Ramadan has arrived, and there’s no better way to celebrate it than with wonderful food and beverages during iftar. We all know how difficult fasting can be, especially during the warm months, and we frequently ignore one of the most important aspects of fasting: staying hydrated. The necessity of drinking plenty of water cannot be over-stressed – but let’s face it, it’s not always easy. Drinking large amounts of water can be a hassle, and store-bought drinks with artificial tastes, colours and high sugar content are just not a healthy alternative.
For Ramadan, the common drink is Sirap Bandung (rose cordial with milk). So, to make staying hydrated fun and easy this Ramadan, we’ve selected seven tasty and easy-to-prepare Ramadan mocktails (obviously non-alcoholic!) that will dazzle your iftar guests while quenching your thirst as the days get hotter.
1. Triple Berry Sparklers
The trick to this wonderful drink is those berry cubes. Start ahead by freezing berries of your choice in coconut water. Use the ice cube tray, it’s way easier and less of a hassle. For the liquid part, mix honey with lime and lemon juice in a jug. Stir till the honey is completely (or kinda) dissolved. Next, grab your sparkling water (any brand you prefer) and pour it into the jug. Give it a good stir and pour into your glasses. Finish off by adding the frozen berry cubes into your drink.
2. Blackberry Virgin Mojito
With fresh mint and citrus, classic mojitos are always refreshing. With an easy mint, simple syrup and fresh blackberries, this non-alcoholic version is just as pleasant as the alcoholic one. All you need is some mint leaves, sugar, sparkling water, lime juice and some ice. In a pot, add some water and sugar, and stir till it dissolves. Using a mortar and pestle, crush some mint leaves and add them to the pot. Let the mixture boil for a couple of minutes and allow it to cool. Once cool, strain out the liquid. Again using the mortar and pestle, crush some blackberries and sugar. Add the mixture at the bottom of the glass. Then, add 2 tablespoons of syrup, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, some honey and your sparkling water. Give it a good stir, add some ice and garnish it with some mint leaves.
3. Juneteenth Punch
Juneteenth, sometimes known as the United States’ “second Independence Day,” commemorates the end of the Civil War and the liberation of enslaved people. But forget about the history; we’re here for the drink. It’s best served in chilled glasses, so get your glasses to sit in the refrigerator while you stir up your magic portion. In a large bowl, mix cranberry juice, pineapple juice, orange juice, lemon juice and ginger ale (or you could use 7up). Give it a good stir and pour into your chilled glasses. For the toppings, add some strawberries, cherries or any fruit that you prefer. You could add ice cubes, but replacing ice with strawberry sorbet gives you a fancy and creamier option.
4. Sparkling Lavender Lemonade
Lavender is known to give a sense of calmness. So, rest assured that you’ll not only feel calm but refreshed with this drink. You’ll need some dried edible lavender, lemon juice, sparkling water and sugar. In a pot, combine sugar with 1 cup of water and some dried lavender. Bring it to a low boil and stir till the sugar is well dissolved. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool. Grab a jug and pour the syrup into it without the lavender. Add in your lemon juice and sparkling water and stir well. Finish off with lemon wedges and lavender sprig and enjoy!
5. Watermelon Basil Bliss
Who doesn’t love watermelon? Not only are they refreshing, they’re easy to get. So you can have this beverage at any time of the day. Using a blender, add in chopped watermelons, basil, lime juice and some sugar and blend till smooth. This part is entirely up to you, you could strain the mixture (if you prefer a smooth drink) or just pour it as it is. Garnish your drink with fresh basil and lemon wedges (or sliced watermelon).
6. Mango Lemonade
Looking for a fruity, citrusy and refreshing drink? Then you should try this lemonade. This drink, which is made with sugar, water, lemon, and mangoes, is ideal for bringing you sunshine at any time of year. You’ll need one to two mangoes, lemon juice, water and sugar. For your simple syrup, simply mix water and sugar and bring it to a boil. Using a blender, blend your mangoes with 3 cups of water till smooth. In a jug, strain your mango mixture, add in your syrup, lemon juice and add some water. The consistency is up to you. If you want it more runny, just add more water. Garnish with some mango cubes, add some ice and your drink is done. You could choose to add sparkling water to sizzle up your drink.
7. Rainbow Ribena Sangria
Refreshing and colouful, this drink is definitely Insta-worthy. The beautiful layers of fruit don’t only bring freshness, but are pleasing to the eye as well. For this to work, you’ll need a tall, transparent glass. The star of the show is the Ribena cordial. Start by adding 2 spoons of Ribena. Next, layer in your choice of fruits. Be creative, grab colourful fruits like strawberry, blackberry, kiwi and pineapple to make it look pretty. Once done, gently pour in chilled ice cream soda, 7up or sparkling water and enjoy. You can add ice if there’s space, but to avoid overcrowding your drink, best skip the ice.
More on Ramadan? Read this:
https://lipstiq.com/ramadan/195592/100-charged-superfoods-to-eat-during-sahur-to-keep-you-energized-all-day/
