Tej Punch
Tej Punch is a light, fragrant honey-wine cooler with zesty lemon, fresh ginger heat, and sparkling lift. Mint and ice make it especially refreshing, turning traditional tej into an easy party drink for warm weather or aperitif service.
Ingredients
Punch base
- 240 mltej
- 240 mlsparkling water, well chilled
- 60 mllemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 30 ghoney
- 10 gfresh ginger, finely grated
To serve
- 10 gfresh mint leaves
- 200 gice cubes
- 4 sliceslemon slices
Instructions
- 1
In a small jug, whisk the honey and freshly squeezed lemon juice until the honey is mostly dissolved. This helps it blend evenly without sinking to the bottom.
- 2
Stir in the finely grated ginger and tej. Taste the mixture: it should be bright, lightly sweet, and gently spicy. If you want a smoother drink, let it stand briefly and strain out the ginger pulp.
- 3
Fill 2 glasses with the ice cubes, mint leaves, and lemon slices. Lightly clap the mint between your hands before adding it to release its aroma without making it bitter.
- 4
Divide the tej mixture between the glasses, then top each with chilled sparkling water. Stir very gently once or twice to keep the drink lively and fizzy.
- 5
Serve immediately while cold and effervescent.
Nutrition per serving
Notes
- •Use very cold tej and sparkling water so the punch stays crisp without needing excessive ice dilution.
- •If your tej is already quite sweet, reduce the honey to 15 g or omit it entirely.
- •For a cleaner presentation, strain the ginger before pouring into the glasses.
- •This drink is alcoholic if made with traditional tej; serve responsibly.
Background
Tej is Ethiopia's traditional honey wine, long associated with hospitality, celebrations, and tej houses known as tej bet. This quick punch is a modern, refreshing serving style that keeps the floral honey character of tej while brightening it with lemon, ginger, and bubbles.
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