Make this refreshing lemon barley water with just 4 simple ingredients! This healthy and cooling drink is nutty in flavor and can be enjoyed either chilled or hot.
You can either cook lemon barley water on stove or in an Instant pot.On stove - place barley and water in a soup pot, and bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook, partly covered, until the water turns cloudy, about 30-40 minutes.Instant pot - Cook water and barley at high pressure for 20 minutes. Once the timer goes off, quick release the pressure.
You can either strain out the boiled barley or leave it in. Stir in sweetener of choice and lemon juice, and it is ready to be served!
Notes
Helpful tips
If you prefer your barley drink to be more concentrated, reduce the water used to 4 cups.
Use a large enough soup pot for cooking your lemon barley water, as it will bubble and froth up upon boiling.
The boiled barley is edible, and you can serve it along with the water. However, you can choose to strain it out and add them to salads, soups, and stews.
If you want your lemon barley water to be cold, let it cool down completely and refrigerate it for a couple of hours. Add in a few ice cubes before serving.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Nutritional facts calculated is just a rough estimate of barley water without sugar.