Food & Dining

Everyone’s getting creative while stuck at home so there’s no reason why you can’t keep busy with this list of drinks to enjoy, straight from the kitchens of the UNRESERVED team.

We have recipes for health tonics, soothing teas and a cheeky cocktail or two that you can try making at home. Nothing complicated here, but they’re full of flavour.

1. Health Booster: If you’re feeling like you need a pick-me-up full of zing and goodness, this drink is sure to make you feel like your immune system got a boost. Have it hot or cold.

Ingredients (Makes 4 servings)

300gm fresh ginger, skin removed

20gm fresh turmeric, skin removed

4pcs lemongrass, hard outer layer removed

Half a piece of gula melaka (palm sugar

3 pandan leaves

2 cinnamon sticks

Method:

Pound the ingredients together or blend using a food processor. In a pot with boiling water, boil for an hour on low heat. Strain and serve. The mixture can be stored in the fridge for a few days.

2. Passionfruit Cooler: The ideal beverage to serve at your dinner parties once the MCO is over. For now, you can enjoy it on your own post dinner, kind of like a zesty dessert drink.

 

Ingredients (Makes 4 servings)

8 ripe passionfruit

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, plus extra for garnish

1/2 cup calamansi juice

1 big bottle of lemonade e.g. Sprite or 7up

Ice cubes

Method:

In a jug, muddle the mint leaves and add passionfruit pulp and calamansi juice. Mix and add the lemonade, top with ice cubes.

3. Apple and Pear Tea

Caffeine-free and fruity, enjoy this in the afternoon accompanied by your favourite tea time snack. Delicious, we have to say!

 

Ingredients (Makes 2 servings)

1 apple

1 pear

Honey to taste

Method:

Boil a pot of water and chop up the apple and pear. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes depending on how strong you like your tea to be. Pour into a cup and add honey.

4. Masala Chai Tea

For those who enjoy their spices, this massala chai tea has a heady, spicy kick. If you like it even spicier and stronger, double up on measurements.

 

Ingredients (Makes 1 large serving)

5–7 green cardamom pods

3–4 whole cloves

1–2 star anise (optional )

5–7 peppercorns (optional)

1 cup of water

2–3 slices ginger

½ cinnamon stick- split lengthwise

1–2 tablespoons loose leaf black tea or 1–2 tea bags

1 cup milk of your choice

2–3 teaspoons honey or sugar or sweetener of your choice

Method:

Lightly crush the cardamom, cloves, star anise and peppercorns. Place in a small pot with 1 cup of water with ginger, cinnamon and black tea. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat and let steep for 10 minutes or for several hours depending on how strong you like your tea. Before serving, add milk, bring everything to a simmer once more and turn off the heat. Sweeten to your liking and strain into a glass.

5. Ice Cream Soda Lassi: This may sound like an unusual concoction but it’s an irresistible one. Milky sweet, it’s so simple yet so tasty, you’ll want to make it all the time.

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients

1/2 cup plain yoghurt

1/4 cup ice cream soda

1/4 cup cold water

Ice cubes

Pinch of salt

Method:

Combine all liquids and stir. Add in the pinch of salt and ice cubes.

6. Red Sangria: A twist on the classic sangria, you can add whatever fruits you have in your fridge. For best results, leave to steep for a few hours before consuming.

 

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients (Makes 1 serving)

1 large wine glass

1 orange wedge

1/4 dragonfruit cut into small cubes

1/4 thinly sliced grapefruit and orange

1 teaspoon of honey

Method:

Cut and slice all the fruits and place into a wine glass. Add honey and squeeze the juice of the orange wedge into glass. Pour in chilled red wine and mix.

7. Spiced Gin and Soda: This cocktail is sugar free but still sweet, thanks to the flavour of the gin. Once you add in the herbs, cucumber and lemon, you won’t even notice the absence of sugar.

 

Ingredients (Makes 1 serving)

1 pour of gin of choice (The Botanist, Hendricks or Monkey 47 are preferable)

A sprig of fresh rosemary (you can use other herbs you may like such as thyme)

Sliced cucumber

Lemon slices

Soda of choice

Ice cubes

Method:

To a glass, add gin, ice cubes and top with soda. Stir and add a lemon slice, cucumber slice and a sprig of rosemary.