New Delhi: National Refreshment Day is observed on the fourth Thursday of July, which was on July 27 this year. It is a special day dedicated to enjoying and celebrating refreshing beverages and treats that offer a moment of relaxation and rejuvenation. Refreshing beverages have been an essential element of the summer experience since its inception.
National Refreshment Day was established in 2015 with a simple idea: enjoy an ice-cold, revitalising drink during the warm summer afternoons. This day was created by Traveller Beer, an American beverage brand based in Burlington, Vermont, to bring attention to and highlight the cool flavours of summer libations. Despite the fact that Traveller Beer is no longer in business, the establishment of National Refreshment Day is still celebrated as an important contribution!
So, if you haven't celebrated it yesterday, you can celebrate it today and make an interesting inclusion to your weekend parties. From mocktails to other yummy treats, here is a list of recipes that will indeed make your 'belated refreshment day' memorable.
1. Guyana Passion (By Ripon Biswas, Bar Executive, Raasta Kolkata)
Ingredients:
- Orange juice - 60 ml
- Pineapple juice - 60 ml
- Passion fruit syrup - 10 ml
- Lime juice - 10 ml
- Grenadine - 5 ml
- Top up - lemonade
Method:
- Pour all the ingredients into a shaker. Shake well and strain it into the cocktail glass.
- Add ice & top it up with lemonade.
2. Dragon Fruit Mojito (By Malik Sheikh, Bartender, Novotel Goa Resort & Spa)
Ingredients:
- Lemon chunks - 4gms
- Basil leaves - 2gms
- Dehydrated dragon fruit - 8gms
- Lavender syrup - 30 ml
- Lemon juice - 20ml
- Simple syrup - 15ml
For Garnish:
- Basil pluck
- Dragon fruit
Method:
- Firstly, add lemon chunks about 3 to 4 numbers followed by some freshly squeezed lemon juice and lavender syrup.
- Then add a dash of simple syrup, add some cubes of dragon fruit, and basil leaves.
- Scoop it up with ice and finally top it up with sparkling water, garnish it with dehydrated dragon fruit and basil leaves.
3. Passion Virgin Mojito (By Brown Okoror, Bartender, JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa)
Ingredients:
- 8-10 fresh mint leaves
- Passionfruit
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- 2 tablespoons of simple syrup or sugar
- 2 tablespoons of passionfruit puree or juice
- Sprite
- Ice cubes
Method:
- In a glass, add the fresh mint leaves and lime wedges.
- Gently muddle the mint and lime together in the glass to release their flavours.
- Add the simple syrup or sugar and passionfruit puree or juice to the glass.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes.
- Pour club soda or sparkling water over the ice until the glass is almost full.
- Stir gently to combine all the ingredients.
- Garnish with a mint sprig and a slice of lime.
4. Barbie Pink Jalebi: (By Sh. Arun Kumar, Sous Chef, The Ashok)
With the Barbie fever gaining hype, it's the perfect time to try this unique jalebi. To give your celebrations a 'Barbie' touch here, is an interesting recipe.
Ingredients:
For Jalebi Batter
- Flour - 250 Gms
- Water - 3 Cup
- Beetroot Juice - ½ Cup
For Sugar Syrup
- Sugar - 4 Cup
- Rooafza - 1 Cup
- Rose Water - 1 spoon
- Ghee - for frying
Method:
- For the jalebi batter mix the flour and water with the help of a whisk to make it lump-free and let it ferment overnight
- Adjust the jalebi batter, if required add water as required to adjust the consistency at last mix beetroot juice
- For the sugar syrup, heat water in a pan over medium heat, add sugar and mix until fully dissolved, simmer the syrup until it attains one-string consistency. Add rooh afza and rose water. This will be used to soak the jalebis and give them their signature sweetness
- Now, heat ghee in a pan over medium flame for deep frying. Fill the batter in a jalebi maker cloth / squeeze to make jalebi. Move from inside to outside to make perfect pretzels. Fry jalebis from both sides until they are crispy in texture
- Soak the jalebis in prepared syrup and serve it with Pista Mascarpone Rabdi