One of the most refreshing and nostalgic drinks I grew up with is Calamansi juiceāa sweet and sour citrus drink that always brings back warm memories of childhood. Now, Iāve had the joy of introducing it to my son, Christian, and turning it into something even more special: a song!
What is Calamansi?
Calamansi (pronounced kah-lah-MAN-see) is a small citrus fruit commonly grown in the Philippines. Itās like a tangy cross between a lime, a mandarin, and an orange. People use it to add a splash of sourness to their dishesājust like how you might use lemon or lime. But my favourite way to enjoy it? As a cold glass of calamansi juice, especially on a hot summerās day!
Sweet, Sourā¦ and Funny Faces! š
Making calamansi juice is always a fun little adventureāespecially for kids. The juice can be quite sour on its own, so a spoonful (or two!) of sugar helps balance it out. If youāve ever tasted it straight, youāll know it can make you pull the funniest facesāwhich makes it even more fun when making it with little ones.
That inspired me to write a song about it: The Calamansi Jive!
The Song: Calamansi Jive šµ
I created this song to help kids learn the steps of making the juice through music and movement. Itās easy, engaging, and gets everyone singing, dancing, and squeezing fruit with glee!
Hereās the chorus:
A Calamansi
A Calamansi
A cala, cala, cala mansi!
And just like a recipe, the song has simple step-by-step verses:
Step 1: Letās make some juice and have some fun
Step 2: Pick some fruit for me and you
Step 3: Squeeze and squeeze and squeeze with glee
Step 4: Add some water, now carefully pour
Step 5: Sweeten it up, now do the Calamansi Jive!
š§ Watch and sing along here:
š Calamansi Jive on YouTube
Why Kids Love It (And Grown-Ups Too)
- Itās a sensory experience: squeezing fruit, tasting different flavours, and hearing a catchy tune!
- It introduces children to Filipino culture in a joyful, simple way.
- Itās great for fine motor skills and language development.
- It turns an ordinary drink into a fun family activity or a classroom moment.
Have You Tried Calamansi Juice?
If youāve never had it before, I encourage you to give it a try. And if you haveāwhat’s your perfect sweet-to-sour ratio?
Let me know in the comments belowā¦ and donāt forget to do the Calamansi Jive! šš½šŗš½