Khakshir Recipe: Make a Refreshing Persian Summer Drink

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Khakshir syrup is a refreshing drink made from khakshir seeds mixed with ice, water, sugar, and sometimes saffron. During my childhood, one of the drinks my mother often prepared on hot summer days to help us cool down was khakshir syrup.

I also remember that this sherbet was commonly served when breaking the fast during Ramadan, helping to relieve thirst after a long day of fasting.

The drink has a light texture and a mild sweetness, and when combined with brewed saffron, it develops an even more pleasant aroma and flavor.

Making this traditional Iranian drink involves a few simple tips, such as properly washing the seeds and combining them with ingredients like saffron or rose water. If you continue reading this article, you will learn these steps and helpful tips easily.

What is Khakshir?

Khakshir, also known as flixweed, is a plant that grows in gardens and desert regions. Its flowers are bright yellow. Interestingly, this plant often grows wild in many areas.

There are generally two types of khakshir seeds. One type has smaller seeds with a lighter color. The other type has slightly larger seeds with a darker reddish tone and is commonly found in the Alborz region and desert areas.

Sekanjabin syrup, sharbat albaloo, and saffron syrup are also refreshing drinks that help quench thirst during hot summer weather.

For: 6 people

Preparation: 25 minutes

Khakshir Drink Recipe:

Ingredients :

Cold water	6 glasses
Rose water	2 tablespoons
Sugar	a glass
Khakeshir(flixweed)	half a glass
Fresh lime juice (optional)	as needed

 How to make Khakeshir:

1. Soaking:

To prepare this Persian drink, first pour the seeds into a suitable bowl, add water, and wash them. Then place them in a bowl again, add fresh water, and let them soak for about 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Washing:

Next, transfer the seeds several times into another bowl to remove sand and dirt.

3. Preparing the syrup:

After soaking, pour the seeds into a pitcher. Add sugar, rose water, and cold water, then stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved.

4. Serving drink:

Pour some ice into the pitcher, pour the syrups into the glass, and serve. You can add some fresh lime juice to make the syrup tasty and then drink it.

Khakshir Drink with Saffron:

Ingredients:

Washed flixweed	2 tablespoons
Powdered saffron	as much as the tip of a teaspoon
Tokhme sharbati (chia seeds)	1 tablespoon
Water	1/2 glass
Sugar	1/2 cup

Instruction :

1. Boil sugar and water:

To prepare this saffron syrup, pour the sugar and water into a pot and place it over medium heat. Allow the mixture to boil gently until the sugar dissolves. It is usually better not to stir too much while the sugar is dissolving.

2. Add rose water to the juice:

After the sugar is dissolved, you must add rose water to the syrup. Stir the juice for about 6 minutes.

3. Add saffron to syrup:

At this stage, add the saffron powder to the syrup. Allow the mixture to cook briefly until it reaches a slightly thicker consistency, then remove it from the heat.

4. Preparing syrup:

Let the syrup cool completely. Then pour some syrup into a glass, add the soaked seeds and tokhme sharbati, and mix with water. Your refreshing drink is ready.

Descurainia sophia is a member of the family Brassicaceae.^[1] Common names include flixweed, herb-Sophia and tansy mustard.^[2] It reproduces by seeds. It is a dominant weed in dark brown prairie and black prairie soils of southern Alberta.

Its stem is erect, branched, and 4–30 in (10–76 cm) high.^[4] It was once given to patients with dysentery and called by ancient herbalists Sophia Chirurgorum, “The Wisdom of Surgeons”.^[5] It is the type species of the genus Descurainia (named for French botanist and herbalist François Descurain (1658–1749)) and of the rejected genus Sophia Adans.

sourced:https://en.wikipedia.org

One of the most nutritious and energetic Iranian drinks is Shir Khorma(Iranian date walnut ginger drink)

How to Wash Khakshir Seeds:

 

Since the seeds are very small, washing them can be a bit challenging. To clean them properly, place them in a bowl of water and stir gently.

