Lohusa Şerbeti (Red Sherbet for New Mothers)
لوہوسا شربتی (زچہ کے مہمانوں والا لال شربت)
When a baby is born in Turkey, visitors who come to congratulate the family are offered a small glass of lohusa şerbeti, a warm red sherbet scented with cloves and cinnamon. *Lohusa* means a woman in the weeks after giving birth, and the sherbet is part of the welcome, the way a box of mithai is in Pakistan. Families buy a special red sherbet sugar for it, but you can make it at home with sugar, spices and a little food colour.
- ⏱ Total: 17 min
- Prep: 2 min
- Cook: 15 min
- Easy
- Serves 8
Method
Tap a step when it is done.
Put the water, cloves and cinnamon in a , bring to a boil and simmer for 8–10 minutes until fragrant.
Add the sugar and red colour, stir until dissolved and simmer for 3 minutes more.
Stir in the lemon juice, remove the spices and serve warm in small glasses or cups.
Serve to guests warm; leftovers can be chilled and served cold.
Kitchen notes
It's traditionally served warm, but it's just as good cold in summer.
Use only a tiny pinch of colour; the aim is a clear ruby red.
Traditional beliefs say the sherbet helps a new mother; there's no medical evidence for this, so enjoy it as a welcome drink.
A drink for congratulations
In Turkey, the weeks after a birth bring a steady stream of visitors: relatives, neighbours and friends who come to see the baby and congratulate the mother. Each one is offered lohusa şerbeti, often in small glasses decorated with a red ribbon or tulle. The red colour is part of the tradition; red ribbons and red sherbet are linked with new mothers in Turkish custom.
What’s in it
Lohusa şerbeti is simple: water, sugar, cloves and cinnamon, coloured a bright red. In Turkish shops you can buy ready-made “lohusa şekeri”, red sugar crystals that already contain the spice and colour. At home, simmering the whole spices and adding a pinch of colour gives the same result.
For Pakistani occasions
It’s a lovely idea for an aqiqa, a chhatti, or any visit to a new baby: warm, fragrant and different from the usual cold drinks. It’s also inexpensive to make for a large number of guests.
Serving
Serve warm in small tea glasses or cups. For other warm, spiced drinks, try kış çayı or qehwa.
Questions people ask
Can a new mother drink it?
It's mostly sugar, cloves and cinnamon, so it's generally fine in moderation. Anyone with diabetes or specific medical advice should check with their doctor.
Can I skip the food colour?
Yes. It will be a pale amber sherbet with the same taste. For natural colour, simmer a few slices of beetroot and remove them.
How is it served?
Traditionally in small glasses with a red ribbon tied around them, offered to every visitor.
Nutrition (estimate, per serving)
- Calories
- 95
- Protein
- 0 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 25 g
