Moroccan · Drink
Zrir (Almond & Sesame Restorative Drink)
Zrir is a thick, sweet almond-and-sesame drink traditionally made for new mothers and served at naming ceremonies — ground almonds, toasted sesame and sometimes a little semolina blended with milk, honey and warm spices into a nourishing, sippable tonic. Rich and comforting, it is both drink and light meal, offered to guests celebrating a birth.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Serves
- 4
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
- 150 g blanched almonds
- 4 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 700 ml milk
- 3 tbsp honey, to taste
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground aniseed
- 1 tbsp fine semolina (optional, to thicken)
Method
- 1
Toast and grind
Lightly toast the almonds and sesame, then grind them as finely as possible in a blender or spice mill.
- 2
Cook the semolina
If using, toast the semolina in a dry pan until golden to add body and a nutty note.
- 3
Blend
Blend the ground almonds and sesame with the milk, honey, cinnamon, aniseed and semolina until as smooth as you can get it.
- 4
Warm through
Warm the mixture gently in a pan, stirring, until it thickens slightly and the flavours meld; do not boil hard.
- 5
Serve
Pour into glasses or bowls and serve warm, adjusting the honey and cinnamon to taste.
Chef's tips
- Grind the nuts and seeds as finely as possible for a smooth drink; a coarse grind makes it gritty.
- Adjust the thickness with more milk — zrir ranges from a thick sippable drink to an almost spoonable one.
- Toasting the sesame and almonds first deepens the flavour and is worth the few extra minutes.
Frequently asked questions
Why is zrir served to new mothers?
Almonds, sesame and honey are energy-dense and traditionally believed to restore strength and support recovery, so zrir is a classic postpartum and naming-day offering.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes; use a nut or oat milk. The drink is already almond-rich, so a plant milk suits it well while keeping it nourishing.