What are your go-to comforts whenever you’ve caught a cold? I’m going straight for tomato soup; my husband likes mint tea. And my daughter? She will get French lemonade. Hear me out.
Anybody who’s taken a sick child to the pediatrician has heard the recommendation: don’t stress about meals; simply maintain them hydrated. The primary time Margot acquired actually sick (pneumonia at 18 months), the physician firmly instructed me, “Something to maintain her hydrated. Juice, Jell-O, ice cream, actually something with water content material.” I believed he was being dramatic, however I quickly realized simply how hard-headed a sick toddler will be. We actually did strive every little thing, and every tablespoon of liquid was a battle.
I remembered that recommendation one Saturday, a 12 months later, when Margot had an everyday previous chilly. The three of us have been working errands and popped into an area French bakery, the place I noticed lemon juice on the menu. Citron chaud, relatively — in any other case referred to as sizzling lemonade. The menu described it as the normal French method: contemporary lemon juice, steamed, then minimize with a splash of sizzling water and simply dab of honey. In different phrases, an enormous mug of very popular, very bitter liquid. I checked out my droopy toddler — lips parched from one other week of whole disinterest in something remotely hydrating — and I questioned if it would work.
Reader, she beloved it. She virtually choked on the primary bitter sip — then dove proper again in. She beloved it a lot that, after steeling myself, I attempted a style. And immediately, I acquired the attraction. Citron chaud is bracing and warming — a nice jolt to the system. It one way or the other seems like taking a shot and cozying up with a cup of tea. And typically it’s simply what the physician ordered.
Right here’s how I make it at residence:
Citron Chaud
Serves 1-2
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (4-5 lemons, relying on dimension)
1/4-1/2 cup very popular water
1-2 tsp honey
Add lemon juice to a saucepan, and set over a excessive warmth till it simply begins to simmer. Take away from the burner and pour into mugs. You may both pour the entire thing into one giant mug (or a small bowl, if you wish to be correctly french about it), or divide it into two. Add 1/4 cup of sizzling water, and stir in 1 tsp of honey till it dissolves.
Now, take a deep breath, and provides it a style. If it makes you shout, “Hoo-ah!” like Al Pacino, then you definately’ve made it appropriately. If, after making an attempt, you need to take it down a notch, then go forward and add the opposite 1/4 cup of water and second teaspoon of honey. However should you’re up for it, I encourage you to strive at the least one cup at hoo-ah degree. It’s like slap on the again, proper when you really want one.
Do you’ve a sick-day drink or meals? I’d love to listen to about your comforts or slap-on-the-back recipes!
P.S. Three more warm drinks for winter days, and two ways to make chai.
