Tamarind Iced Tea

A glass of Tamarind tea with fresh mint leaves decoration.

5 from 1 vote

Tamarin tea is a refreshing Indonesian iced drink made from tangy tamarind, lightly sweetened and served ice-cold—perfect for hot summer days. Known locally as asam jawa drink, it’s loved for its bold sweet-sour flavor that cools you down instantly.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Indonesian, Thailand

Diet: Gluten Free, Halal

Servings: people

Calories: 126kcal

Author: Claudia

Ingredients

40 gr tamarind paste
125 gr palm sugar
1 pinch salt
1000 ml water
1 stalk fresh mint leaves

Instructions

Add the tamarind paste, palm sugar (or coconut/brown sugar), salt, and water to a small pot. Heat over medium heat.
Bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar and tamarind fully dissolve. Turn off the heat and let the tamarind tea cool to room temperature.
Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer to remove any tamarind bits or debris. (Optional: strain twice if you want it extra smooth.)
Lightly crush the fresh mint leaves in a serving glass or jar to release the aroma. Add ice cubes, pour in the cooled tamarin tea, and serve right away. Enjoy!

Notes

Adjust the sweet–sour balance – Tamarind can vary in strength, so always taste after simmering. Add more sugar for sweetness or a splash of water if it’s too tangy.
Don’t boil too aggressively – A gentle simmer is enough. Boiling too hard can dull the fresh, bright flavor of the tamarind.
Let it cool before adding ice – Cooling the tea first prevents the ice from melting too quickly and watering down the flavor.
Lightly bruise the mint, don’t shred it – Gently crushing the leaves releases aroma without turning the drink bitter.
Strain well for a smoother drink – For the cleanest texture, strain once or twice to remove fine tamarind fibers.
Make it ahead – The tamarind tea base can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for 2–3 days. Just add mint and ice when ready to serve.

Nutrition