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    Home » Drinks » Pennywort Drink (Nước Rau Má)

    Published: Jan 12, 2021 · Last Modified: Jan 7, 2021 by Jeannette ·

    Pennywort Drink (Nước Rau Má)

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    The freshest Pennywort Drink is made with just 3 ingredients! You won’t ever have to buy it in stores again because it’s SO easy to make at home – just blend, strain, sweeten and enjoy. It’s healthy, refreshingly smooth and costs a fraction of what you pay in stores!

    Pennywort drink bring poured into cups

    A refreshingly healthy beverage

    As a kid, trips to the Vietnamese markets with my parents always meant one thing – I would get a delicious meal like Bò Kho (Beef Stew), Bánh Canh Cua (Crab Tapioca Noodle Soup) or Bò Lúc Lắc (Shaking Beef) with Cơm Đỏ (Vietnamese Tomato Rice).

    And with all those intense flavors, a Pennywort Drink was the best way to reset the palate.

    Trouble was, ordering it from the shops meant that it was often diluted and overly sweet. You couldn’t really taste the leafy essence!

    That’s why my family prefers making it at home. It’s as fresh as it can get, sweetened by sugar to your preference. Not to mention, it’s the perfect way to cool down on a hot Summer’s day.

    Make it at home and you can pocket those savings (a fresh Pennywort Drink is a whopping $7 AUD a cup) with plenty of servings for later!

    All about Pennywort

    Pennywort afar and close up

    What it is

    Pennywort (or rau má in Vietnamese) is a swamp-growing plant that can be found in many habitats with wetlands. It is related to the carrot and parsley family and grows across some parts of Asia, Australia, Africa and Europe.

    It is vibrantly green with a flat round leaf that has a thin segment cut into it like a chipped plate. The offshoots are long and thin, sprouting just the one leaf on the end.

    Taste

    If you first smell the plant, it has the earthy scent of carrots. But when made into a Pennywort Drink, you’ll taste a slight grassiness that can be quite bitter when not balanced by a sweetener.

    It’s mildly slimy, often unnoticeable when blended with water and ice. The leafy green can be enjoyed as a sweet beverage or cooked in a stock to be eaten as part of a savory soup.

    Health Benefits

    Ever since I was a little girl, my parents would often tell me that the Pennywort Drink was perfect for cooling the body down when it was too yit hei (overrun by acidic food).

    Drinks like that and Chinese Herbal Tea (涼茶) are believed to balance the body’s harmony.

    But that’s not all! It is also said to be great for the skin and have healing properties for the mind and body, relieving it from stress.

    Definitely worth trying, I say!

    Overhead shot of Pennywort Drinks in glass cups with ice

    Why this recipe works

    • Using fresh pennywort keeps the flavor potent and retains the nutrients.
    • Sugar is dissolved into the water so it is blended in seamlesssly.
    • Stirring the sugar syrup in last retains the sweetness.

    What you’ll need

    Food processor with water, a colander with pennywort, a measuring cup with jug and sugar in a measuring cup

    About the ingredients

    The amount of sugar and water that you use for your Pennywort Drink can be adjusted to preference. If you prefer it greener, use less water and less sugar. If you want it sweeter, add more sugar or use less water.

    We get our pennywort from the local Asian supermarket, but if you can’t find it, ask the staff. Dad had to because they had deliberately stored it in the back!

    How to make this recipe

    Pennywort in water in a sink

    Wash the pennywort by adding 3 tbsp salt to a sink full of cool tap water for 10 minutes. Remove them from the water, then dunk them into new water to soak again. Repeat 2-3 times.

    Note: This is done to remove any impurities or bugs.

    Pennywort in a colander

    Drain the greens in a colander.

    Sugar water in a measuring jug with a spoon in it

    While the leaves are drying, mix the sugar into 1 US cup water until the sugar has completely dissolved.

    Pennywort juice in a blender

    Put all the water and pennywort into a blender and blitz until everything has blended. If your blender is not big enough, divide it into smaller batches.

    Note: Do not add the sugar syrup at this stage yet.

    A spatula pressing into pennywort pulp in a sieve over a bowl of pennywort juice

    Pour the contents through a sieve into a large bowl. Use a spatula or flat utensil to press the juice out of the pulp.

    A spoon skimming foam off pennywort juice

    Use a spoon to skim away the foam.

    Sugar Syrup being poured from a measuring jug into a bowl of pennywort juice with a spoon in it

    Add the sugar water in while gently stirring to combine.

    Tip: Pour the sugar syrup in a little at a time and taste as you go until you find the right balance.

    Serve as is, with ice or refrigerate for later!

    Recipe FAQs

    How long can I store the Pennywort Drink for?

    If kept in the fridge, it can stay fresh for up to 3 days. Ideally, it is consumed on the day of.

    I’m not a fan of the pennywort taste. Can I substitute it for something else?

    The flavor can be quite strong, but there are many other great options including kale, broccoli, celery, parsley and spinach. Have them on their own or mix a few together!

