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Fruit Cocktail (Fakhfakhina)

If you’ve ever been to the Middle East, you know we take our fruit cocktails and juices seriously

July 24, 2021 at 9:00 am

Summer is here, and although it may not be super hot here in London, I am still craving refreshing summer foods, and when it comes to the Middle East, that includes fresh juices and lots of fruit! Although I am a lover of all things chocolate, in the summer, I lean more cold, fruitier desserts and this one is not only fruity and cold, but also easy and delicious!

If you’ve ever been to the Middle East, you know we take our fruit cocktails and juices seriously. You’ll find a juice shop or stand on every corner, and they are always delicious. This version of a cocktail, called Fakhfakhina, is basically a fruit salad on steroids. It is filled with fruit chunks, juice, and topped with ice cream and nuts; it’s a party in a cup. This version is said to have originated from Egypt, but nowadays, you’ll find it across the Middle East, and it is seen as the “super” or “deluxe” menu option.

The best part about this dessert is that you can totally customise it to your taste and what is in season, as they do in the Middle East. It is also a great way to use up any fruit you have in your house! All you need to do is chop up your fruit, layer it, add juice and top with ice cream and nuts, and voila! You have a cool and refreshing dessert to help you battle the heat.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

1-2 kiwis

8-10 strawberries

1 large banana

1 mango

1-1/2 cup mango juice

2 scoops vanilla ice cream

Pistachios, to garnish

Instructions

  1. Chop up all the fruit to medium-sized pieces and set aside.
  2. You can either mix all the fruit and then place in large cups or layer each fruit separately in your cups.
  3. Once the fruit is in the cup, add in the mango juice.
  4. Top with a scoop of ice cream and garnish with pistachios.