Nuoc mia is a popular Vietnamese street drink made by pressing fresh sugarcane and serving the pale green-gold juice over ice.
Kumquat adds enough fragrant acidity to balance the cane without masking its clean grassy sweetness.
Press sugarcane only with equipment rated for the hard stalks and serve the juice immediately.
Serving Suggestions
Pour over plenty of ice and pair with banh mi, grilled meats, or savory snacks.
Recipe Notes
Freshly pressed juice is best consumed at once and should not be stored at room temperature.
Vietnamese Nuoc Mia
Fresh Vietnamese sugarcane juice brightened with kumquat and poured over ice.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Press the Cane:
- Feed the sugarcane through a clean press or a heavy-duty juicer rated for cane. Pass the flattened cane through a second time if the machine allows.
- Press or squeeze six kumquats with the cane, then strain the juice into a chilled pitcher.
Serve:
- Stir in the optional pinch of salt. Taste and add more kumquat only if needed to balance the sweetness.
- Divide ice among four glasses, pour over the fresh juice, and garnish with the remaining kumquat halves. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Notes
- Use equipment specifically designed to process hard sugarcane; ordinary household juicers may be damaged.
- Fresh sugarcane juice oxidizes quickly, so press it only when ready to serve.
