Refreshing mocktails made with natural coolants are a perfect way to beat the heat

“Orafee is a refreshing drink that’s made with filter coffee decoction and orange with skin. Add orange with skin (half) in filter coffee decoction (30 ml) and muddle it. Add sugar syrup (15 ml), ice and top up with soda,” says Tilak, who also shares recipes of kokum mojito, mango rossotini and aloe refresher.

INGREDIENTS

Kokum crush: 15ml

Mint leaves: 6 springs

Lime juice: 15ml

Soda: top up

METHOD

Add all ingredients in a glass/shaker. Add ice and top up with soda

INGREDIENTS

Fresh mango juice: 60ml

Vanilla ice cream: half scoop

Rose syrup: 10ml

METHOD

Add all the ingredients in a shaker, add ice and shake well

Strain and pour in a glass

INGREDIENTS

Aloe vera: 4 tbsp

Mint leaves: 6-8 springs

Lime juice: 15ml

Soda: top up

METHOD

Add all the ingredients in a shaker/glass. Add ice and top up with soda Tilak also points out that it is important to boost immunity during this period. “There is something called hot drink that improves the immunity. It is made of tulsi leaves (10), turmeric powder (1tsp), cinnamon powder (3 tsp), dry ginger powder (1 tsp), and whole black pepper (4-5 pods). Add all these ingredients in water and let it boil. Strain the water and pour it in a glass,” he says.

Kishore Nath, the bar manager from Bass & Soda, says that lockdown has helped people experiment with new dishes and beverages at home. “If you have liquor at home, you can try making cocktails at home with the staple summer fruits. Watermelon basil gingerita is an easy cocktail you can make at home. We usually use gin to prepare this. But if there is no gin, you can use any white spirit like vodka or white rum. Muddle 6 watermelon chunks and 5 ginger knobs. To this mixture, add gin (60 ml), lime juice (15ml), simple syrup (15 ml). Shake it hard with ice cubes, strain and garnish with 2 basil leaves (or mint leaves),” shares Kishore.