In the scorching summer heat, one of the most refreshing drinks in Bangladesh is wood apple delight, also known as bel er shorbot. Honestly, the name doesn’t quite do justice to this incredible non-alcoholic drink—but its earthy sweetness and perfectly balanced flavor are enough to rejuvenate you on even the hottest days.

Wood apple (Aegle marmelos), or bel, is not only delicious but also widely appreciated for its digestive and natural cooling benefits. It’s one of the most common and beloved summer fruits in Bangladesh. I was lucky enough to get a bel recently when my husband traveled to Bangladesh in April—the peak season for enjoying bel er shorbot, since April is the hottest month and nature provides this fruit as the perfect natural coolant.

To make the simplest Bel er shorbot, we just need cold water and sugar. And of course a ripe wood apple.

Normally wood apple looks like a cannon ball, which has a tough, woody exterior that needs to be cracked open to reveal a soft, brown, aromatic pulp inside. The ripe wood apple has a distinct sweet aroma you can smell from outside.

When you break open the outer hard shell, you will see the soft light yellow pulp. The pulp has non edible seeds and fibers hidden inside. Pulp is the main ingredients for the fruit punch.

To make the punch, we have to first scoop the pulp with a help of a spoon.

I kept all the pulp in big bowl and added some sugar.

Now it’s time to dig in—literally. Use your clean hands to mash the pulp together with the sugar. No forks, no blenders—just your hands. This method helps loosen the fiber and separate the seeds naturally. If you use a blender, the seeds will break and mix into the pulp, which can ruin the taste.

Next, I added water and mixed it thoroughly with the pulp. As you can see, I used my hand as a natural sieve to separate out the fibers and seeds. You can also use a regular strainer if you prefer. Feel free to add more water if you want a thinner, more runny juice.

Here’s how much I picked up the fibers and seeds from the pulp.

Now its time to decorate and serve the wood apple delight. You can add more sugar and ice according to your taste.

Recipe: Wood Apple Delight, Serves: 4

Ingredients: Wood Apple – one, ripe Sugar – 200 g or to taste Water – half liter or upon requirement

1. Crack open the wood apple with a morter. 2. Scoop the inner flesh with a help of a spoon and gather them in a large bowl. 3. Add sugar to the pulp and mush it with clean hand. 4. Add water to dilute. Remove all the fibers and seed. 5. Serve it cold and garnish with ice.