Get a cozy blanket. A book or a movie or your favourite playlist. Pour yourself a refreshingly spicy beverage. Not one in sight? Don’t worry, there is a menu that was prepared with you in mind.
Ruth Nzau is a mixologist from Nairobi Serena Hotel and founder of Raising the Bar.
She crafts drinks and delivers them to your doorstep. Herbs and spices are a fave in her mocktails and cocktails. Some of the crafted beverages are Sparkling Lemonade, Lime Lite and Zabibu Elizir.
If you would like to get any of the mocktails (non-alcoholic drinks) or cocktails, you can reach Ruth through 0790057001. The orders can be placed between 7am-7pm and delivered to you on the same day.
It has become relatively cold in the evening in the past few days. Itchy throat, flu and blocked nose are common symptoms for those with allergies and colds. If you are experiencing this, there are types of tea you can make on your home to cure it. Nonetheless, we encourage you to consult with a medical professional if it persists.
The tea recipes are nearly all the same; washing the spices, grounding them and putting them into a saucepan of boiling water, lowering the heat and sieve when you serve. It is important to note that the smell of these teas have healing effects. Also, it is preferable to use ingredients in their natural forms instead of powdered spices to get the most of their nutritional value. Avoid peeling their skins too.
Before we forget, you can drink these teas in advance to prevent a cold or flu. Now here are some of the teas you can make at home to treat common cold and flu.
Turmeric Ginger Tea
Photo by Anjellah Owino for Nafsi
Turmeric, ginger and lemon are all superfoods. Turmeric and ginger contain a high amount of antioxidants and antibacterial properties which relieve sore throat and cure the flu or cold. Lemons are full of Vitamin C which boosts immunity and thus helps the body fight the cold or flu. Inhaling its smell is a form of treatment.
Indeed there are many variations to explore when it comes to preparing tea. If you want to add a different flavor to your tea, you can opt for cinnamon. It is not only has aromatic benefits, but cinnamon also has many antioxidants which protects one from diseases and it is known to reduce inflammation.
Lemon is definitely a go-to fruit when it comes to curing flu and cold. Add honey and ginger for their natural favor and nutrients. Honey can help suppress coughs and heals sore throat. Inhale its smell when its hot to get these benefits too. You can serve hot and still drink when it cools.
Cayenne Pepper Tea
Photo by Anjellah Owino for Nafsi
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin which relieves cough and flu symptoms, soothes sore throat, and protects the nervous system. You can add vinegar, ginger or honey in your tea for sweeter taste and more nutrients. You will start feeling better almost immediately.
Chamomile tea can cure flu and fever. It smell relieves stress, relaxes the mind and it can sooth you to sleep, a thing which proves to be very difficult for a person battling flu.
It is packaged as tiny green tea
leaves in tea bags. Its benefits are, however, huge. This tea boosts immunity,
has antioxidants too which protects one from diseases, and it may alleviate flu
symptoms.
You can add ginger and lemon too. The good thing about green tea or any of these teas really is that you can serve this while hot and still go on drinking it when it cools.
Peppermint has a strong smell which
can help clear the nostrils. It reduces fever, coughs and throat infections. It
also boosts the immune system and thus it is one of the best teas for fighting
the cold or flu. Ingredients which go well with this tea are lemon and honey.
While we
have confidence with all of these teas, we still encourage you to seek medical
assistance if flu becomes persistent.
You could be planning for a party this weekend. Or you want to enjoy a drink this Saturday afternoon. If you are excited about the idea of serving your own drinks, Ruth Nzau shares some of her own mocktail and cocktail recipes. Ruth is a mixologist at Herbs & Spices restaurant, Nairobi Serena Hotel. She incorporates herbs, spices and vegetables in her drinks.
All of the ingredients can be found in market places and supermarkets.
Mocktails
Cucumber Basil Sparkling Lemonade
Photo courtesy: Ruth Nzau @raisingthebar-ke
Ingredients Cucumber Basil Honey Fresh Lime Sparkling water
Method Blend cucumber and basil Pour the mixture into a glass Add honey Then add fresh lime Top off with sparkling water
Watermelon Orange Soda
Photo courtesy: Ruth Nzau
Ingredients Watermelon Orange Apple Ice cubes Black currant water
Method Make several watermelon balls with a spoon Extract orange, apple and watermelon juices Mix all the juices Add ice cubes Top off with black currant water Garnish it with watermelon scoops
You could also choose to buy the juices at a supermarket and mix them instead of extracting.
Turmeric Pick Me Up Latte
Photo courtesy: Ruth Nzau
Ingredients Cinnamon syrup Espresso Boiled milk with turmeric Coconut
Method Pour ice into a glass Pour cinnamon syrup Add milk and turmeric mixture Desiccate coconut Garnish the mix with desiccated coconut
Cocktails
Passion Champagne
Photo courtesy: Ruth Nzau
Ingredients Passion fruit Vodka Sparkling wine Mint leaves
Method Extract passion fruit juice Mix the juice with vodka Top off with sparkling wine Garnish it with mint leaves
You could buy passion juice if you like instead of extracting.
Strawberry Baileys
Photo courtesy: Ruth Nzau
Ingredients Strawberries Ice Baileys
Method Crush strawberries in a glass Add crushed ice Pour Baileys to your taste Garnish it with two strawberries
Rum Spritz
Photo courtesy: Ruth Nzau
Ingredients Watermelon Vodka Captain Morgan Spiced Rum Stoney Tangawizi soda
Method Make chunks of watermelon balls Add vodka Add Captain Morgan Spiced Rum Top off with Stoney Tangawizi soda
