A lotus drink (also known as a lotus tea) is a delicious beverage that blends traditional African and Chinese flavors with European sweeteners.
The drink’s smooth, creamy texture makes it ideal for enjoying on a hot day like the one we’re experiencing right now.
Lotus drinks were originally called “sud-de-yoo” (sweet de-yooh) in West Africa, and “chai” in India.
They were later introduced to China and became known as chay or chai in Mandarin.
The drink was initially created with local ingredients but over time, foreigners settled in the area and brought their own versions of chai.
The traditional lotus drink recipe contains tea leaves.
In recent years, however, more and more people are using flavored teas like peppermint tea or green tea as an alternative to the original recipe.
What are the ingredients needed for a Lotus drink recipe ?
There are a few traditional ingredients that you need to make this recipe.
The most common ones include:
- Mango powder (also known as maricha)
- Black pepper
- Green tea leaves or Chinese green tea powder
- Almond milk (or any type of milk)
- Sugar
How long does it take to make a Lotus drink ?
The average lotus drink recipe takes around 15 to 20 minutes to make.
Start by boiling some water to prepare it for brewing the tea.
The water should be about 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius).
Next , place one or two tea bags or teabags in a teapot with the boiling water .
For the first brew, use a half cup of water and pour it over the tea.
Remove the tea leaves from the tea bag(s) and discard them .
For subsequent brews , you can use as much liquid as you’d like.
The tea for this lotus drink recipe can be found at most grocery stores and many independent retailers.
Chow .com offers a wide selection of teas that are approximately 1oz each.
You can also order loose leaf Earl Grey Tea , which would make an ideal substitute for loose leaf black tea while allowing you to increase your serving size.
Next , sweeten your lotus drink by adding a 1/2 cup of sugar or honey to the pot.
Stir the mixture until all of the sugar is dissolved before you serve your drink .
The next step is to add club soda or lemonade to your mixture if you’d prefer instead of water.
Add 4-6 ounces of club soda or lemonade (depending on how big your cup is).
Add all of the fruit juice to taste when mixing in about 1/4 cup of fruit juice per serving .
Now comes the fun part ! You’ll have to mix your drink vigorously for at least 10 seconds using a spoon or glass pitcher (you can’t just stir it with a spoon).
Repeat this step for each additional serving in order to create a presentation that’s appealing and visually appealing .
You don’t want any lumps or clumps in your drink.
What type of sweetener is used in a Lotus drink recipe ?
There are many ways to make a delicious lotus drink.
Different versions of the recipe will contain different amounts of sweetener , depending on personal preferences and the type of sweetener used .
You can use honey, sugar, brown sugar, artificial sweetener , or even agave nectar to create your own homemade version.
In some areas of the U .S., you can also find Lotus tea that’s made with stevia instead of sugar.
Is there a variation of the Lotus drink recipe ?
Some people prefer to make their lotus tea from scratch by blending loose tea with water and sugar .
Others have a sweet tooth and prefer to use plenty of honey or some other sugary ingredient for a more decadent drink.
Ideally, the drink should be both sweet and spicy — ideal for the warm weather .
The recipe below is one that combines both flavors.
The main ingredients are tea leaves, honey, peppermint, cardamom, ginger , and ground cloves.
What is the nutritional value of a Lotus drink ?
As with any other tea, Lotus drinks are rich in antioxidants, which are known to help fight free radicals and boost the production of certain enzymes.
These enzymes are also responsible for controlling many of the biochemical processes in the body.
Antioxidants (like vitamins A , E, and C) scavenge free radicals before they can cause damage to our cells by damaging cell membranes.
When you drink a lotus drink, you’re getting a healthy dose of antioxidants that are also anti-inflammatory and may protect your heart from developing cardiovascular disease.
In addition , this all-natural beverage is low in calories and fat.
What are the health benefits of drinking a Lotus drink ?
Despite its comparatively high calorie count, a lotus drink is a healthy beverage option for those looking for a tasty drink with added health benefits.
Here are some of the things that make it a good choice for you and your family.
1. Increased Vitamin C:
A cup of lotus drink contains as much vitamin C (100 percent of the daily recommended value) as an orange.
In fact, research has shown that people who regularly consume fortified foods such as orange juice have lower levels of blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar compared to those who do not.
2. Lowers Risk of Type-2 Diabetes:
Drinking a lotus drink daily can increase your chances of having a lower risk of type-2 diabetes by lowering the glycemic index of your meals and snacks .
It has also been shown to lower your risk of having blood sugar spikes following meals.
3. Improves Your Metabolism:
Drinking a lotus drink regularly can improve your metabolism.
The polyphenols in the drink help to increase your body’s insulin sensitivity in order to lower the risk of developing type-2 diabetes .
