Soda chanh muối: The perfect summer drink from Vietnam that only takes 4 simple ingredients to make
Celine Pun
Fri, June 17, 2022, 6:56 PM·2 min read
Have a glass of soda chanh muối – a salty, sparkling Vietnamese drink – to keep you refreshed this summer.
Soda chanh muối is a type of limeade or lemonade made at home and also served in most Vietnamese restaurants. As its name suggests — with “chanh” meaning lime and “muối” meaning salt — this drink is made with limes that are fermented, offering a special twist on a classic beverage. This drink can also substitute limes for lemons depending on preference.
Step 1: Fermenting the limes
Instructions:Ingredients:
Lots of limes
Lots of salt
Salt brine (.25 cup salt : 1.5 cups water)
Preparation time:
>3 weeks
- Make a salt brine by heating up a pot of salt and water until the salt completely dissolves. Let the brine cool completely on the counter.
- Scrub the limes thoroughly to remove dirt, wax and other impurities.
- Slice the limes in half across the middle and then slice partially into quarters.
- Rub their rinds and juice sacs with salt.
- You can submerge the salted limes/lemons into brine or more salt.
- Add a label with the date and put the limes/lemons in a cool place, such as a dark cupboard or closet, to ferment for at least three weeks.
The acidity of the limes dissolves the salt, which then softens the aggressive sharpness and tartness of the citrus over time. Floral and fruity flavors are drawn out, adding more depth to the limes’ flavor profile.
Step 2: Making the soda chanh muối
Ingredients:
1 lime wedge
Sweetener to taste
Cold sparkling water
Handful of ice