Saudi Arabia: How to make the Middle Eastern Sobia drink

Sobia is a popular Middle Eastern drink, especially in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It’s a sweet and creamy beverage made from ingredients like coconut milk, condensed milk, and various flavourings.

Here’s a recipe for making Sobia:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice
• 4 cups water
• 1 can (400ml) coconut milk
• 1 can (400ml) sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 cup rose water or orange blossom water (adjust to taste)
• Crushed ice (optional)
• Ground cinnamon or shredded coconut for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain.
2. Combine the rinsed rice and 4 cups of water in a large saucepan. Bring it to a boil over high heat.
3. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the rice is soft and has absorbed most of the water.
4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the rice cool down to room temperature.
5. Once the rice is cooled, transfer it to a blender or food processor.
6. Add the coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, ground cardamom, and rose water (or orange blossom water) to the blender or food processor with the rice.
7. Blend the mixture until it’s smooth and creamy. You can adjust the sweetness and flavour by adding more condensed milk or rose water as per your taste.
8. If you prefer a colder drink, you can add some crushed ice to the blender and blend it until the ice is crushed and the drink is chilled.
9. Pour the Sobia into glasses and optionally garnish with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or shredded coconut.
10. Serve your homemade Sobia chilled, and enjoy!

Sobia is a delightful and refreshing drink, perfect for hot days or as a sweet treat. Feel free to adjust the sweetness and flavours to suit your preferences. Enjoy!

ALSO READ: Saudi Arabia, chicken kabsa