A floral and refreshing Middle Eastern drink inspired from Lebanon, Jallab is made with date molasses, a touch of rose water and topped with pine nuts.
About Jallab Drink
Let us take a culinary adventure through our pallets and taste the Middle East with a refreshing and simple drink called jallab.
Jallab is slightly sweet non-alcoholic Lebanese drink that is served chilled with minimal ingredients. The primary ingredients are date molasses and rose water and garnished with pine nuts or almonds.
I've enjoyed it a number of times at a favorite Lebanese restaurant and the combination of the floral notes and slightly sweet molasses, works so well with the savory flavors of Mediterranean cuisine.
📋 Ingredients in Jallab
- Date Molasses: Date molasses is a thick slightly sweet syrup made from dates. Date molasses is becoming more popular in grocery stores and can be found bear the honey and other sweetness, as well as Mediterranean stores and online.
- Rose Water: Rose water is one of my favorite ingredients and a little goes a very long way! You can find rosewater in Mediterranean stores and online.
- Honey: optional for added sweetness
- Toasted pine nuts or Slivered almonds to garnish the jallab drink with.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
🍯 What is Date Molasses?
- Also called silan is the syrup of choice here. You can usually find it in most grocery stores near the syrups as well as International/Middle Eastern markets. Here is a link for the date molasses that we use and you can order it online.
- The flavor of the molasses is dark and with caramel notes, yet not overly sweet.
- Date molasses is also great in savory dishes, such as my Chicken with Dates recipe or drizzled over halloumi fries.
🌹 More About Rose Water
Rose water is the other main ingredient in jallab and what gives the refreshing drink it's signature slightly floral flavor.
Whenever you are cooking or making a recipe with rose water, a little goes a long way, so use sparingly. Rose water is has a perfumed aroma and is very floral. Though, if you are heavy handed, rose water can turn a lovely fragrant flavor into a soapy mess. Start small and gradually add more teaspoons if desired.
You can often find rose water in international and Middle Eastern markets and easily online as well.
If you are looking for other uses for rose water, try adding a few teaspoons to fresh fruit in a fruit rose tart or for a decadent treat, in these Persian donuts with saffron called Bamieh.
⏲️ How To Make Jallab
- In a tall glass, stir water, date molasses and rose water together. Fill with ice to keep the drink nice and chilled.
- Top jallab with toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds and if you prefer a bit more sweet, a drizzle of honey. But personally, I love how refreshing it is on its own.
📍 Recipe Tips
- If you are new to rose water, add a small amount at first, taste and add ¼ teaspoon more if you like a flavor. A little goes a long way.
- You only need a few tablespoons per jallab drink. Taste and add more if you prefer.
- Not traditional, but you can also top jallab with a splash fo sparkling water for added fizz.
- Slivered almonds are also traditional to top with instead of pine nuts.
- A splash of pomegranate juice would be a delicious addition as well.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, jallab is a healthy drink that is refreshing and has minimal ingredients.
Jallab is popular in several Middle Eastern countries including Syria, Egypt and Lebanon.
More Refreshing Drinks
Jallab Drink (Lebanese Drink with Date Molasses and Rose Water)
LittleFerraroKitchen.com
Ingredients
- 2-3 cups Water enough to fill your glass
- 2 tablespoons date molasses
- 1 teaspoon rose water
- 1 teaspoon honey optional, for extra sweetness
- Ice
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts toasted, optional
Instructions
- In a tall glass, add water, date molasses, rose water and honey if using and give it a good stir
- Fill with ice and top with pine nuts and serve immediately.
Notes
- Slivered almonds are also traditional to top with instead of pine nuts.
- A splash of pomegranate juice would be a delicious addition as well.
- f you are new to rose water, add a small amount at first, taste and add ¼ teaspoon more if you like a flavor. A little goes a long way.
- You only need a few tablespoons per jallab drink. Taste and add more if you prefer.
- Not traditional, but you can also top jallab with a splash fo sparkling water for added fizz.
In the Kitchen with Dinah says
This is such a refreshing unique drink. We found Date Molasses and Rose Water on amazon and the pine nuts are way cheaper online too.
marcello says
load me with med. recipes
Beth (OMG! Yummy) says
Wow - I can't wait to try this! Thanks for sharing over at Tasting Jerusalem. What a unique way to use the date syrup. Can't wait to see how it tastes paired with the rose water.
Samantha says
I hope you try it Beth..it's so good!
Zoe says
A beautiful and refreshing drink. Like the idea of adding rose water into this drink.
Lindsey@Lindselicious says
Oh I've never heard of this before. It sounds delish I like the little almonds in it too. Sounds like a good start to a date nite. =)
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
Samantha, this drink looks refreshing and delicious! I've never heard of it before!