Lohusa Sherbet

(Lohusa Şerbeti)

3 cups water
3/4 cup sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
4 cloves
5 drops of red food colour

Place all the ingredients in a medium cooking pot. Turn the heat down to medium-low and bring to boil.

Turn off the heat after the sweet smell of cinnamon and cloves was spread into the house. Serve it as hot in the winter or after cooling in the fridge in the summer.

Childbirth Sherbet is a traditional Turkish sorbet at birth, served hot or cold depending on the season. It is sent to the homes of the relatives and friends and also offered to the guests. It is served with walnuts on the side.

To indicate the sex of the baby, red ribbon is tied to the throat of a pitcher if it is a boy, or a red painted fine muslin is tied to the mouth part of the pitcher if it is a girl:)

It is advised that the new mother should drink it as much as possible since it increases lactation and makes it more tasteful.