A study on Taste Perception suggests that drinking soda can actually trigger sweet cravings by dulling your sensitivity to sweet tastes, sparking a vicious cycle of eating sweet foods and drinks. Why take your body through such stress when you have healthier, natural, easier options.
The next time you crave unhealthy and carbonated drinks, always remember that there are always healthy alternatives that will quench your craving and have you nourished at the same time.
This piece aims to showcase some of those drinks and explain how anyone can make them for personal consumption.
Zobo:
Zobo drink is a very popular drink consumed by Nigerians any day, anytime. The bright red drink is produced from dried roselle or sorrel leaves (Hibiscus Sabdariffa). Known as Roselle drink in the Caribbeans, as Karkade in Sudan and Argus Fercas in Mexico, Zobo drink is highly laced with huge deposits of vitamin C and is said to be good for hypertensive patients due to the anti-hypertensive properties it contains and is also high in anti-oxidants.
Here is how to make a delicious Zobo drink;
Ingredients:
- 1 medium-sized bowl of dried zobo leaves.
- 20 grams of ginger (grated).
- 1 whole pineapple (blended).
- 3 litres of water.
- Garlic paste (if prefered).
- Any other fruits of your choice for flavour.
Directions:
- Wash leaves thoroughly with warm water and pour into a pot.
- Add clean water.
- Cook in high heat for 15 minutes.
- Sieve the liquid content in a clean bowl.
- Allow the liquid to cool.
- Add the blended/ grated pineapples, ginger and garlic paste and any other fruits of your choice.
You can serve with some ice cubes and garnish with a slice of citrus or cucumber.
Soya Milk:
Soya milk is an excellent replacement for processed diary and loaded with proteins and low in saturated fats. Having this drink is an efficient way of controlling cholesterols, and is completely Lactose-free.
Ingredients:
- 1 teacup of raw soya beans about 300g
- 3 litres of warm water.
- Half a cup of sugar, sweetener.
- I tablespoon of vanilla or chocolate flavours
Directions:
- Wash Soya and soak in water preferably overnight.
- Drain the water and rub in between your palms to peel off the skin.
- Add water to the soaked beans with 2 quarts fresh water.
- Pour into a high-powered blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour the paste into a pot using a fine sieve to remove the chaff.
- Add ginger paste.
- Place under medium heat and boil the paste for 15-20 minutes.
- Stir at close intervals to avoid lump.
- Add sugar, sweetener or flavour to taste.
- Place in room temperature environment to cool and then refrigerate.
Tiger Nut Milk:
Grown majorly in the northern part of Nigeria, Tiger nuts are creamy and can serve as a snack.
It comes with no risk of cholesterol, trans fat or saturated fats.
Here is how to make a cup of Tiger Nuts milk.
Ingredients:
- 400 grams of dried tiger nuts.
- Coconut (make it shredded).
- Dates to serve as a natural sweetener.
- 10 grams of ginger (blended).
- 2 litres of water.
Directions:
- Pour the already softened tiger nuts in a blender.
- Add shredded coconut and softened dates.
- Add water and ginger.
- And blend until smooth.
- Sieve the mixture, using a cheesecloth (twice for a smoother feel).
- Refrigerate before serving.
Your healthy milk drink is ready. Always keep refrigerated for preservation.
Ginger Drink:
Ginger drink is natural to the Ghanaian people. Taking this drink is an excellent way of ridding yourself of toxins using the anti-bacterial properties found in ginger. With ginger in your drink, you will be keeping your blood cholesterol controlled.
Here’s a recipe for your homemade ginger drink;
Ingredients:
- 3 medium ginger ( peeled and grated).
- 1 medium Lemon(with the juice squeezed out).
- 1 teaspoon of cloves.
- 1 cup of natural orange juice.
- Sugar to taste.
- 4 cups of hot water.
Directions:
- Pour the ginger into a pot, add cloves, and hot water.
- Boil for 40 to 50 minutes.
- Add the 3 glasses of water, sugar and orange juice and allow to simmer.
- Sieve the already cool mixture using a fine sieve to remove the chaff.
- Add some lemon juice or any other flavor you like.
- Store preferably in a glass jug and keep refrigerated.
Ginger drink is best served with some cubes of ice.
Dawa:
Dawa is Kenya’s classic cocktail made up of a mixture of vodka, lime juice and honey garnished with a lime wheel and a ‘Dawa Stick’ to stir the honey. It is derived from the Swahili word meaning “Medicine”, as it makes for a refreshing cocktail that will cure whatever minor ailments. It was introduced to Kenya from Brazil.
Ingredients:
- Little drops of vodka.
- 1 table spoon of honey.
- 1 table spoon of brown sugar.
- 1 lime, quartered then cut into chunks.
- Crushed ice.
Directions:
- Place lime chunks, honey and sugar into a glass of crushed ice.
- Cover the rim and shake vigorously to release the lime juice
- Mix with the honey and sugar to taste.
- Add some more crushed ice, then little drops of vodka and stir to combine ingredients.
- Bring up the lime from the bottom of the glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
That is how you make Kenya’s delight.
A great way to maintain optimum health and vitality is to pay close attention to the foods and drinks you consume. Use the hot African weather as an excuse to step to living healthier and replace the junk with natural, healthy drinks.
We would love to know what other cool natural and healthy drinks there are out there…..