Thumpy Rose What’s the one drink that hits all the right buttons for you? Kenya dawa does it for a majority of the locals. Like other plant-based food recipes, you’ll delightfully pack your body with many essential nutrients. Dawa is among the popular Kenya drinks in homes and restaurants, and you’ll even find street vendors selling it to commuters at the bus stations. Locals believe dawa to soothe or cure some discomforts in your body or to simply warm you up. All thanks to its perfect blend of ingredients. Isn’t it amazing how most recipes for African food tend to be medicinal? Be sure to browse as many of them from our recipes. Consider subscribing to always be in the know on our latest plant-based recipes and African food Lifestyle. And if you’ve not tried any Kenyan food recipes, this potent drink can be your starting point.
Your taste buds will thank you:)
While at it, check out these Kenya food ingredients for Swahili dishes; please try them out, and share your experience with us.
The Origin of Kenya Dawa
‘Dawa’ is a Swahili word meaning medicine. You might conclude that the name says it all. But more than that, we call it a warm, comforting hug in a mug. This unique drink has many variations among the most popular Kenya drinks. But one thing’s for sure; one sip will cheer you up like a hearty hug.
Originally, Kenya dawa was a cocktail- a concoction of honey, lime, white sugar, ice, and vodka. A famous Kenyan city restaurant prides itself on having invented this recipe. However, let’s leave the cocktail to the experts.
Kenya dawa has presently evolved into numerous variations, provided that you have water, lemon juice, and honey as the base. You can spice it up to your liking. Adding honey makes the drink one of the authentically Kenyan food recipes, considering the country has a long history of traditional beekeeping. Honestly, this drink is so easy to make. Check the video tutorial below for details on how to make this cheerful cup.
Recipes for African food are amazingly adaptable; you can use what’s available and come out with beautiful flavors. What’s more, you can find something for everyone, even those with delicate taste buds. Try out this creamy, simple, delicious Mali’s Food Chouo Touro.
Many Kenyans believe that adding ginger and garlic to dawa can cure a cold and soothe a sore throat. This variety is the most common and one of the city’s trendy Kenya drinks plant-based food recipes. And, if you’re heartbroken or feeling down, a few spices will take this drink delightfully over the top.
Dawa’s Comforting Charm
If you’re familiar with traditional African recipes, you’d know how food is associated with affection. What better way to double the feeling than adding plant-based food recipes and healthy food to the mix? A little warmth goes a long way. Like other Kenyan food recipes and recipes for African food, this alluring drink embodies all these in a mug.
Experts advise that the right drink hydrates you and provides nutrients to boost your health. And as a bonus, dawa is one of our plant-based food recipes to enjoy on a budget. All you need is water, lemon juice, and honey. We spiced it up with ginger, cinnamon, and clove seeds. The resulting drink is soothing, delicious, and easy to make. It is also nutrient-rich. Browse other healthy drink recipes here and check the recipe card for detailed instructions for making dawa.
Related: Full-Bodied Chai Ya Mkandaa
Ginger, lemon juice, and honey are a great combination as they all contain powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Lemon juice and ginger aid digestion, while ginger naturally provides warmth to your body. Honey has a natural scrapping effect on the intestines, clearing away toxic build-up. Additionally, cloves and cinnamon help boost your immune system and lower your disease risk.
See? It’s so simple. If your drinks menu needs something nutritious, new, and fresh, this is it. Try it out and let us know your experience. Which spices did you use? Please share in the comments section. And if you enjoy Kenya dawa, share this article with your friends. Cheers 🙂 Curious about a no-meat food lifestyle? Check out our Instagram page for real-life inspirations.
Warming Kenya Dawa Drink
Kenyan dawa, a national drink, is made in a variety of ways, depending on the ingredients used. It is commonly known for its soothing and warming effect but kenya drinks are versatile. With that in mind, it can also be made into a cocktail, served cold with ice.Kenya drinks are amazing. The one we are sharing today is mostly enjoyed during cold seasons by those living in the city, so don’t be surprised that we serve it hot.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Clove seeds.
- Lemons (juiced).
- 1 tablespoon of honey.
- 1 heaped tablespoon of ginger.
Instructions
- To start off this flavourful Kenya Dawa, add 1 cup of water into a pan on the stove.
- Next, add your cinnamon stick and clove seeds. Cinnamon itself does not dissolve in liquids, but using cinnamon sticks makes the mixture come together well. Clove seeds do not dissolve either, but the flavor is so rich it could be obtained even by leaving the cloves in cold water for a few hours. It can be very strong. Just do not forget to take the seeds out at the end, or their sweet yet bitter flavor will overpower you if you accidentally bite into one.
- Simmer this for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to be released and come together perfectly. You can just smell that amazing aroma.
- After 5 minutes, you can add your lemon juice. It brings some citrusy flavor and acidity to the drink, creating balance. Add the ginger as well, for more flavor. You may have noticed it being used in many Kenyan food recipes.
- Lastly, add the tablespoon of honey. Honey not only brings in sweetness, but it just blends in better than sugar would.
Dawa Tea Recipe Hack
- Assemble your desire Dawa ingredients (ginger, lemon, cloves, cinnamon pieces)
- Get a glass jar that can withstand heat. Add the ingredients in the jar.
- Pour hot boiling water over to ingredients and let to sit for 1-2 hours. Note, If you leave it to sit overnight, the cinnamon flavor becomes very strong and overpowers the other flavors.
Notes
Serving Suggestion: Kenya Dawa can be served hot, especially for the best of that soothing effect that comes with Traditional African recipes like this one.
And just like that, you have made Kenya drinks for you and others to enjoy. For more healthy food/drinks recipes, don’t hesitate to visit humblevege.com
