By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 1
409 cal · 15 min
Pod Thai
Recipe GLPR3575f5d9d3c356
A refreshing Thai-inspired sweet herbal drink infused with crushed cardamom pods and fragrant lemongrass. This delicate beverage combines the warmth of cardamom spice with the citrusy notes of lemongrass, sweetened with pure sugar and served as a soothing, aromatic drink.
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Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar
4 cardamom pods, crushed
1 stalk lemongrass, trimmed and thinly sliced
Directions
Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
Add the crushed cardamom pods to the boiling water and let simmer for 2 minutes to release the aromatic oils and spice flavor.
Stir in the thinly sliced lemongrass and continue simmering for another 3 minutes, allowing the citrusy notes to infuse into the liquid.
Add the sugar and stir well until completely dissolved, about 1 minute.
Remove from heat and let the drink steep for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to fully develop.
Strain the beverage through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the cardamom pods and lemongrass pieces, pouring the fragrant liquid into a serving glass.
Serve warm or allow to cool to room temperature before serving, adjusting sweetness to taste if desired.
Comments
Lemongrass and cardamom are specialty items that require a trip to an Asian market or the international aisle at Harris Teeter or Kroger—not a casual weeknight grab—and fresh lemongrass can be hard to find consistently even then. At $1–2 per stalk and $3–5 for cardamom pods, the spice cost runs high for a single serving. The 15-minute time likely ignores prep: bruising cardamom, chopping lemongrass, and infusing sugar all take real work. This is a one-person dessert or beverage that does not keep well and demands focus while it steeps, so it suits someone cooking for themselves and willing to plan ahead for ingredients.
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