Recipe: Lemon barley water

Liquid intake of a nourishing kind is important when you're sick. This old-fashioned drink contains the vitamins of fresh lemons and is not overly sweet.

You could add a little grated ginger if you want a bit more zing.
1 Rinse ¾ cup of pearl barley under cold water until the water runs clear.

2 Place the barley in a saucepan with the zest of 2 lemons and 6 cups of water.

3 Bring to the boil and then simmer for 10 minutes, strain and discard the barley.

4 Stir in the juice of the 2 lemons and half a cup of honey. Cool to room temperature.

This is ready to serve, and you can keep the remainder in the fridge.