Kaynar — Adana Spiced Celebration Drink
Adana’s richly spiced celebration drink, infused with ginger, galangal, cinnamon and cloves, then topped with crushed walnuts.
Serves 6 • Prep 10 minutes • Cook 45 minutes
INGREDIENTS
• 1.4 litres water, plus extra as needed
• 150 g sugar or grape molasses, to taste
• 10 g dried galangal pieces
• 15 g fresh ginger, sliced
• 3 cinnamon sticks; 10 cloves
• 10 black peppercorns; 10 cardamom pods, lightly cracked
• 6 tablespoons crushed walnuts, for serving
METHOD
1. Tie the spices in a clean muslin bag.
2. Bring the water and sugar to a simmer. Add the spice bag.
3. Simmer gently for 45 minutes. Add water as needed to maintain roughly the starting volume.
4. Remove the bag, taste and adjust sweetness.
5. Pour into heatproof glasses and top each with walnuts. Let cool to a comfortable drinking temperature.
REGIONAL NOTE
Kaynar is associated with Adana and visits celebrating a new baby. This measured home adaptation follows that culinary tradition.
SOURCES
Adapted from Türkiye Culture Portal’s Adana Kaynar recipe; quantities for root spices are standardized here.