After a short time, small sticks and light particles will float on the surface of the water. Carefully pour off the water while keeping the seeds in the bowl.

Add fresh water again, stir the seeds, and pour them into another bowl so that small pebbles remain behind. Repeat this process several times until the seeds are completely clean.

Finally, pour them into a strainer, rinse once more, and they will be ready to use.

For a better taste, the drink can also be combined with rose water syrup, which gives it a pleasant aroma and a calming flavor.

Khakshir Benefits:

Khakshir seeds have been used for centuries in traditional Persian medicine and are especially popular in summer drinks. When soaked in water, the seeds form a light gel-like texture that makes the drink both refreshing and soothing.

Cooling and Hydration

This traditional drink is often enjoyed on hot days because of its naturally cooling effect. In many Iranian households, it is served cold with ice, rose water, or saffron to help the body stay refreshed and hydrated.

Digestive Support

The soaked seeds develop a light gel texture that may help support digestion. Because of this characteristic, the drink is sometimes consumed to soothe the stomach after heavy meals.

May Help With Constipation

Thanks to its fiber‑like texture when soaked in water, the drink is sometimes used as a gentle natural remedy that may help relieve mild constipation.

Traditional Use

In traditional Iranian medicine, flixweed seeds are believed to have cooling properties that help balance body heat during warm weather. For this reason, the drink is commonly consumed in summer or after fasting periods such as Ramadan.

Although these uses are widely known in traditional practices, scientific research on some of these effects is still limited. Like many herbal drinks, it is best enjoyed in moderation.

Now that you are familiar with the great benefits of khakshir, you can read the benefits of other Iranian drinks that are almost like this drink, such as the Doogh benefits and the Gol gav zaban benefits.

 

Notes:

• To prepare homemade khakshir syrup, you can make the sugar syrup separately and then mix it with water and the soaked seeds when serving.

• You can also use aromatic extracts such as aragh bidmeshk, bahar narenj, or kasni to add more flavor.

• Another easy method is to soak the seeds, place them in an ice mold, and freeze them. Later, you can simply add the frozen cubes to water to prepare the drink quickly.

• Honey can also be used instead of sugar.

• In traditional Iranian practices, this drink is sometimes consumed to help the body cool down during very hot weather.

• Adding rose water or fresh lemon juice can make the drink even more refreshing.

• You can adjust the amount of sugar depending on your taste preference.

• Cardamom may also be used instead of rose water for a slightly different aroma.

• Adding a small amount of saffron improves both the color and fragrance of the drink.

• Adding a small amount of saffron improves both the color and fragrance of the drink.

• If the drink is prepared a few hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator, it usually develops a better flavor.

   

FAQ :

1. How to prepare Khak-e-shir syrup without sugar?

To prepare this drink without sugar, you can sweeten it with a small amount of honey.

2. How to prepare a two-coloured flixweed drink?

Prepare khakshir and tokhme sharbati separately, then combine them in a glass to create a layered drink.

3. How to prepare this drink for constipation?

Two tablespoons of the soaked seeds can be mixed with a glass of warm water. Some people prefer to drink it once in the morning and once in the evening.

4. What are the benefits of khakshir syrup?

This refreshing Persian drink is mainly consumed to relieve thirst and support digestion. It is also traditionally associated with helping the body stay cool during hot weather.

5. What is khakshir called in English?

Khakshir is commonly known in English as flixweed.

6. Where can I buy it?

These seeds are usually available in Persian or Middle Eastern grocery stores and may also be found online.

7. Is it an alcoholic beverage?

No. This is a non‑alcoholic herbal drink.

8. What is khakshir?

It is a traditional Persian drink made from soaked flixweed seeds mixed with water and other flavorings such as sugar, saffron, or rose water.

9. Is it harmful to consume every day?

Moderate consumption is generally safe for healthy people. However, individuals with certain medical conditions should consult a healthcare professional before consuming herbal drinks regularly.