Sharab El Ward (Rosewater syrup)

Sharab El Ward: Rosewater is used to flavor many desserts and beverages in the Middle East. This recipe is for a basic syrup which can be diluted with water as a beverage or poured as a sauce over ice cream.

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup distilled rose water
• 1 Tbsp. Lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp- red food coloring
  

Preparation:

1 Dissolve sugar in water.
2 Strain through a fine piece of gauze.
3 Bring to aboil, add lemon juice and remove the foam which rises to the top.
4 Dilute the red coloring in a little water and add it to boiling syrup.
5 Lastly add rose water and boil another three minutes.
6 Remove from fire. Cool. Bottle and seal.