In brief
- Awa di lamunchi is a traditional lime lemonade, served ice cold
- Origin: Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, the ABC islands of the Caribbean
- Key ingredients: lime, water, sugar
- An everyday drink in the heat, also sold ready-made in local shops
Origins and cultural history of awa di lamunchi
In Papiamento, the creole language spoken in Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire (the ABC islands, in the Dutch Caribbean), “awa” means water and “lamunchi” means lime: awa di lamunchi is therefore literally lime water. This lemonade is one of the everyday drinks on these three Caribbean islands, where the constant heat makes it a sought-after refreshment.
It is made by mixing cold water, lime juice and sugar, sometimes using a method in which the sugar is first dissolved hot with a little water to form a syrup, before adding the lime juice and the rest of the very cold water. It is found both homemade and sold ready-made in local shops.
What are the essential ingredients of awa di lamunchi
Awa di lamunchi is made from three simple ingredients; NKOSI sells lime juice, for convenience, and cane sugar.
- lime
- water
- sugar
- ice cubes
What to know about awa di lamunchi
Awa di lamunchi is a lemonade from Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, the ABC islands of the Caribbean. In Papiamento, "awa" means water and "lamunchi" means lime: it is literally lime water. It is made with cold water, lime juice and sugar, and served very cold, with ice. It is the everyday drink in the heat, made at home or bought ready-made in local shops.
Frequently asked questions about awa di lamunchi
Can the amount of sugar in awa di lamunchi be reduced?
Yes, the amount of sugar can be adjusted freely to taste: the recipes consulted present it as an adjustable point, with some versions noticeably sweeter than others.
Is awa di lamunchi made only with fresh lime?
Traditionally yes, but the pressed juice can be replaced with a shop-bought lime juice when fresh fruit is not available, without changing the preparation method.
Where to find the ingredients for awa di lamunchi in France?
NKOSI sells the lime juice and cane sugar for this recipe and ships them from the Paris area within 24 to 72 working hours, to mainland France (2 to 3 working days) and to ten European countries. The minimum order is 39 €: in France, delivery to a pickup point is then free, and home delivery is free from 69 €.
