Tamarind Cooler

Tamarind Cooler looks liked iced tea, and takes just a little more effort to make. this is citric, sweet-tart drink. Garnish with fresh mint.

Ingredients:

1                -  lb. whole tamarind pods

2                -  quarts water

1 to 1 1/3  -  cups of sugar 

Hot water

Procedures:

• Cover tamarind pods with hot water. Let stand 5 minutes; drain. Rinse and drain. Remove pods, stems and strings from tamarinds. Place tamarinds in to quarts water. Let stand 4 hours; drain, reserving liquid.
• Press as much tamarind pulp as possible through sieve. Mix pulp, reserved liquid and the sugar. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Serve over ice if desired.

Good for 8 servings. (1 cup each) 

Book: Betty Crocker's Southwest Cooking