Skip to main content
Epicurious

Barley Water

An old-fashioned drink that was traditionally given to children.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 2 to 4.

Ingredients

2 ounces pearl barley
3 teaspoons sugar
Peel of 1/2 lemon
1 pint boiling water

Preparation

  1. Put barley in a small saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and boil for about 3 minutes. Strain barley and put in a jug with sugar, lemon peel and boiling water. Cover and let stand until cold. Strain. Serve plain, or add lemon juice and sugar to taste, or dilute half and half with milk, or serve over ice. It is usually served in small tumblers

TagsHot DrinkBeveragesCold DrinkBarleyRice & GrainsNut FreeDairy FreeEasyMake AheadSimmerEpicurious
Read More
The Only Frittata Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App in May
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App This Week
Like “phenomenal” whole lemon bars and grilled salmon with dill chimichurri.
Chicken Salad With Grapes and Walnuts
This chicken salad nails it—creamy, herby, and endlessly riffable.
Charred Vegetable Ragù
This sauce is slightly magical. The texture cloaks pasta much like a traditional meat sauce does, and the flavors are deep and rich, but it’s actually vegan!
Caramelized Onion Pasta
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
13 Types of Nuts and How to Cook With Them
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Cod With Lemon Butter Sauce
A flurry of fresh tarragon makes this speedy weeknight dish of seared cod and luscious, sun-colored pan sauce feel restaurant worthy.