Calpis

As a rule I tend to avoid drinks with the suffix pis, but this sounded so intriguing I had to give it a try.

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes: 6-8 long drinks
Skill level: easy

Ingredients

• yoghurt – 225g
• caster sugar – 200g
• lemon juice – 70ml
• vanilla essence – ½tsp

Pour the yoghurt and sugar into a Pyrex bowl and place over a saucepan of simmering water.

Stir with a whisk until the sugar has dissolved.

Continue whisking until it reaches 75c (you’ll obviously need a thermometer). This will take quite a while – 10-15 minutes.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

Mix in the lemon juice and vanilla essence.

Pour the ‘base syrup’ into a container and refrigerate… should keep quite well as it is very sweet.

When you want a refreshing and sweet drink mix one part base syrup with four parts sparkling water and add plenty of ice.

Alternatively for something a little more bracing, mix two parts base syrup with one part vodka and a little egg white (untested at time of writing)

Verdict: Interesting, tastes very similar to Cream Soda. Too sweet for my liking, but will worth making once.

Drink: N/a.

Entertainment: Watching Hebden Twins walking their dogs in the park