Ingredients
Base
- 1small watermelon, blended and strained for juice
- or 1 litre Colombiana or a red cream soda
Fruit
- 2mangoes
- 1papaya
- 2bananas
- 300 gpineapple
- 300 gwatermelon flesh
- 2apples
- 200 ggrapes, halved
To finish
- juice of 2 limes
- sugar, to taste
- condensed milk, optional
To serve
- a scoop of ice cream, optional
- in tall glasses with a spoon
Directions
- Strain it properly, because the whole appeal is clear juice with distinct pieces of fruit in it rather than a slush. Chill the juice thoroughly before anything else goes in.
- Cut every fruit into a small even dice, about 1 cm. The pieces have to be small enough to come up a wide straw or fit on a spoon with the juice.
- Use fruit that holds its shape rather than fruit that collapses. Banana goes soft and brown quickly, which is why it goes in last.
- Squeeze lime juice over the apple and banana as you cut them. The lime stops them browning, and it also lifts the whole thing considerably.
- Combine the firmer fruit in a large bowl and pour the cold juice over. Now chill it for at least an hour.
- Add the banana only just before serving. Sweeten with sugar only if the fruit needs it, and taste first. Ladle it into tall glasses, making sure each one gets plenty of fruit as well as juice.
- Stir the bowl as you serve, because the fruit settles and the last glasses otherwise get all of it. Serve it very cold with both a spoon and a wide straw.
Technique
- Colombiana is the caramel soda most often used for the sweet version.
- The fruit mix depends entirely on the season and the region.
- It keeps a day refrigerated, though the fruit softens.
Substitutions
- Any red cream soda in place of Colombiana.
- Bottled watermelon or mixed fruit juice.
Variations
- With a scoop of ice cream on top.
- Made with Colombiana rather than watermelon juice.
- With condensed milk poured over.
History
A hot-weather refreshment sold from street carts and juice bars across Colombia.
Frequently asked questions
What is Salpicón?
Salpicón is a drink from Colombia: chopped fruit in watermelon juice or soda, eaten with a spoon. A hot-weather refreshment sold from street carts and juice bars across Colombia.
How long does Salpicón take to make?
Salpicón takes 25 min plus chilling of preparation and no cooking at all. The recipe makes 6 servings. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Salpicón?
Yes, within limits. Any red cream soda in place of Colombiana. Bottled watermelon or mixed fruit juice.
What is the most important thing to get right in Salpicón?
Strain it properly, because the whole appeal is clear juice with distinct pieces of fruit in it rather than a slush. Chill the juice thoroughly before anything else goes in.
