Mulberry Sherbet

(Karadut Şerbeti)

2 cups mulberries
2/3 cup sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice
4 cups water

Place the mulberries and sugar in a medium sized pot. Crush (or wait for about an hour) the berries with the sugar using your hand. At this stage you should wear plastic glove to prevent coloring your hand. Add the lemon juice and water and simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Let it cool down. Then cover the bowl and leave in the fridge at least 4 hours*.
Place a strainer with cheese cloth on top over a bowl. Pour the mixture in it. At the end squeeze cloth the get all the juice out. Serve it with the ice cubes.

What is Sherbet?
Sherbet "şerbet" is the world's first soft drink. Ottoman Turks drank sherbet before and during each meal. There was no custom of drinking water during the meal; sherbet or compote taken in the end replaced the water in the Palaces. Sultans drank fruit juice, lime juice or a sherbet during meals. They used an embroidered porcelain or coconut shell spoon placed on a special open box.

Sherbet is also served during Ramadan in crystal bowls or in tall cut glasses, or ornamented (with gilt flowers) glasses with ice cubes or snow. The sherbet glasses should be placed on a tray covered with lace or a piece of embroidered cloth.

Sherbet is still a traditional cold drink in Turkey. It is believed that sherbet has healing effects. In the gardens of the Ottoman Palace, spices and fruits to be used in sherbets were grown up under the control of pharmacists and doctors of the Palace.

Traditionally cold sherbet is served on especially hot summer days to please visitors. Also at weddings or during childbirth to increase lactation of the mother. This type of sherbet is called "Lohusa Sherbet" lohusa şerbeti/ birth sherbet)" which is crimson in colour and is flavored with cloves and herbs.

Sherbet is made from fruit juices or extracts of flowers or herbs, combined with sugar, water and ice or snow. Depending on the season, types of fruit sherbets include; pear, quince, strawberry, apple, kizilcik (cornelian cherry), mulberries, pomegranate, bergamot, mint, strawberry, orange, etc. There is also a honey sherbet and a green coloured violets sherbet which is made by pounding violet-flowers and then boiling them with sugar.