Homemade Black Grape Squash/ Black Grape Cordial Recipe | How to make Black Grape Squash | How to preserve Black Grape Juice
Homemade Black Grape Cordial /Squash is a wonderful way to preserve Black Grape juice and enjoy it anytime of the day.
It have used raw sugar(jaggery powder) here. Since grapes already are sweet in taste, we need to add very little sugar/sweetener to it, just to make the taste a bit more palatable and to cut the sour taste.
Mixed with water or carbonated water/soda it is a very refreshing drink to serve when guests come over. Not only the taste but also the color is so pleasing to eyes. Woe your loved ones with this homemade black grape squash.
You can make it in bulk and store for a couple of months. Many time we get sour grapes which no one likes to have, you can make this instant squash or juice and save the fruit from going waste.
Summers are the best time to enjoy refreshing Juices and Smoothies. Apart from the regular fruit juices and shakes, fruits squashes or cordials are a good way to beat the heat.
What are Squashes or Cordials
Fruit Squashes or Cordials( as called by British) are the non alcoholic concentrated fruit syrup used in beverage making. These are basically, fruit juices cooked in water and sugar(sweetener).
Common fruits that are used in making squashes are citrus fruits like Oranges, Lemons and Berries like strawberries, blueberries, kiwis.
Store-bought ready made squashes also contain additives like coloring agent, flavoring agents and preservatives. All these can be avoided in homemade squashes.
Blacks Grapes are availabe in abundance in markets these days. Eating grapes as such or adding in fruit custard, fruit cream or fruit chaat are few of the yumm ways to enjoy it.
Black Grape Squash is not only refreshing but also has many health benefits.
These are rich sources of antioxidants and protect cells from damage. Studies have shown that these also may help in reducing weight and risk of heart diseases.
Storage and Preserving of Black Grape Squash/Black Grape Cordial
You can do preserve this squash for months by following the proper canning process. If you are making a small batch from about a kg of grapes, then you can store it in refrigerator in sterilized air-tight glass bottle/jar.
Fresh juice from Black Grapes/Black Grape Cordial
If you do not want to make squash, you can still make fresh grape juice. Any good juicer like centrifugal juicer, cold pressed juicer can be used to make juice. Or, you can even blend grapes with mint and ginger for a fresh detox drink. Strain the peels if you want the clear juice.
How to make Black Grapes Squash/Black Grape Cordial
We need just 3 ingredients to make grape squash and it is a simple quick process.
Black Grapes, Sugar and Water.
First clean grapes. Black Grapes has a kind of powdery covering. To clean it properly, wash grapes in running water 2-3 times. Then take water in a container add sea salt to it and soak grapes in it. Keep grapes for about 15-20 mins. Rub grapes lightly to remove the residue. Then drain the water, wash again one more time.
Next, boil grapes in water, till the peel starts to come out. Grapes will also change a bit of color. Switch off the gas. Let the grape mixture cool completely.
Next drain the colored water and then transfer the grapes to a grinder/ blender. Pulse 1-2 times. Do not grind to a smooth paste. The peels may not taste bitter and also you won't get a clear solution.
Alternatively, mash the grapes using a potato masher or better use you hand to take out pulp and separate the peels. Strain the mixture again. Add about half cup water, if the mixture is too thick.
Finally when you take out all the pulp and are left with peels, take the clear mixture in saucepan/pan, add sugar/jaggery powder.
Boil the mixture for 5 mins. Take off the gas and cool completely before filling in bottles.
Some more Chilled drinks from the blog to beat the heat..
Black Grape Squash/Black Grape Cordial
Ingredients
For Grapes Squash
- 500 gm Black Grapes
- ¼ Cup Any Raw Sugar I used Jaggery Powder
- ¼ Cup Lemon Juice
- 3-4 Cup Water or as required
For Fresh Black Grape Juice
- 1 Cup Black Grapes clean and washed
- Ginger piece(Small)
- 5-6 Fresh Mint Leaves
- ¼ tsp Black Salt
Instructions
Make Black Grape Squash
- Clean Grapes. Black Grapes has a kind of powdery covering. To clean it properly, wash grapes in running water 2-3 times.
- Take water in a container add sea salt to it and soak grapes in it. Keep grapes for about 15-20 mins. Rub grapes lightly to remove the residue. Then drain the water, wash again one more time.
- In a pan add 2-3 cups of water. Add washed grapes.
- Boil grapes in water, till the peel starts to come out. Grapes will also change a bit of color.
- Switch off the gas. Let the grape mixture cool completely.
- Next drain the colored water and then transfer the grapes to a grinder/ blender.
- Pulse 1-2 times. Do not grind to a smooth paste. The peels may not taste bitter and also you won't get a clear solution.
- Alternatively, mash the grapes using a potato masher or better use you hand to take out pulp and separate the peels.
- Strain the mixture again. Add about half cup water, if the mixture is too thick.
- Finally when you take out all the pulp and are left with peels, take the clear mixture in saucepan/pan, add sugar/jaggery powder.
- Boil the mixture for 5 mins. Take off the gas and cool completely.
- Once cooled, add lemon juice and then fill and store in sterilized bottles.
- To make large batches adjust the ingredients accordingly as per the quantity of grapes.
How to Serve
- Take about ¼ Cup of Squash in glass. Add chilled water/carbonated water.
- Serve with ices cubes.
- You can also add crushed ginger and mint leaves (or use muddler) before making the drink.
Do make this refreshing Black Grape Squash which is much better than the store bought one. It is good for kids and grown ups alike. Also, you can control the amount of sugar in the recipe as per your dietary preferences.
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POOJA PANDIT
Very refreshing... So apt for these harsh Summers!
Sitaram
Your content is awesome