Hoi An Ancient Town is a charming destination in Central Vietnam that attracts you not only its quaint, romantic, and peaceful features but also diverse cuisine as well as Cao Lau – a kind of noodle, Banh Mi, or chicken rice. However, have you ever tried Mot Drink Hoi An during your trip? If not, you missed something that belongs to Hoi An. Let’s see how special this drink is!
What is it and Why is it called “Mot” Drink?
Mot Drink or “Nước Mót” in Vietnamese is lemongrass lemonade or the “classy water” of Hoi An. Every tourist including domestic tourists or foreign tourists will love it at first sight when try it. This traditional drink has been crafted using a century-old family recipe named An Thái Ông Thầy Tải – 100 Strong Emperors, which gives it a uniquely delicious and distinctive flavor profile that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
The key ingredients in Mot Drink Hoi An’s herbal elixir include lemon, ginger, lemongrass, chrysanthemum flowers, dried lotus leaves, green tea leaves, and honey – a combination that helps detoxify the body, reduce heat, and boost overall health. It’s also considered a detox drink but tastier and cheaper.
The name “Mot” or “Mót” (in Vietnamese accent) actually originates from the affectionate nickname of the young man, Nguyen Huu Xuan, who was the first to invent and sell this novel beverage to Hoi An tourists. He later opened a dedicated shop under the name “Mot”, making it easy for everyone to remember.
Mot drink is not just beloved for its taste and affordability, but also for its visually striking presentation. Each glass is artfully adorned with lotus leaves and lotus stems, showcasing the bartender’s artistic flair.
Why it is the must-try in Hoi An Ancient Town?
Hoi An is renowned for its delectable and unique local delicacies, and Mot drink is undoubtedly one of the must-try specialties of the ancient town. Here’s why:
- Refreshing and Revitalizing: On a hot, humid day in Hoi An, the crisp, zesty, and subtly sweet Mot drink provides a wonderfully refreshing respite. The blend of citrus, ginger, and herbal notes energizes and rejuvenates the senses.
- Quintessential Local Flavor: Mot drink is an authentic expression of Hoi An’s culinary heritage, crafted using time-honored recipes and local ingredients. Sipping on this beloved beverage allows you to truly immerse yourself in the town’s rich cultural tapestry.
- Photogenic Delight: The artistic presentation of Mot drink, with its floating lotus leaves and stems, makes it a highly Instagram-worthy treat. Capturing and sharing these visually stunning drinks has become a cherished ritual for many visitors to Hoi An.
- Health Benefits: The carefully curated blend of ingredients in Mot drink offers a host of beneficial properties, from detoxification to immune system support. Indulging in this refreshing elixir allows you to quench your thirst while nourishing your body.
Where to find this special drink?
There are many tea shops offering this kind of drink but The quaint and charming café, Quan Mot, boasts an exceptional location at 150 Tran Phu, HoiAn Ancient Town is the most famous one. It is not only well-known for lemongrass lemonade water but also famous for its decor and other traditional drinks. After you have toured Hoi An – The Ancient Town, passing by 150 Tran Phu Street, you will be attracted by a small teashop which decor simply with a vase of fresh lotus, 2 small desks, a pot of lemongrass lemonade water. Because it is a small teashop, it just offers takeaway service.
This popular café opens daily from 08:00 AM to 10 PM every day. Here, you can immerse yourself in the poetic and glimmering ambiance, with the iconic lanterns illuminating the historic streets.
A glass of Mot Drink Hoi An only costs VND 12,000 (about 50 cents). It’s really cheap for a great drink. You will be amazed by its flavor. This special drink has a special flavor that you can not describe in the word. It has the light sweetness of sugar, sour lime juice, and a great fragrance of cinnamon, lemongrass, jasmine, and ginger. It brings to you the refreshing and relaxation. It’s served cold and decorated with a lotus petal, a green tea leaf, and a Chinese date. It’s really eye-catching.
How to make lemongrass lemonade at home?
Of course, with this delicious detox drink, you can make it at home to bring a taste of Hoi An into your own kitchen from simple ingredients that you can find at any market. Here’s a simple recipe to follow (Which is the same formula as about 80% of the original in Hoi An Town):
Ingredients (for 1 liter of Mot Drink Water):
- 4 chunks of lemongrass
- 2 tablespoons of honey or palm sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- A piece of ginger
- 2 limes
- Ice
- Some lotus petals (for decor only)
When you get everything on hand, let’s follow these easy steps below:
Step 1: Lightly pound the lemongrasses and ginger which help them to release essences, then boil them and cinnamon with 1 liter of water.
Step 2: Put palm sugar or honey to your taste. If you don’t have palm sugar or you don’t like the honey taste, you can use regular sugar instead. But, palm sugar is the most suitable choice.
Step 3: Use a sieve to remove all the ingredients after boiling.
Let it cool down and add lime juice. Put some ice cubes and enjoy or it can be served when it’s still warm. You can keep the leftover lemongrass lemonade water in the fridge and use it within a day and decorate some lotus petals above to look more beautiful and bring the states of Hoi An in the most similar way.
Hope with this recipe from Indochina Voyages Team, you can enjoy the breath of Hoi An in your own house. And if have a chance to visit charming Hoi An Ancient Town don’t miss a chance to enjoy this lovely drink. It’s not because it’s tasty or cheap but it brings you an indescribable feeling, this special drink absolutely will be more delicious when you taste it not only by mouth but also in all your senses, and special in Hoi An’s atmosphere!
Thuy Dang – From Indochina Voyages Team
