
Calamansi Juice
A refreshing Filipino citrus drink made from freshly squeezed calamansi, sweetened to taste and served over ice. Calamansi (also called calamondin) is a small, intensely tart citrus fruit beloved across the Philippines — its bright, floral sourness is unlike any lemon or lime. This simple recipe delivers the real thing: a cold, thirst-quenching glass that's a staple at Filipino family tables year-round.
4 servings · Prep 10 min · Cook 5 min · Total 15 min
Southeast Asian · Beverage
Ingredients
Open in recipe scaler →Main
- 30 whole calamansi halved for juicing (about 3/4 cup fresh juice)
4 cup cold water filtered preferred
0.25 tsp fine sea salt a small pinch balances the tartness
2 cup ice cubes
Simple Syrup
0.5 cup white sugar
0.5 cup water for the syrup
Garnish
- 4 whole calamansi sliced in half, for garnish
4 piece fresh mint sprigs optional garnish
Equipment
Stovetop
Grill
Saucepan
Pot
Pitcher (Large)
Glasse
Pitcher
Ice Cube Tray
Measuring Cups
Knife
Pan
Cutting Board
Saucepan (5 Quarts)
Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)
Citrus Juicer
Sieve
Instructions
- Combine ~[1/2 cup] @[White Sugar] and ~[1/2 cup] @[Water for the Syrup] in a #[Saucepan] over ^[medium heat]. Stir constantly until the @[White Sugar] fully dissolves, about ~[3–4 minutes]. Do not let it boil vigorously. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature, about ~[10 minutes]. (You can speed this up by placing the pan in an #[Ice Bath]).
- Halve all 30 @[Calamansi] crosswise. Using a #[Citrus Juicer] or your hand, squeeze each half firmly to extract the juice. Pour the juice through a #[Sieve] into a #[Measuring Cups] to remove seeds and pulp. You should have about ~[3/4 cup] of fresh @[Calamansi Juice].
- In a #[Pitcher (Large)], combine the strained @[Calamansi Juice], ~[4 cups] of @[Cold Water], and the cooled simple syrup. Add a small pinch of @[Fine Sea Salt] if using — it rounds out the tartness beautifully. Stir well. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding more simple syrup, or add more @[Calamansi Juice] for extra tartness.
- Fill glasses with @[Ice Cubes] and pour the @[Calamansi Juice] over the top. Garnish each glass with a halved @[Calamansi] and a sprig of @[Fresh Mint] if desired. Serve immediately while cold and refreshing.




