerfully heat-clearing. Combined with winter melon (cooked with the skin on, as the skin carries much of the cooling effect), mildly sweet sugar cane for natural hydration, and job’s tears for dampness-relieving support, the result is a pale, fragrant, gently sweet drink that is genuinely refreshing — not just as a concept, but in practice.

Method

1. Rinse the fresh lotus leaf and cut into large pieces. Set aside — do not add yet.
2. Cut the winter melon into chunks, keeping the skin on.
3. Soak the job’s tears for at least 30 minutes; drain.
4. Split the sugar cane sections open lengthwise.
5. Place the winter melon, job’s tears and sugar cane into a pot with 2.4 L of water. Bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
7. Add the fresh lotus leaf pieces and simmer for a further 10 minutes. The drink is ready when it has reduced to about 1.2–1.5 L.
8. Serve warm or at room temperature. The whole family can drink this.

Nourilo’s Tips

Fresh lotus leaf is the ideal choice here — its heat-clearing effect is stronger and the colour of the drink will be a lovely fresh green. If you can only find dried lotus leaf, it works well too. The full Chinese solar term period of “xiao shu” to “da shu” (roughly mid-July to mid-August) is when this drink is most beneficial. Do not forget: if you are pregnant, swap the job’s tears for adzuki beans (chi xiao dou) — same clearing effect, pregnancy-friendly.