Calamansi Juice: The Hidden Gem in Citrus Family

Calamansi Juice is a tangy and refreshing citrus beverage I recently discovered. I used to love classic lemonade and orange juice. But this tiny citrus fruit completely changed my game.

Calamansi juice recipe

Calamansi juice is a popular beverage made from the calamansi fruit. This fruit is a small citrus native to the Philippines and widely used in Southeast Asian cuisine. It resembles a tiny lime or tangerine and has a distinctive sweet-tart flavor.

Easy and healthy calamansi juice
Recipe for calamansi juice

Calamansi juice is not as overpoweringly sour as lemons. It retains the sweetness of oranges but introduces a nuanced tartness. This juice is a staple in Filipino cuisine. It’s used not only as a beverage but also as a condiment, marinade for meats and seafood, and an ingredient in desserts and baked goods.

This citrus juice is a powerhouse of nutrients with vitamin C, antioxidants, and other essential minerals. It boosts immunity, aids digestion, and controls cholesterol levels. It even contributes to weight management as an effective weight-loss juice.

It promotes collagen production for healthy skin and wound healing. It offers skin care benefits by reducing blemishes and aging signs with antioxidants. Lastly, it helps manage blood sugar levels by influencing insulin, making it beneficial for diabetics.

So, the next time you’re craving a citrusy refreshment, consider reaching for this drink. This is how to make Calamansi Juice:

Calamansi juice benefits with honey

Simple Calamansi Juice

A refreshing Filipino citrus drink made from small, aromatic calamansi limes. Popular throughout Southeast Asia, this vitamin C-rich drink is perfect for hot days.
4.45 from 34 votes
Prep Time 14 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 14 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Asian
Servings 4

Nutrition

Calories: 100kcalSaturated Fat: 26gSugar: 25g

Ingredients
  

  • 20-25 Calamansi
  • 4 cups water
  • Honey or sugar to taste
  • Ice cubes optional
  • Mint leaves for garnish optional

Instructions
 

  • Cut the Calamansi in half and extract the juice. You can use a citrus juicer or your hands to squeeze the juice. Strain the seeds and pulp.
  • In a pitcher, combine the fresh Calamansi juice with 4 cups of water. Adjust the water quantity based on your preferred level of tartness.
  • Add honey or sugar to the juice, stirring until it dissolves. Adjust the sweetness according to your preference.
  • Add ice cubes
  • Pour the Calamansi juice into glasses. Garnish with mint leaves if desired.
Keyword calamansi juice, healthy beverages, homemade drink, homemade fruit juice, summer drinks
Love this recipe?Let us know how it turned out! 🍸

How to use and pair

Calamansi juice is a versatile ingredient in baking. It adds a citrusy flavor to pies, cakes, cookies, and custards like calamansi bars and meringue pies. It also works well in refreshing beverages, such as calamansi spritzer, fizzy lemonade, and carbonated tonics, or as a base for wellness drinks like immunity elixirs and detox water.

In Filipino cuisine, this juice is used in dipping sauces (sawsawan), often mixed with soy or fish sauce for fried foods and grilled meats. It also tenderizes meats in marinades for dishes like Chicken Inasal, ceviche, and Beef Bistek. Additionally, it brightens soups like Sinigang and Adobo and adds zest to salad dressings, salsas, and guacamole.

It adds a tangy twist to grilled chicken or pork skewers, perfect for summer barbecues. The citrusy punch also elevates salads with greens, avocado, or grilled chicken.

In fish tacos, a splash of calamansi enhances the seafood’s freshness and balances the toppings. Its versatile flavor makes it a great addition to various dishes, from grilled meats to light, refreshing meals.

Variations

There are many variations of calamansi juice you can try:

  • Calamansi Lemonade blends calamansi juice with water and sugar for a refreshing, classic lemonade.
  • Calamansi Mint Juice adds fresh mint leaves for a cool, aromatic twist.
  • Calamansi Soda swaps plain water with soda or sparkling water to enjoy a bubbly version.
  • Calamansi Honey Ginger Tea replaces sugar with honey and mixes in ginger syrup for a soothing herbal drink.
  • Turmeric Ginger Calamansi Tea substitutes lemon with calamansi juice in turmeric tea for an extra burst of citrus flavor in this health-boosting beverage.

34 thoughts on “Calamansi Juice: The Hidden Gem in Citrus Family”

  1. 5 stars
    This is perfect timing! I just bought a bunch of calamansi from the market and was wondering what to do with them. Now I have the perfect recipe!

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    I love trying out new recipes, and this calamansi juice recipe is next on my list. Thanks for sharing such a refreshing idea!

    Reply
  3. 4 stars
    My grandma used to make calamansi juice for us when we were kids, and it always brings back fond memories. So glad to have found this recipe to recreate that taste!

    Reply
  4. 4 stars
    I’ve always been a fan of citrus fruits, but calamansi has quickly become my favorite thanks to this article. The tangy-sweet flavor is just irresistible!

    Reply
  5. 5 stars
    After trying store-bought calamansi juice, I was skeptical about making my own. But this recipe blew me away! It’s so much fresher and more flavorful.

    Reply
  6. 4 stars
    Calamansi is one of my favorite ingredients in Filipino cuisine. This juice is sunshine in a glass! Definitely giving this recipe a try.

    Reply
  7. 4 stars
    I could drink calamansi juice by the gallon! Love how this recipe keeps it simple to really let that amazing citrus flavor shine.

    Reply
  8. 5 stars
    Calamansi juice is such a refreshing and delicious tropical treat! This recipe looks perfectly tart and sweet for me.

    Reply
  9. 4 stars
    I’ve been hoping to find a good calamansi juice recipe. This one seems so simple but allows that amazing flavor to really shine through.

    Reply
  10. 3 stars
    For anyone who hasn’t tried calamansi before, this juice is a game-changer. Such a bright, unique citrus taste you can’t get anywhere else.

    Reply
  11. 5 stars
    Reminds me of the fresh calamansi juice I used to get from street vendors when visiting Vietnam. Can’t wait to make this at home!

    Reply
  12. 4 stars
    My calamansi tree is absolutely loaded this year. So excited to have a great recipe to use up all that fresh fruit!

    Reply
  13. 5 stars
    Love calamansi! The flavor is like a mix of lime, orange and lemon. This juice looks like the perfect way for me to cool down on a hot day.

    Reply
  14. 4 stars
    Omg this calamansi juice is SO refreshing! Perfect for hot summer days. I added a bit of mint and it was chef’s kiss

    Reply
  15. 5 stars
    This juice is addictive! I’ve been making it every weekend. Pro tip: it makes an awesome mixer for cocktails too 😉

    Reply
  16. 5 stars
    First time trying calamansi and wow, what a unique flavor! It’s like a mix between lime and mandarin orange. This juice is perfect for hot summer days. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  17. 4 stars
    Loved the recipe, but where can I find calamansi in the US? Had to substitute with lime and it wasn’t quite the same. Any tips?

    Reply
4.45 from 34 votes

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