4. Reduced Risk of Heart Disease:
Drinking lotus tea has been shown to reduce the risks of heart disease by slowing down all stages of plaque formation including its early stages before it becomes hard and thick enough to cause blockages.
The antioxidants in tea can help to prevent free radicals from harming cells and preventing the development of heart disease.
5. Can Help You Lose Weight:
Lotus tea can work effectively by increasing your body’s metabolic rate, which helps you lose weight when combined with other healthy lifestyle changes like regular exercise and healthy eating habits.
Drinking lotus tea also improves your energy levels, which makes it easier for you to stick to a workout routine or prepare healthy meals every day .
What is the most popular way to serve a Lotus drink ?
PepsiCo has also launched a lotus tea drink to be served in cans.
These cans are smaller than the traditional bottles, but they come with their own unique twist: the tea and lemonade are housed in individual cans that are separated by a foil barrier.
It’s important to know that not all canned lotus drinks contain actual tea leaves.
Some of them have small amounts of teas in them, which means that you can enjoy the refreshing flavors of lotus drinks without being concerned about consuming too much caffeine.
What flavors can be added to a Lotus drink ?
Here’s a list of the most popular flavors that have been added to lotus drinks in recent years.
For a rundown of how to make each flavor, follow the links.
Peppermint Flavored Tea
- Sweet Peppermint Tea
- Lemon-Lime Flavored Tea
- Frangipani Flavored Tea
Green Tea Flavored Tea
- Chai Green Tea
- White Tea Black Tea Flavored Tea
Sour Cherry Flavored Tea
- Cherry Blossom Flavored Tea
Black Currant Flavored Tea
Whether you choose or not to add any of these flavors, your drink will still taste amazing.
That being said, some people do prefer their lotus drinks to be spicy or sweet .
If you prefer more flavor , you can try adding a tad bit of sugar or honey to the mix.
“Flavoring tea with peppermint and other herbs is one of the oldest practices in Chinese medicine,” says Theresa Flores , founder of The Medicinal Herbal Company.
“It helps improve digestion and clear turbid blood which improves cognitive function and reduces inflammation.”
“Peppermint tea also has anti-allergy and anti-bacterial properties,” she continues.
“I recommend drinking lots of it as part of a daily detox program, especially if you are prone to colds or flu.”
“Cherry blossom tea is another hot choice,” she adds.
“It has an anti-oxidant effect on the body and helps prevent cancer.
It also helps boost your immune system and reduce inflammation.”
“Chai is one of my favorite teas because it’s so versatile,” says Flores .
“It’s delicious blended with copious amounts of milk and sugar, but I also like it as a base for smoothies and shakes.
She recommends adding a teaspoon each of honey and almond milk (or coconut milk) to black tea before blending .
“This gives it a thick consistency that’s much easier to drink ,” she says.
“My personal favorite lotus tea recipe is one that I created myself using honey ,” says Flores .
Her Cinnamon Honey Lotus drink is made with cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon sticks, ginger root, honey, and nutmeg.”
Are there any tips for making a perfect Lotus drink ?
Lotus drinks are popular in both African and Chinese communities.
While the recipes are similar, each region has its own distinct recipe, so there’s no one size fits all for a perfect drink.
The traditional lotus drink starts with an infusion of leaves and spices.
The leaves used should be high quality — dried, not fresh.
The mixture is then boiled before being steeped in hot water to create a tea that’s sweet and spicy.
A ½ cup of tea is added per 4 cups of water.
If you’re making the drink with peppermint tea, add every four cups of water an extra leaf or two.
If you have green tea, add every five cups of water an extra leaf or two.
Just another difference in the modern versions: The traditional is usually made overnight , but most people use bottled teas these days because it’s easier to measure out the ingredients.
Is there a difference between the traditional Lotus drink recipe and modern versions ?
The modern lotus drink recipe is made from a mix of tea leaves and black tea , plus spices like ginger, cinnamon, vanilla, or cardamom.
If you’re into making your own lotus drinks at home, it’s important to know that some recipes for the drink specify using only tea leaves and traditional spices.
Lotus drinks are traditionally sweetened with sugar.
However , you can also use agave syrup or honey as a low-calorie alternative and it doesn’t affect the drink’s taste .
The main thing is to choose the right kind: artificial sweeteners are an unhealthy choice.
Other changes that have been made over time include switching the traditional black tea leaves with milk or cream.
Some recipes also add honey or syrups instead of sugar.
Equipment
- 1 Glass
Ingredients
- 1 c club soda
- 1 tbsp Lotus energy
- 1 tbsp Torani syrup
Instructions
- Take a glass and fill it with ice halfway. 1 cup of club soda should be added.
- Add 1 pump of your preferred Torani flavored and 2 pumps of the Lotus energy drink concentrate of your choice.
- Stir and enjoy!
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Nutrition
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