From rhubarb to rooibos tea, watering holes are experimenting with unique plant-based ingredients in their alcohol-free drinks
Trend setter
What's in it: thyme and rosemary
The drink reminds us of our favourite Simon and Garfunkel songs - Scarborough Fair - in whose lyrics thyme stands for courage and rosemary for love.
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Jasmine tea, maple syrup, pineapple juice, and the herbs are all blended together to create this mocktail.
At: The Daily Bar and Kitchen, SV Road, Bandra West
Call: 9930795318
Cost: Rs 450
Summer fizz
What's in it: rosemary
With a pink-peach ombre effect, this layered mocktail has fresh pomegranate muddled with a homemade rosemary syrup. It is then topped off with lime juice, chilled green tea and fizzy soda water.
The drink is garnished with a rosemary sprig, pomegranate seeds and edible flowers.
At: Nom Nom, Pali Hill, Bandra West
Call: 8291881320
Cost: Rs 225
Rhubarbie doll
What's in it: rhubarb
Generally used in the West to make jams and dessert sauces, this mocktail uses rhubarb pulp and pieces, simple syrup, and white wine vinegar.
This pulp is then shaken with lemon, pineapple and cranberry juices and topped with ginger beer.
At: Olive Bar & Kitchen, 14 Union Park, Khar West
Call: 43408229
Cost: Rs 220
Hibiscus
What's in it: dried hibiscus flowers
Known multifariously as Jamaica in Latin America, roselle in South Africa and karkade in the Middle East, the blood red extract of dried hibiscus flower is the ultimate summer coolant.
Here, steeped hibiscus tea is combined with a sweet and sour syrup and topped off with soda water. This results in an all-natural drink that lets the tart taste of the dried flowers shine through.
At: The Clearing House, Ballard Estate
Call: 22683030
Cost: Rs 235
Spiced passion
What's in it: rooibos tea
Calling rooibos a tea is actually a misnomer. A type of herb belonging to the Fabaceae family of plants that can be found growing in South Africa, this tummy-soothing herb is legendary for its calming properties.
This drink is made of a tangy lemonade base and is decocted from rooibos. It is then blended with gingerbread and pumpkin.
At: The Kettlery, Hotel Horizon 37, Juhu Beach, Juhu.
Call: 67414777
Cost: Rs 300
Fennel and dill fizz
What's in it: fennel, dill
This blushing pink summer cooler is a refreshing sum of fennel stem and dill leaf parts. Once muddled together, the fragrant, herbaceous mix is topped with ginger ale, elderflower and cranberry juice and garnished with a dill frond.
The notes of fennel and dill dominate the flavour, and are naturally sweet in flavour, herbaceous in aroma and delightfully zesty.
At: Cin Cin, Raheja Towers, BKC, Bandra East
Call: 69956666
Cost: Rs 205
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