It was a drink I had in Singapore at a restaurant and I have never found it anywhere else since then. Has anyone else ever had this and do you know if I can find it in the U.S.? (I am in southern California)

If you google "barley water" it will bring up several links to sites (wikipedia, food network etc.) that tell you how you can make it yourself.

You also can buy Robinson's Lemon Barley Water at amazon.com.

Thanks Craig. I'm sure I would screw it up if I tried to make it myself. I wondered if this is a common drink in Singapore and if it can be found anywhere else. Perhaps those who frequent Singapore might know?

I've been drinking it since the 80s. I'm from L.A. It's a staple in a macrobiotic eating plan of which I was macro for nearly the whole 80s.
If you're in L.A. just go to a natural market like Erawan, in L.A., on Beverly and Grove, near CBS or maybe Whole Foods and they should have it or make it yourself like many folks who were macro did. Flip through a macrobiotic recipe book which you can find at a natural market. Happy Travels!

I'm pretty sure the Brits are responsible for its presence in Singapore. And a little dictionary digging produces this: "a decoction of barley, used esp. in the treatment of diarrhea in infants. [Origin: 1275–1325] " The OED says much the same, except it specifies pearl barley & omits the infants.

yes barley water is widely available here in the UK

For a long time it was the drink of choice at Wimbledon. In fact I think they used to sponsor the tournament at one point.

I think Robinsons's still sponsor Wimbledon. The recipe is quite simple, all you need is 100g pearl barley, 2 unwaxed lemons, 1 cup or so caster sugar.

Rinse barley in cold water, bring to rapid boil with 1cup water. Drain immediately. Boil barley again, this time with about 1litre water. Simmer till soft, about 45min or so. Strain liquid (you can use the cooked barley in casserole, salad or soup). Add the hot liquid to a jug with sugar, lemon rind (use only the yellow bit) and juice. This is the base concentrate--you dilute with cold water and ice before serving. You can add orange or blackcurrent--two other popular flavours here.

do those of you who've had it think it is delicious? I just want to make sure we're talking about the same drink. This is one drink I had with dinner one night in Singapore in 1989 and I'm still thinking about it and searching. I'll try that recipe, thanks!

Robinsons barley is nice enough on a nice hot English summers day (not that we have too many of those!!), but it is basically just a type of lemon squash (not sure what the American word for squash is!). I like it, but having said that I cannot remember the last time I bought a bottle.

UK lemon squash -> US lemonade
(unlike UK lemonade which is like Sprite)

Barley water is commonly found in Singapore. Easily done at home. Very nice cooling drink especially in hot days.

http://www.makansutra.com/forums/sin...9&forum=10

thanks! I wanted to make sure it was the same drink.... sounds like it. It was sublime to me; probably because I may have enjoyed it in my childhood in Burma.