Nar Suyu (Fresh Pomegranate Juice)
نار سویو (تازہ انار کا رس)
Walk through Istanbul in autumn and winter and you'll pass carts piled with pomegranates, where the seller cuts each one in half and presses it on a big metal juicer while you wait. *Nar suyu* is simply that: fresh pomegranate juice, tart and sweet. Pakistan grows excellent pomegranates, from the big Kandhari *anar* to the sour *daru* used for , so this is one of the easiest Turkish drinks to make at home.
- ⏱ Total: 15 min
- Prep: 15 min
- Easy
- Serves 2
Method
Tap a step when it is done.
Method 1 (citrus press): cut the pomegranates in half across the middle and press each half on a citrus juicer, as you would an orange.
Method 2 (blender): take out the seeds, pulse them in the blender for 3–4 short bursts only, then strain through a sieve, pressing gently.
Taste and add a little lemon if it's too sweet. Pour over ice and drink straight away.
Kitchen notes
Don't blend for long. The white pith and crushed seeds make the juice bitter.
To take out seeds without a mess, break the fruit apart in a bowl of water; the seeds sink and the pith floats.
Pomegranate juice stains. Wear an apron and wipe spills quickly.
A street-cart classic
Pomegranate juice stands are part of Istanbul’s street life from autumn through winter, especially around Eminönü, Kadıköy and Taksim. The seller halves the fruit, presses it on a heavy lever juicer and hands you a glass of bright red juice. Some stands mix it with orange juice for a sweeter drink.
Two ways at home
A citrus press (hand or electric) works well for pomegranates and gives clear juice with very little bitterness. If you don’t have one, take out the seeds and pulse them very briefly in a blender, then strain. Either way, avoid squeezing in the white pith, which is very bitter.
Pakistani pomegranates
Kandhari and Peshawari pomegranates are sweet and juicy, and perfect here. The sour wild pomegranate that’s dried to make is too tart for juice on its own, but a few seeds mixed with sweet ones give a lovely sharpness.
Serving
Serve straight away over ice. It goes well with breakfast, after a heavy meal, or mixed half and half with fresh orange juice. For a cooked pomegranate flavour, see , the Turkish pomegranate molasses.
Questions people ask
How much juice does one pomegranate give?
A large one gives about half a cup.
Should I add sugar?
Usually not. Good pomegranates are sweet enough; sour ones are better mixed with sweet ones than sweetened.
How long does it keep?
It's best fresh. In the fridge it keeps for a day but slowly loses its brightness.
Nutrition (estimate, per serving)
- Calories
- 140
- Protein
- 1 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 34 g
