Unusual Summer Sips

This summer, why not cool down with these refreshing alcohol-free heat busters that have as their main ingredients a few unusual suspects? From dill and hibiscus to rhubarb and rooibos tea…take your pick!

By Raul Dias

Rhubarb in…
Rhubarbie Doll
Never mind the rather corny pun in its name, this summer drink celebrates a very unusual ingredient like rhubarb with great enthusiasm. Generally used in the west to make jams and dessert sauces, in this mocktail, the tart rhizome is first made into a pulp. A simple syrup of sugar and water is the base, to which diced rhubarb is added along with white wine vinegar to sharpen the flavour. This rhubarb pulp is then shaken with lemon juice, pineapple and cranberry juices and topped with ginger beer.  
At Olive Bar & Kitchen, 14 Union Park, Khar West.
Call 43408229
Cost Rs 220

Fennel and Dill in…
Fennel and Dill Fizz
Served in highball glass, this blushing pink summer cooler is a built-up drink that is the refreshing sum of its fennel stem, and dill leaf parts. Once muddled together, the fragrant, herbaceous mix is topped up with ginger ale, elder flower and cranberry juice and garnished with a dill frond. The main notes that dominate the drink are of fennel and dill, which are naturally sweet in flavour, herbaceous in aroma and extremely zesty.
At Cin Cin, Ground Floor, Raheja Towers, Near Dena Bank, BKC, Bandra East.
Call 69956666
Cost Rs 205

Thyme and Rosemary in…
Trend Setter
Reminiscent of one of our favourite Simon and Garfunkle songs—Scarborough Fair—in whose lyrics thyme stands for courage and rosemary, love, this drink is just what one needs to beat the heat! Jasmine tea, maple syrup, pineapple juice, rosemary and thyme are all blended together to form Trend Setter that is served enveloped in a cloud of dry ice smoke. Sprigs of thyme and rosemary complete the look of this tasty, herbaceous drink.
At The Daily Bar and Kitchen, Ground Floor, Behind Shoppers Stop, SV Road, Bandra West.
Call 9930795318
Cost Rs 450

Rooibos Tea in…
Spiced Passion
Calling rooibos a ‘tea’ is actually a misnomer. A type of herb belonging to the Fabaceae family of plants that can be found growing in South Africa, this tummy soothing herb is legendary for its calming properties. Distilling this goodness into an alcohol-free drink for summer are the guys at The Kettlery. The drink is made up of a tangy lemonade base that is flavoured with fresh rosemary, ginger bread and pumpkin tea. This tea is decocted from rooibos and blended with the intense flavours of gingerbread and pumpkin.
At The Kettlery, Unit no 1, 2nd Floor, Hotel Horizon 37, Juhu Beach, Juhu.
Call 67414777
Cost Rs 300

Rosemary in…
Summer Fizz
With a pink-peach ombre effect to it, this layered mocktail has fresh pomegranate muddled with a homemade rosemary syrup. It is then topped off with lime juice, chilled green tea, and fizzy soda water. Served in a fluted Hawaiian glass, the drink is garnished with a rosemary sprig, pomegranate seeds and edible flowers. Because, what’s summer without a bit of fresh, herby floral action?
At Nom Nom, 1&2, Ground Floor, Delux Mahal Building, 16th Road, Pali Hill, Bandra West.
Call 8291881320/21
Cost Rs 225

Dried Hibiscus Flowers in…
Hibiscus
Known multifariously as jamaica in Latin America, roselle in South Africa and karkade in the Middle East, the blood red extract of the dried hibiscus flower is the ultimate summer coolant. Displaying its versatility as the main ingredient in this eponymous mocktail, steeped hibiscus tea is combined with a sweet and sour syrup and topped off with soda water. All this, resulting in an all-natural drink that lets the tart taste of the dried flowers shine through.  
At The Clearing House, 13-15 Calicut Street, Ballard Estate.
Call 22683030
Cost Rs 235


(An edited version of this article appeared in the 24th April 2018 issue of the Mid-Day newspaper, India on page 23 https://www.mid-day.com/articles/try-these-unique-alcohol-free-drinks-with-a-plant-based-twist-in-mumbai/19351185)