Sharbat golab is a cold Persian rose drink with only three ingredients: sugar, water, and rose water. Learn how to make this classic Persian refreshment right at home.
By Candice Walker on May 13, 2024 (Last updated May 13, 2024) This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
1119shares
Sharbat golab is a cold Persian rose drink with only three ingredients: sugar, water, and rose water. Sharbat are traditionally made with a flavored simple syrup and poured over ice, and the refreshing flavor of this rose version makes it a popular summer drink. It brings me back to hot summer days in my parent’s backyard!
🌟 Why You’ll Love This Rose Drink
Refreshing and reviving: Nothing beats a sip of sweet, iced rose sharbat on a hot summer day. It’s a great alternative to lemonade. For a fusion drink, try this rose lemonade.
Delicate flavor: Too much rose can be overpowering, but the hint of rose in this drink is just the right amount.
Minimal ingredients: You only need two things to make this as you already have water at home! You can also skip the sugar and rosewater if you have or make rose simple syrup.
🧾 Ingredients in This Recipe
Filtered water – Use any filtered or bottled drinking water. You can also make this drink effervescent with some bubbly water.
Sugar – Use white granulated as this dissolves quickly and evenly.
Rose water – You can buy this, make a homemade rose water, or substitute it with a rose simple syrup by substituting 1/4 cup of rose simple syrup (or a little more) for both the rose water and sugar.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
👩🍳 How to Make This Recipe
In a jar or pitcher, stir together the rose water, sugar, and water until the sugar is dissolved.
Pour over ice just before serving. I made rosebud ice cubes for extra flair by putting rosebuds in an ice mold with filtered or boiling water the night before.
🌹 How to Add a Rose Sugar Rim
To make pink rose sugar, use a food processor or pestle and mortar to grind up white sugar and dried rose buds.
Pour the rose sugar into a shallow dish, then wet the rim of the serving glass with a wedge of lime and swirl it in the sugar.
🌸 Pro Tip
Make this drink extra pretty in a tall serving glass with rose ice cubes. You can add a sprig of mint and/or a squeeze of lime. Remember to pour over the ice right when you’re ready to serve to avoid diluting the drink with melted ice.
🍾 Make this Sharbat with Alcohol
Sharbat golab is traditionally served plain as directed in this recipe, or with the addition of a squeeze of lime and sprig of mint. Although it’s non-alcoholic, the flavors in this rose drink would pair fabulously with gin if you’re looking for an alcoholic twist on the classic.
It would make a unique and special cocktail for dinner parties or outdoor brunches.
🥀More Rose Recipes
Infusing recipes with rose adds an irresistible delicate floral flavor. Try these rose beverages next!
Sharbat golab is a cold Persian rose drink with only three ingredients: sugar, water, and rose water. Learn how to make this classic Persian refreshment right at home.
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time0 minutesmins
Total Time5 minutesmins
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Persian
Diet: Gluten Free, Kosher, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 2
Calories: 69kcal
Ingredients
1/4cuprose watersee note if using rose simple syrup
3tbspsugarup to 4 tablespoons
2cupswaterdrinking water, or carbonated water
icefor serving
Instructions
Mix together the rose water, sugar, and water and stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Pour over ice just before serving.
Notes
Use rose simple syrup by substituting 1/4 cup of rose simple syrup or a little more for the rose water and sugar.* This recipe is traditionally served plain as described, or with the addition of a squeeze of lime and sprig of mint. Although this recipe is traditionally non-alcoholic, the flavors pair with well with gin if you’re looking for an alcoholic twist on the classic. Or you can use bubbly water instead of flat.
Did you try this recipe?I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a Review to let us know how it came out, if you have a successful substitution or variation, or anything else.
