How to Make Barley Water at Home

Tap to Read ➤ Sailee Kale

One of the most refreshing drinks, barley water is also healthy and nutritious. Easy to make at home, this drink can be consumed by both adults and children on a regular basis.

Barley is one of the most commonly used grains all over the world. It is used to make bread and is a vital ingredient in whole grain cereal foods and nutritional supplements.

The seeds are germinated for use in distilled beverages like beer. In Europe and US, it's used extensively as animal fodder. Its roasted seeds are used to make barley tea in China, Japan and Korea, and widely consumed for its caffeine-free property as a substitute for tea and coffee.

Due to its immense health benefits, barley water has been consumed by people since time immemorial. It is so famous in Britain that it's the official drink served to tennis players at Wimbledon! Have you ever tried making this incredibly simple drink at home? All you really need are two ingredients; barley and water.

Homemade Barley Water Recipe

Things Required: 1 cup barley 3 pints water Freshly squeezed lemon juice Salt and sugar, as per taste

Procedure: In a large pot, add the water and barley, and bring the mixture to boil. When the water begins to boil, lower the heat and let it simmer till the level of water is reduced to half. Check once in a while, or the water may completely evaporate!

Once the desired level is reached, turn off the heat and let the mixture cool. Once it reaches room temperature, strain the mixture using a sieve and add salt and sugar. Also, add the lemon juice and stir well. Your drink is ready to be served!

Recipe Variations

✔ Barley water can taste bland unless you add lemon juice, salt, and sugar. You can also add a few drops of honey to the mixture as an alternative.

✔ Other options are to add grated ginger or ½ an inch of cinnamon stick to the boiling water to impart some flavor to the drink. Crushed/chopped mint leaves is a good alternative. Another unusual way is to add freshly squeezed orange juice (take 2 oranges) to the barley water for a refreshing citrus drink. Cucumber juice is another popular flavoring agent.

✔ If you are a real health freak, use Demerara sugar (also called turbinado or brown sugar) instead of white sugar; it is a healthier alternative.

✔ The barley remains that are left after the mixture is strained, can also be used to make porridge and as a thickening agent in a variety of casseroles, soups, and stews.

✔ If the barley water is intended for babies, you may omit the sugar and lemon juice if you want. Never add honey to barley water that is meant for babies. Honey can cause botulism in infants. Barley water is beneficial for infants as it is extremely easy to digest, it can be started off just before you introduce your little one to solids.

✔ Usually hulled or pearl barley is used, but before you use the barley, wash it well. Take a mid-sized pot, and add the barley seeds to it. Add water. Gently wash the barley and swirl it around a few times, repeat this twice. ✔ Barley water can be had warm or chilled, depending upon your taste.

✔ Barley water is extremely advantageous to your health. Warm barley water is an effective remedy to treat sore throat and cough. It is gentle on the stomach and often prescribed for patients suffering from cystitis. Regular consumption of barley water is said to prevent kidney stones.

It is better to make barley water yourself at home than buying a packet off the shelf, because it will contain much less sugar and additives as compared to packaged foods. Making barley, or barley water, a part of your daily diet is a natural and safe way to increase appetite, and bid adieu to a host of diseases.