How to Make Salted Plum Calamansi Tea (Tra Tac Xi Muoi)

TL;DR

Salted plum calamansi tea made right: brew 30g tea 3-5 min, add 2 calamansi, 2 salted plums, 30ml syrup. Sour-salty-sweet, alcohol free, easy at home.

What is salted plum calamansi tea

Salted plum calamansi tea (tra tac xi muoi) is a popular cooling drink in Vietnam that blends the fresh sourness of calamansi (kumquat), the gentle sweet-salty taste of preserved plum and a light fragrant tea base. It is an ALCOHOL FREE drink suitable for the whole family and all ages on hot summer days.

The appeal of this drink lies in the balance of three layers of flavor: sour, salty and sweet. Calamansi brings a fresh citrus aroma, salted plum adds sweet-salty depth, and sugar syrup harmonizes the whole. When prepared correctly, the tea has a clear amber color, a cool fragrance and is very easy to drink.

Because the ingredients are cheap, easy to find and simple to prepare, salted plum calamansi tea is great both for cooling off at home and as a customer favorite for summer drink stalls.

Ingredients to prepare

For one glass of about 350-400ml you need: 1-2 tea bags or roughly 30g of loose tea (green tea or black tea to taste), 120-150ml of brewed tea extract, 2 calamansi fruits, 2 pieces of salted plum without pit and without added sugar, about 30ml of sugar syrup and ice cubes.

Ingredient tips: choose calamansi that is green tinged with yellow, with taut shiny skin, and avoid overly unripe fruit because it tends to taste bitter. Pick soft salted plums that are not coated with extra sugar so you can control sweetness and optimize cost when making large batches.

You can make sugar syrup yourself with a ratio of one part sugar to one part water, simmered until dissolved and then cooled. This helps the sugar blend evenly and avoids gritty residue at the bottom of the glass that you get from using granulated sugar directly.

Close up of a cold salted plum calamansi tea with ice and calamansi slices — Photo: Donald Martinez / Pexels

How to make salted plum calamansi tea step by step

Step 1 - Brew the tea: steep the tea in hot water at about 85-90 degrees C for 3-5 minutes. Do not steep too long or the tea turns bitter and ruins the refreshing taste. After brewing, strain the extract and let it cool slightly.

Tips for a great tea without bitterness

The most important tip is controlling the brewing time. Steeping for 3-5 minutes is enough; longer brewing releases more tannin and creates bitterness. If it gets too strong, you can dilute it with a little cool water.

When squeezing calamansi, always remove the seeds and avoid pressing hard on the white inner pith, which is a source of bitterness. If you like the fragrant calamansi peel, just drop in a few thin slices as garnish rather than crushing the whole skin.

Finally, taste and fine tune the sour-salty-sweet ratio to your liking. A well-made glass should be sour first, lightly salty in the middle and gently sweet on the finish, with a faint tea aroma. Use enough cold ice and drink right away to keep the fresh, cool taste.

Fresh calamansi fruits used to make salted plum calamansi tea — Photo: Polina Kovaleva / Pexels

Topping variations and serving at events

You can vary salted plum calamansi tea with popular toppings such as chewy tapioca pearls, smooth pudding, or extra fresh calamansi slices to boost the citrus aroma. A touch of mint leaf also makes the drink more fragrant and eye catching.

For summer events, outdoor parties or brand activations, salted plum calamansi tea is a signature choice because it cools well, costs little and can serve large numbers. It is also easy to prepare in batches while keeping consistent quality.

If you need professional signature cool drinks for an event, the mobile bar service and bartender team at bartender.com.vn can run an on-site station, design themed ALCOHOL FREE menus and ensure fast service for big crowds. This is a great way to elevate the drink experience for weddings, corporate events or product launches.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Does salted plum calamansi tea contain alcohol?

No, it is a completely alcohol free drink suitable for all ages and the whole family.

How long should the tea brew?

About 3-5 minutes with hot water at 85-90 degrees C; longer steeping makes the tea bitter.

How do I keep the tea from turning bitter?

Choose calamansi that is green tinged with yellow, remove the seeds when squeezing, avoid mashing the white pith and do not over brew the tea.

What toppings can I add?

Tapioca pearls, pudding, fresh calamansi slices or mint leaves all work very well.

What if I want to serve this tea at an event?

You can book the mobile bar and bartender service at bartender.com.vn to mix on site and serve large numbers.