Skip to content

Mocktails and cool drinks

Sharbats, lassis, juices and coolers with no alcohol. (485 recipes)

SahlabWarm milk drink

Sahlab is what Cairo drinks on a cold winter evening: a thick, sweet, steaming glass of milk sold in cafés and from street carts, topped with cinnamon, coconut, chopped nuts and a few raisins, and eaten as much with a spoon as drunk. The original thickener is powdered orchid root, which is now rare and protected, so most Egyptian households and many cafés use cornflour or a ready-made sahlab mix instead, as here. Chef's tip: keep whisking from the moment the thickened milk goes in until it boils; stop for a minute and it catches on the bottom of the pan and tastes scorched.

by KrazyBadal 0 views

MateYerba mate tea

Mate is less a drink than a ritual in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay: a gourd (also called a mate) packed with yerba mate leaves, a metal straw called a bombilla, and a thermos of hot water passed around friends, family and coworkers, from the parks of Buenos Aires to long bus rides across Patagonia. One person, the cebador, pours and drinks first, then refills and passes it on. It's grassy, bitter and gently stimulating; sweet versions add sugar. Chef's tip: never use boiling water; at about 75–80 °C the yerba stays fresh for many rounds instead of 'burning' and turning bitter.

by KrazyBadal 0 views

AguapanelaHot panela and lime drink

Aguapanela is simply panela (unrefined cane sugar) dissolved in water, yet it is one of Colombia's most loved drinks: drunk hot at breakfast in Bogotá and the Andes with a slice of fresh cheese dropped in to melt, given to children with a cold, and served iced with lime in the hot lowlands. This page is the hot version; the cold, lime-heavy cousin is Venezuela's papelón con limón. Chef's tip: simmer the panela gently until it dissolves completely and the drink smells of caramel; rushing it leaves sugary lumps at the bottom.

by KrazyBadal 0 views

Vietnamese iced coffee

Cà phê sữa đá is the drink of Vietnam's pavement cafés, and in Saigon people sit on tiny plastic stools sipping it slowly from morning to night. Dark-roast coffee, traditionally robusta, drips slowly through a small metal filter called a phin onto a layer of sweetened condensed milk, then gets stirred and poured over ice. It is strong, sweet, chocolatey and very cold. Chef's tip: bloom the coffee with a splash of hot water for 30 seconds before filling the phin; it should then drip slowly, about 1–2 drops a second, for 4–5 minutes. Too fast and the coffee tastes thin, so press the inner filter down a little more next time.

by KrazyBadal 0 views

Avocado smoothie

In Vietnam the avocado is a sweet fruit, and sinh tố bơ is the most popular shake at Saigon's juice stalls, especially when the buttery avocados from the Central Highlands are in season. Ripe avocado is blended with milk, condensed milk and ice into a pale green shake so thick it is almost a dessert. Drink it with a straw or a spoon on a hot afternoon. Chef's tip: use a very ripe, soft avocado with no stringy bits, and drizzle a little extra condensed milk around the inside of the glass before pouring, the way street vendors do, so you get sweet ribbons as you drink.

by KrazyBadal 0 views

Sorrel drinkHibiscus drink

Sorrel is the drink of a Jamaican Christmas: in December the markets fill with the red flowers (the calyces of a hibiscus), and every home brews a big batch to share. They're steeped with lots of fresh ginger, pimento and cloves, then sweetened, giving a deep ruby drink that's tart, spicy and refreshing over ice. Many families add a splash of white or dark rum for the adults. Chef's tip: be generous with the ginger and let it steep overnight. A long, cool steep pulls out the colour and a fiery ginger bite without the bitterness of over-boiling.

by KrazyBadal 0 views

Limonada suíçaCreamy lime drink

Limonada suíça is the creamy, frothy limeade served in juice bars and lunch counters all over Brazil. Despite the name ('Swiss lemonade'), nobody knows of any Swiss link, and it's made with whole Tahiti limes, blended briefly, skin and all, then strained and sweetened with condensed milk. It's cold, zingy and pale green, perfect with a hot lunch. Chef's tip: blend for no more than 10–15 seconds. Lime peel gives the drink its wonderful perfume, but blended too long it releases bitterness from the pith; serve it straight away for the same reason.

by KrazyBadal 0 views

Jamaican carrot juice

Jamaican carrot juice isn't a thin health drink but a creamy, sweet treat, blended fresh in homes and sold cold in bottles at markets and juice stands across the island, especially on Sundays and at Christmas. Grated carrots are blended with water and strained, then sweetened with condensed milk and spiced with nutmeg, vanilla and a squeeze of lime. Chef's tip: add a squeeze of lime and a little fresh ginger. The sharpness cuts through the sweetness and stops the drink tasting flat, the way Jamaican cooks make it.

by KrazyBadal 0 views

Matcha latte

Matcha (抹茶) is finely ground green tea from Uji, near Kyoto, the heart of Japanese tea-growing for centuries. A matcha latte (抹茶ラテ) is the café version: the powder is whisked to a smooth, frothy shot, then topped up with steamed milk and lightly sweetened. It tastes grassy, creamy and gently bitter. Use any milk you like; oat milk froths especially well. Chef's tip: keep the water at about 80°C. Boiling water scorches matcha and makes it bitter; let the kettle stand for 2–3 minutes after boiling before you pour.

by KrazyBadal 0 views

Mango lassi

A refreshing, lighter mango lassi made with low-fat yogurt: ripe mangoes, yogurt, a little sugar and rose water are blended with water until smooth and frothy, chilled and poured over crushed ice. Perfect on a hot day or with a spicy meal.

by KrazyBadal 0 views

Beet treatBeetroot, carrot and apple juice

A deep red juice of beetroot (leaves and all), carrots and apples. Sweet, earthy and packed with goodness. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

10 minDrinksVeganGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Bunnies bonanzaCarrot and cabbage juice

A bright orange-green juice of carrots, dark cabbage leaves and celery with plenty of fresh coriander and parsley. Earthy and fresh: a carrot drink fit for a bunny. Serve at room temperature.

