All About Nước Chanh Muối

Fact: Nước chanh muối can be an effective homemade sports drink.

#11 in Vietnam

Nước Chanh Muối: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/nɨək˧˥ ʈ͡ʂaːm˧˥ mwi˧˧/ or
/nuhwk chahn moo-oy/

Alternative Name(s)

Drink Type

Hot non-alcoholic beverages, cold non-alcoholic beverages.

Mealtime

Anytime

Popular Variations

Nước chanh muối

Nước Chanh Muối: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Nationwide Origin

Associated Region

Unspecified

Nước Chanh Muối: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Limes (usually key limes), salt, and water

Main Preparing Method

Pickling

Preparation Process

Pickling the limes in salted water and using the salted limes to make nước chanh muối.

Nước Chanh Muối: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

Common drink for all seasons in Vietnam, especially during summer

Taste

Salty, sour, and sweet

Texture

Liquid

Aroma

Citrusy and briny

Color

Clear or cloudy

Serving Style

Served in a glass, often with a piece of pickled lime

Serving Temperature

Hot or cold

Accompaniment

No accompaniment

Occasions

On any occasions

Calories

105 calories, according to data of MyFitnessPal for one bottle (390 ml) of nước chanh muối.

Popularity

Vietnam

Popular Similar Drinks

Switchel
Shikanji
Lemonade

Popular Dining Area

Local households and restaurants

Nước chanh muối, literally “salty limeade,” is a traditional Vietnamese drink made from salted and pickled limes (especially key limes), water, and optional sweeteners like sugar or honey.

It can be enjoyed hot or with ice at any time of the year. There is a variation made with soda water called soda chanh muối.

Some people like to replace limes with lemons. I will go deeper into the preparation of nước chanh muối before discussing its advantages and disadvantages.

Next, I will cover commonly asked questions about nước chanh muối and suggest similar beverages.

Key Points

Nước chanh muối is a Vietnamese non-alcoholic beverage with salted, pickled limes, and water as the main ingredients.
Nước chanh muối is usually known as salty limeade or lemonade in English.
Nước chanh muối can be served hot or with ice.
Nước chanh muối is good at hydrating the body and replenishing lost electrolytes.

Nước Chanh Muối Images

How Is Nước Chanh Muối Prepared?

Making nước chanh muối involves the following 3 steps.

Step	Instruction
Preparing limes	Rubbing the limes with a rough surface to release the essential oil Soaking the limes in a potassium alum solution for at least 30 minutes Letting the limes drain
Salting and pickling limes	Adding the limes to a glass jar, then pouring salted water into it Pickling the limes for approximately 1 month
Making nước chanh muối	Adding a pickled lime, pickled lime juice, fresh lime juice (optional), sugar or honey, and hot or cold water to a cup Using more water for the hot version and less for the iced version

While the long pickling time seems like a shortcoming of nước chanh muối, this Vietnamese beverage has many benefits that improve its popularity.

Pros and Cons of Drinking Nước Chanh Muối

Nước chanh muối has the following upsides and downsides.

Pros

Refreshing Taste: Many find the combination of sourness and saltiness in nước chanh muối a novel sensation.
Hydration: Nước chanh muối is excellent at keeping the body hydrated, especially in hot climates or after exercise.
Electrolyte Balance: The salt in the salty limeade can help to replenish electrolytes lost through sweat.
Vitamin Content: Nước chanh muối is high in vitamin C, which is important for immune function, skin health, and iron absorption, among other things. Many Vietnamese people consider this beverage a cold remedy.
Low Calorie: Nước chanh muối is a low-calorie option when not excessively sweetened.

Cons

Sodium Content: People who want to reduce their salt intake may not be pleased with the added salt.
Acidity: People with sensitive stomachs or prone to acid reflux shouldn’t drink nước chanh muối regularly, or they may suffer from its acidity.
Interactions with Medications: Lemon juice can interact with certain medications, altering their effectiveness.
Preparation Time: Making nước chanh muối at home may require many weeks to pickle the limes.

You’re now well aware of the plus and minus points of nước chanh muối, but there are still many facts to discover in the FAQs section.

Nước Chanh Muối FAQs

Yes, nước chanh muối can be part of a healthy diet for weight loss as long as it isn’t sweetened with too much sugar or similar ingredients.

Yes, nước chanh muối is very good for people suffering from a hangover due to its water and salt content.

Yes, nước chanh muối can be enjoyed as a sports drink after exercises or workouts.

No, people suffering from high blood pressure shouldn’t consume nước chanh muối.

Morning is the optimal time to drink nước chanh muối. You can drink a small amount of nước chanh muối in the morning every day to get the best out of this beverage.

Yes, you can find bottled nước chanh muối products in Vietnamese food stores or supermarkets.

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Adam Sam

Senior Food and Drink Editor

Expertise

Food Writer & Recipe Developer, Recipe Tester, Bartender, Cooking-video Maker, Editor In Chief

Education

University of Gastronomic Sciences – Pollenzo (Italy) (MA Food Culture, Communication & Marketing)
Johnson & Wales University (US) (Baking and Pastry Arts)
Professional Bartender at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Adam Sam, an experienced food writer and recipe developer, is passionate about blending diverse culinary traditions, national dishes, and innovative beverages, showcasing his proficiency in both traditional and modern recipe testing.

As the Editor-in-Chief, he elevates culinary content from street food to fine dining, focusing on Western cuisine and types of drinks at azcuisines.com, and is professional in creating engaging cooking videos that simplify complex dishes and ingredients.

His passion for food is evident in his writing, where he uniquely merges various cultures, traditions, and contemporary trends, skillfully combining classic recipes with modern cooking methods.