Sujeonggwa (Korean Cinnamon Punch)

🧂 Ingredients

• 5 Cinnamon sticks(About 3-4 inches each)
• 3 inches Fresh ginger(Peeled and thinly sliced)
• 1 cup Brown sugar(Or adjust to taste. Can use white sugar or honey.)
• 4 Dried persimmons(Look for soft, pliable ones. If very dry, rehydrate in warm water for 15 minutes before using.)
• 2 tbsp Pine nuts(For garnish)
• 8 cups Water

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the cinnamon and ginger infusions. In a medium saucepan, combine the cinnamon sticks, sliced ginger, and 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1 hour. The liquid should become fragrant and deeply colored.

   ⏱️ 1 hour
2. 2

   Strain the liquid. Carefully strain the cinnamon-ginger infusion through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot or heatproof bowl, discarding the solids. You should have a fragrant, amber-colored liquid.

   ⏱️ 5 minutes
3. 3

   Sweeten the punch. Add the remaining 2 cups of water to the strained liquid. Stir in the brown sugar until completely dissolved. Bring the mixture back to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is fully incorporated and the liquid is smooth. Do not boil vigorously.

   ⏱️ 15 minutes
4. 4

   Add dried persimmons. Gently place the dried persimmons into the warm punch. Let them steep in the warm liquid for about 30 minutes off the heat, allowing them to soften and infuse their subtle sweetness and texture into the punch. If using rehydrated persimmons, they may need less steeping time.

   ⏱️ 30 minutes
5. 5

   Chill thoroughly. Once the persimmons have steeped and the punch has cooled slightly, transfer the entire mixture to a pitcher or container. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the punch to become very cold.

   ⏱️ 3+ hours
6. 6

   Serve. Ladle the chilled Sujeonggwa into individual serving bowls or glasses. Garnish each serving with a few pine nuts and a piece of the softened dried persimmon from the punch.

   ⏱️ 5 minutes

💡 Pro Tips

• ✓For a stronger cinnamon flavor, you can add a few whole cloves along with the cinnamon and ginger in step 1.
• ✓Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar to your preference.
• ✓Sujeonggwa is best served ice-cold, making it a perfect palate cleanser or digestif after a rich meal.
• ✓The dried persimmons can be eaten after steeping; they will become soft and jelly-like.

🔄 Variations

• Omit the dried persimmons for a simpler cinnamon-ginger tea.
• Add a few dried jujubes (Korean dates) along with the persimmons for added sweetness and complexity.
• For a spicier kick, add a few whole black peppercorns to the simmering liquid.

🥗 Nutrition

Per serving