flipNabidh — Infused Date Water
Nabidh — Infused Date Water
Why this dish? Non-fermented nabidh — dates or raisins soaked in water for a few hours — was the sweet, thirst-quenching drink of the Prophet's household, whose table Ali shared. It was drunk fresh the same day, before it turned, as Islam prohibits intoxication.
Water in which dates have been soaked: it takes on their sugar and a hint of fruity acidity. A sweet, refreshing everyday drink, to be consumed the same day to stay below the threshold of fermentation.
When the heat of the Hijaz parches the throat, throw a handful of dates into the waterskin in the evening, and drink its sweetened water in the morning. But beware: drink it the same day, fresh, before it heats up and becomes what God has forbidden. Sweetness is lawful, intoxication is not — it is in this measure that righteousness lies.
- •Ripe dates — a handful (source of sugar and flavor)
- •Fresh water — a waterskin (base of the drink)
Nabidh — Infused Date Water
Water in which dates have been soaked: it takes on their sugar and a hint of fruity acidity. A sweet, refreshing everyday drink, to be consumed the same day to stay below the threshold of fermentation.
Why this dish? Non-fermented nabidh — dates or raisins soaked in water for a few hours — was the sweet, thirst-quenching drink of the Prophet's household, whose table Ali shared. It was drunk fresh the same day, before it turned, as Islam prohibits intoxication.
When the heat of the Hijaz parches the throat, throw a handful of dates into the waterskin in the evening, and drink its sweetened water in the morning. But beware: drink it the same day, fresh, before it heats up and becomes what God has forbidden. Sweetness is lawful, intoxication is not — it is in this measure that righteousness lies.
Ingredients (period version)
- Ripe dates — a handful (source of sugar and flavor)
- Fresh water — a waterskin (base of the drink)
Ingredients
- Soft pitted dates — 6 to 8 (source of sugar and flavor)
- Fresh water — 1 liter (base of the drink)
- Pinch of cinnamon or lemon zest (optional) — to taste (flavoring)
Method
- Split the dates and place them in a pitcher or jar.
- Cover with fresh water and let infuse in a cool place for 6 to 12 hours (overnight).
- Lightly press the dates in the water to release the sugar, then strain.
- Serve well chilled the same day; do not keep beyond 24 hours to avoid any fermentation.
- Optionally flavor with a pinch of cinnamon.
How it was made : Nabidh originally meant a simple infusion of fruits (dates, raisins) in water, drunk non-fermented. It sweetened often brackish water and provided quick sugar. Consumption had to precede alcoholic fermentation, prohibited in Islam — hence the rule of drinking it the same day. No New World ingredients are involved.
The contemporary twist : Serve nabidh over ice with a lemon slice and a few mint leaves: a naturally flavored water, with no added sugar, worthy of a contemporary infusion bar.
Ali ibn Abi Talib · Charactorium
