Nadia George
February 22, 2024
Remember Caipirinha? The Brazilian cocktail that inspired several variations across the world? Well, its Russian version Caipiroska has led to the creation of another delicious cocktail.
Dawa originates in Kenya. It was invented and named in Carnivore Restaurant in Nairobi's Langata suburb in the 1980s. It is enjoyed by patrons of upscale hotel bars, especially tourists who desire to go on safaris.
1/2 Wedges from Lime, freshly chopped, 1 bar spoon Honey, 60 ml Smirnoff Vodka, 10 ml Brown sugar syrup or Demerara sugar syrup
Take a ripe lime and cut it into halves by slitting from pole to pole. Remove the core from each half by cutting a V-shaped groove. Chop the core into three wedges. Slice the wedges in half to get six chunks. Drop them into a Double Old-Fashioned glass. Muddle the lime chunks with a muddler.
Now, pour vodka in it. Add honey and stir till it is dissolved completely. Add the sugar syrup and fill the glass with ice.
Some variations of Dawa include ginger and ground turmeric in their recipes. Some local home bartenders also use hot water instead of ice, making it a hot cocktail. Dawa tea is also consumed in the continent. It is believed that the non-alcoholic drink contains Vitamin C, and antioxidants, and is a great accompaniment during the winter.