We recently discovered Hwachae. It is a Korean dessert made with fruit, fruit juice, and other ingredients. It is quite a revelation. It is not surprising that it has now become very popular. It is a very refreshing dessert that is almost invigorating in this heat.

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It’s a recipe that you may have seen on social media and is currently going viral. However, like many other recipes that have a name and their own history, there are many variations. Hwachae, like many other recipes, is made in many different ways. And as far as we know, it’s a recipe that everyone makes in a unique way.

Probably everyone who makes it or the people there will say that their recipe is the best. This usually happens to all of us when it comes to traditional recipes. I still say (and I will always say) that the chicken soup my maternal grandmother used to make is the best one ever and how each and every chicken soup should be made. At the same time, I will always respect the right of everyone else to say the same thing about the recipes their loved ones make.

That’s part of what’s so great about cooking in general. Those tricks, tweaks, and curious ways of preparing the same recipe that we all have. It is enriching, and that’s precisely where many of the adaptations of dishes and food throughout history come from.

And although I think that many recipes should not be changed much and should remain almost “sacred,” I also firmly believe that there should always be room for creativity, invention, and originality in everything.

So, here we bring you the recipe for Hwachae. In theory, Hwachae is a kind of punch, drink, or dessert made with fresh fruit and usually combined with tea, juices, or carbonated drinks. From there, there are many types of flavors and ways to prepare it. Here, for this recipe, we make one with watermelon, which seems to be one of the most typical.

We wanted to try something different and get inspired. And boy, were we surprised. We think you’ll be surprised too if you’ve never tried it before. It’s a delicious combination. I completely loved it. It feels very healthy when eating it too. It is almost addictive.

I have to confess that I made a large batch for myself with the idea of leaving it in the fridge for a few days and just eat it whenever I felt like it. Well, let me tell you, I almost finished the whole bowl by myself right away. I literally couldn’t stop.

If you’ve tried hwachae before, or if you know more about how it’s prepared and what’s most typical, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

If you like this recipe, you have to check out our watermelon sorbet—you’ll love it!