There is a flavour that, in many parts of Greece, especially on the islands, accompanies life's happiest moments. Soumada, sweet, refreshing and delicately scented with bitter almond, is far more than a traditional soft drink. It is a gesture of hospitality, a way of sharing joy with the people you love. At weddings, christenings and family celebrations, a glass of soumada is often offered to welcome guests.
Soumada is one of Greece's most distinctive traditional drinks, and its history stretches back through the centuries. It is made from almonds, while its unmistakable aroma comes from bitter almonds, giving it that unique bittersweet flavour that you either fall in love with from the very first sip or never quite acquire a taste for.
I remember soumada from my childhood, yet it is still very much present at celebrations today. It is hard to imagine a festive gathering without it being served ice-cold in tall glasses, ready to refresh both young and old. For me, its aroma is forever linked with cheerful voices, courtyards full of people, beautifully laid tables and homes where there is always room for one more guest.
Its preparation is simple, yet it requires care and patience. The almonds are blanched, peeled and ground to release all their flavour and aroma. Their extract is then combined with sugar and water to create a fragrant syrup, which is diluted with chilled water just before serving. Some people like to add a few drops of rose water or a hint of vanilla, but I believe the authentic flavour of almonds — and above all the distinctive aroma of bitter almonds — is all that is needed to make soumada truly special.
Yet it is not only its flavour and unmistakable aroma that make so many of us love it. It is everything it carries with it. The celebrations, the hospitality, the people we hold dear, and the memories that can all come flooding back with a single sip of soumada...