    Tips for the best results

    • Taste as you go. To get the flavor that you prefer the most, taste as you mix the ingredients.
    • Use fresh pennywort. This goes without saying, but make it on the day you buy the plant to ensure the drink is as fresh as it can be.
    • Dissolve the sugar as best you can. You’ll have a much smoother drink without the graininess.
    Pennywort Drink in glass cups with ice

    Refreshing desserts worth sharing!

    • Kem Chuối (Vietnamese Banana and Coconut Ice Cream) – You’ll love this creamy street Summer snack garnished with roasted nuts and coconut cream.
    • Avocado Smoothie (Sinh Tố Bơ) – There’s nothing quite like a luscious and buttery thick dessert like this one.
    • Yum Cha Mango Pancakes (芒果班戟) – Bring the dim sum experience home with fresh mango and cream rolls.
    • Taro and Sweet Potato Balls Dessert (九份芋圓) – A labor of love, this Taiwanese dessert will satisfy your sweet tooth!

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    Pennywort drink bring poured into cups

    Pennywort Drink (Nước Rau Má)

    The freshest Pennywort Drink is made with just 3 ingredients. It's SO easy to make at home - just blend, strain, sweeten and enjoy!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 32kcal
    Author: Jeannette

    Equipment

    • Blender
    • Sieve

    Ingredients

    • 400 g / 0.88 lb pennywort (we get them from the Asian supermarket)
    • 1 L / 4.22 US cup water (for the blending)
    • 1/3 US cup sugar (or to taste)
    • 1 US cup water (for the sugar syrup)

    Instructions

    • Wash the pennywort by adding 3 tbsp salt to a sink full of cool tap water for 10 minutes. Remove them from the water, then dunk them into new water to soak again. Repeat 2-3 times.
      Note: This is done to remove any impurities or bugs.
    • Drain the greens in a colander.
    • While the leaves are drying, mix the sugar into 1 US cup water until the sugar has completely dissolved.
    • Put all the water and pennywort into a blender and blitz until everything has blended. If your blender is not big enough, divide it into smaller batches.
      Note: Do not add the sugar syrup at this stage yet.
    • Pour the contents through a sieve into a large bowl. Use a spatula or flat utensil to press the juice out of the pulp.
    • Use a spoon to skim away the foam.
    • Add the sugar water in while gently stirring to combine.
      Tip: Pour the sugar syrup in a little at a time and taste as you go until you find the right balance.
    • Serve as is, with ice or refrigerate for later!

    Notes

    • Taste as you go. To get the flavor that you prefer the most, taste as you mix the ingredients.
    • Use fresh pennywort. This goes without saying, but make it on the day you buy the plant to ensure the drink is as fresh as it can be.
    • Dissolve the sugar as best you can. You'll have a much smoother drink without the graininess.
    • The amount of sugar and water that you use for your Pennywort Drink can be adjusted to preference. If you prefer it greener, use less water and less sugar. If you want it sweeter, add more sugar or use less water.
    • We get our pennywort from the local Asian supermarket, but if you can't find it, ask the staff. Dad had to because they had deliberately stored it in the back!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 32kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 2g | Sodium: 13mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 8mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag me TODAY!If you recreated this authentic recipe, I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @wokandkin.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Andrea Metlika says

      January 13, 2021 at 2:42 pm

      5 stars
      It helps with balancing the acid in the body and stress, I’m in! Sounds like a very healthy drink.

      Reply
      • Jeannette says

        January 13, 2021 at 7:48 pm

        It certainly is, Andrea!

        Reply
    2. Whitney says

      January 13, 2021 at 2:48 pm

      5 stars
      Wow, three ingredients?! I haven’t tried this before but it looks delicious. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Jeannette says

        January 13, 2021 at 7:49 pm

        You’re welcome, Whitney! I hope you get to try it out soon!

        Reply
    3. Cathleen says

      January 13, 2021 at 4:01 pm

      5 stars
      Okay, I have got to try this drink! I have never tried pennywort, but I would love to try it!!

      Reply
      • Jeannette says

        January 13, 2021 at 7:49 pm

        Thanks, Cathleen! I hope you get to try it very soon!

        Reply
    4. Srikanth says

      January 13, 2021 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      What a delightful and healthy drink to make for the entire family. Love it!

      Reply
      • Jeannette says

        January 13, 2021 at 7:49 pm

        Yes, it’s perfect for the whole family!

        Reply
    5. Rosemary says

      January 13, 2021 at 5:53 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for sharing this recipe. I loved this drink when I was visiting Vietnam and didn’t realize how healthy it is and simple to make. Now, I just need to find pennywort. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Jeannette says

        January 13, 2021 at 7:50 pm

        You’re very welcome, Rosemary! Glad you got to taste it in Vietnam; it certainly is a wonderfully refreshing drink!

        Reply
    5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Pennywort drink bring poured into cups
    Overhead shot of Pennywort Drinks in glass cups with ice
    Pennywort Drink in glass cups with ice
    Pennywort Drink in glass cups with ice over an overhead shot of Pennywort Drinks in glass cups with ice
    Pennywort Drink in glass cups with ice

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