I always thought zobo was bland. Like, how do people enjoy the burning sensation that courses through their digestive systems with just one sip?
But then, I discovered these options. And let’s just say, I’m onboard the zobo train now. Try some of the best flavors of zobo and thank me later.
1. Zobo with pineapple and ginger
Image source: K’s cuisine
Most people already add ginger to their zobo — hence, the burning sensation — but you need something to balance out the sharpness, and pineapple works great.
Recipe:
- Wash a cup of zobo leaves in warm water, and put into a pot of two litres of water.
- Add a tablespoon of grated ginger and a cup of pineapple concentrate (or whole pineapple peels). Allow this to boil for about 25 minutes.
- Add some sugar (depending on how sweet you want it), stir well and allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes.
- Drain with a fine-mesh strainer into another container to get rid of any particles, and allow it to cool before refrigerating.
- Garnish with citrus fruits to serve, for extra pizzazz, and enjoy.
Find the detailed recipe here.
2. Mixed-fruit Zobo
Image source: Zubaydaisah
Why have one fruit when you can have multiple? TBH, mixed-fruit zobo is giving Chapman, but I don’t hate it.
Recipe:
- Make the zobo drink with the recipe above but with less pineapple and sugar to make room for the other fruits.
- Blend half of a medium watermelon, blend a mango to make a smooth pulp and juice two oranges.
- Sieve the watermelon and mango pulp to remove the particles.
- Add all three to your zobo drink and refrigerate (Warm zobo tastes like tears).
- For the complete Chapman look, add the cut-up pieces of fruit when you serve the zobo.
ALSO READ: Wait, Who Invented Chapman?
3. Zobo Margarita
Image source: Periperi chef
Something for the raging alcoholics too, of course.
Recipe:
- Make your zobo drink. Cold, of course.
- Rim a cocktail glass with salt and place in the fridge to chill.
- Put ice in a cocktail shaker with half a cup of zobo, a shot of tequila and two tablespoons of lemon juice. Shake vigorously for a couple of minutes.
- Pour into the chilled salt-rimmed glass, and serve immediately.
Find the detailed recipe here.
4. Zobo and watermelon smoothie
Image source: Lil’ Luna
For when a plain watermelon smoothie just won’t cut it.
Recipe:
- Cut a small watermelon into cubes, and throw in a blender with half a cup of milk or yoghurt and two tablespoons of lemon juice. Blend together with half a cup of ice until smooth.
- Pour into half a cup of cold zobo (preferably sweetened with pineapple), mix well and serve.
ALSO READ: Weird Homemade Cocktails Zikoko Writers Are Making
5. Zobo and unsweetened yoghurt
Image source: Funke Koleosho
This zobo and yoghurt dessert is technically a drink. Don’t you drink some types of yoghurt? I don’t make the rules.
Recipe:
- Mix some unsweetened yoghurt in a bowl and add some condensed milk to sweeten it.
- Transfer the mixture into a dessert cup and place in a fridge so the yoghurt can set.
- Dissolve some gelatin in hot water. The quantity of gelatin depends on how much zobo syrup you have, but one or two tablespoons should suffice.
- When completely dissolved, stir in the zobo syrup and allow it to cool.
- Pour the mixture over the yoghurt you prepared earlier, and garnish with any fruit of your choice.
Find the detailed recipe here.
6. Zobo lemonade
Image source: 9ja foodie
This is the lemon version of the pineapple recipe.
Recipe:
- Prepare your zobo drink without pineapple concentrate.
- In a separate pot, add sugar and a cup of water. Boil and stir to dissolve the sugar.
- Cool the sugar mixture in the fridge, then mix in a cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and you have your lemonade.
- Next, mix the lemonade with the zobo, refrigerate and serve chilled.
7. Zobo, banana and dates smoothie
Image source: Funke Koleosho
If you can’t tell I love smoothies at this point, I don’t know what to say. But you’ll love this one.
Recipe:
- Prepare your zobo drink.
- Soak half a cup of dates in water for an hour to soften it.
- Dice two or three frozen bananas into a blender. Add the dates and half a cup of milk or yoghurt. Blend until smooth.
- Pour the blended mixture into a bowl, and mix in the zobo drink.
- Serve and enjoy.
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