10 minDrinksVeganGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Green dreamAvocado and yogurt smoothie

A thick, velvety smoothie of ripe avocado blended with skimmed milk, low-fat yogurt and ice, with kelp powder and a pinch of nutmeg. Creamy and filling, almost a meal in a glass. Serve chilled.

5 minDrinksGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Banana milk shake

A thick, frosty milkshake of frozen banana and vanilla ice cream with a good kick of instant coffee. Freezing the banana slices makes it extra cold and creamy without ice. Use less coffee for a milder shake.

10 minDrinksGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Home-made Irish cream

A rich, home-made cream liqueur of whisky, cream, condensed and evaporated milk, melted milk chocolate and a touch of coffee. Sweet, smooth and strong: for adults only. Serve chilled over crushed ice, keep it in the fridge and drink within 3 days.

15 minDrinksGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Tutti fruttiMixed fruit juice

A jewel-bright juice of strawberries, peaches, red grapes, kiwi, pomegranate and passion fruit. Sweet, tangy and full of fruit, it's a treat for children and grown-ups alike. Serve cold or at room temperature.

15 minDrinksVeganGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Fresh punch

A big jug of fresh fruit punch made from mango, passion fruit, pineapple and orange juices, with a splash of tree tomato juice. Cumin, aniseed, salt and a little ginger soda give it a lively sweet-salty-spicy taste. Serve chilled, garnished with chopped apple and mint: perfect for parties.

20 minDrinksVeganGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Rich chocolate shake

A thick, indulgent shake of chocolate ice cream, milk and chocolate syrup, topped with grated chocolate. It's ready in minutes and loved by children. Serve at once, while it's frosty.

5 minDrinksGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Iced coffee

Strong instant coffee, sweetened with brown sugar, chilled and then whizzed with ice until frothy. A splash of single cream on top makes it smooth and rich. Make the coffee ahead so it has time to chill.

55 minDrinksGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Mangobano smoothie

A thick golden smoothie of ripe mango and banana blended with plain yogurt: like a mango lassi with extra fruit. Naturally sweet and filling, it makes a good breakfast on the go. Serve chilled.

5 minDrinksGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Pineapple soda

A creamy, fizzy pineapple drink: pineapple juice, coconut milk and vanilla ice cream blended with fresh pineapple, then topped up with sparkling water. It tastes like a light, alcohol-free piña colada. Serve straight away, with straws.

10 minDrinksGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Passion, banana & apple drink

Passion fruit juice liquidised with banana and apple into a smooth, creamy drink, with a touch of salt to brighten it. Sweet, tangy and filling. Serve chilled, garnished with diced apple.

10 minDrinksVeganGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Oriental magicPineapple, ginger and mint juice

Fresh pineapple blended with a little ginger and a small bunch of mint for a sweet, zingy juice. Quick to make and very refreshing. Serve cold.

10 minDrinksVeganGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Mango & passion juice

A tropical cooler of fresh mango and black passion fruit juice, lifted with ginger juice, lemon and a splash of ginger soda. A pinch of salt balances the sweetness. Serve chilled, garnished with diced apple and fresh mint.

15 minDrinksVeganGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Cucumber sootherCucumber, pineapple and carrot juice

A cool, pale-green juice of cucumbers, sweet pineapple, carrots and celery with a few fresh sage leaves. Soothing and lightly sweet. Serve cold.

15 minDrinksVeganGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Red juiceStrawberry and watermelon juice

A big jug of ruby-red juice made from strawberries, juicy watermelon and tangy tree tomatoes (tamarillos). Light, sweet and very refreshing on a hot day. Make it a couple of hours ahead so it's properly chilled.

20 minDrinksVeganGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Apple & beetroot smoothie

A vivid pink smoothie of sweet apples and cooked beetroot blended with plain yogurt. Earthy, fruity and creamy at the same time. Serve chilled, garnished with diced apple and fresh mint.

10 minDrinksGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Green morning juice

A refreshing green juice of cucumber, green apple, celery, spinach and bottle gourd (dudhi), lifted with parsley, basil and mint. It's light, clean-tasting and best drunk first thing in the morning, as soon as it's made. Taste a small piece of the bottle gourd first: if it tastes bitter, don't use it.

15 minDrinksVeganGluten free
by KrazyBadal 0 views

Masala chai

Proper masala chai is simmered, not steeped: whole spices and fresh ginger are boiled with black tea, then milk is added and brought to a rolling boil to make it rich and creamy.

by KrazyBadal 0 views

Showing 29 of 485 recipes

Page 21 of 21

More collections