By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 6
89 cal · 15 min
Orange in Iced Syrup (Som Loy Kaew)
Recipe GLPRe83d628f2281c3
A refreshing Thai-inspired chilled dessert featuring fresh orange segments suspended in a delicate star anise-infused simple syrup served over crushed ice. The aromatic spice and cool sweetness make this a perfect light finale to any meal.
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Ingredients
6 large Navel or Valencia oranges
1½ cups granulated sugar
1 cup water
3 pieces star anise
4½ cups crushed ice
Directions
Combine sugar, water, and star anise in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely. Once boiling, remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature, allowing the star anise flavor to infuse.
While the syrup cools, prepare the oranges. Using a sharp knife, carefully peel away the skin and white pith from each orange, working over a bowl to catch any juice. Separate the orange into segments, removing as much of the remaining white membrane as possible.
Once the syrup has cooled completely, strain out the star anise pieces and discard them. Place the orange segments into the cooled syrup and stir gently to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve, or use immediately.
To serve, divide the crushed ice evenly among 6 serving bowls or glasses. Pour the orange segments and syrup over the ice, ensuring each serving receives an equal amount of fruit and liquid. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing, aromatic dessert.
Comments
This Thai dessert is genuinely easy and cheap to execute in Charlotte—oranges, sugar, and water are pantry staples at every major chain, and star anise is readily stocked at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, and Kroger, so no special trip required. The stated 15 minutes is honest: you simmer the syrup for a few minutes, chill it, then peel and assemble, so execution matches the claim. The real strength is seasonal fit: North Carolina's peak citrus season (late fall through winter) aligns perfectly with when you'd actually want a refreshing chilled dessert made with local or reasonably priced oranges. The only minor knock is that it does not reheat and must be eaten fresh the same night, which limits its utility for busy weeknight families, though for six servings as a light end to a meal it works fine.
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