What is rose syrup, gulab ka syrup?

🌹 What is Rose Syrup (Gulab Ka Syrup)?

Rose syrup, known in Hindi as Gulab ka Syrup (gulab meaning rose), is a concentrated, sweet liquid flavoring made primarily from rose petals, sugar, and water. It is a traditional and highly cherished ingredient across India and the Middle East, valued not just for its sweet taste but also for its distinctive floral aroma and beautiful pink or red color. The best quality syrups are made using the extract of specific, highly fragrant rose varieties, such as the Rosa damascena(Damask rose). Its refreshing and cooling properties have made it a staple, particularly during the hot summer months.

🍹 Versatile Culinary Uses Across India

The uses of rose syrup span a wide range of beverages and desserts, making it a highly versatile component in Indian cuisine. Its most common application is as a key ingredient in sharbat, which is a general term for a sweet, non-alcoholic concentrated drink. Across different regions, it is used to flavor plain water, soda, or milk. It is also a fundamental element in many traditional street-side drinks and is often kept on hand in homes to offer guests a quick, cooling refreshment.

🍦 Key Role in Popular Indian Desserts

Beyond beverages, Gulab ka Syrup plays a pivotal role in flavoring several iconic Indian desserts. It is famously drizzled over kulfi (traditional Indian ice cream) and falooda, a beloved layered dessert featuring thin vermicelli noodles, sweet basil seeds (sabja), milk, and ice cream. The syrup not only imparts flavor but also adds a stunning visual appeal to these preparations. Its sweet, fragrant note balances the richness of milk and cream, enhancing the overall dessert experience.

🥛 Recipe Example: Rose Milk (Doodh Sharbat)

One of the simplest and most popular uses is making Rose Milk (or Gulab Doodh). To make this, you simply mix chilled milk with about 2-3 tablespoons of rose syrup per glass, depending on the desired sweetness. For an extra refreshing touch, you can add a pinch of ground cardamom (elaichi) or some soaked basil seeds (sabja). This drink is incredibly popular as a soothing summer cooler or a sweet bedtime drink.

🍨 Recipe Example: Rose Falooda

Falooda is a more complex, layered recipe where rose syrup is indispensable. A classic Falooda is prepared by layering soaked sabja seeds, chilled rose-flavored milk, cooked vermicelli (falooda sev), and topped with a scoop of ice creamor kulfi. The rose syrup is often mixed into the milk and also drizzled over the top as a final garnish, ensuring its fragrance and color permeate every part of the dessert. This makes it a popular festive and celebratory treat.

🏡 Homemade vs. Store-Bought Syrup

While many high-quality store-bought rose syrups are available in India, making it at home is a rewarding process that ensures maximum freshness and flavor. A basic homemade recipe involves boiling sugar and water until a syrup consistency is reached, then adding a generous amount of fresh or dried rose petals (or concentrated rose water/essence) and allowing it to steep. A touch of citric acid (or lemon juice) is often added to prevent crystallization and preserve the syrup's quality.

How to select rose syrup, gulab ka syrup

• Rose syrup is available commercially.

• The organic variety of this syrup can be purchased online as well.

• If purchasing it commercially ensure that the seal is unbroken.

• Please read the manufacturing and expiry dates to ensure maximum product freshness.

Culinary Uses of rose syrup, gulab ka syrup

• Chilled water and ice cubes when added to rose syrup makes for an extremely refreshing drink.

• Milkshakes, ice slush, kulfis, chilled soft drinks, taste great when flavoured with rose syrup.

• Waffles and pancakes can take on a more exotic taste when paired with rose syrup and dried fruits, alongside a tall glass of saffron milk.

• Rose falooda is a delicious Indian dessert served chilled.

• Rose flavoured icing on cookies and cakes give it a middle eastern flavour.

• Rose syrup can also be drizzled on rice pudding with finely chopped pistachio, almonds and raisins.