In Kochi’s Bay Pride Mall, we found Barista- the Indian answer to Starbucks. The menu, however, is a bit more expansive than Starbucks! Yes, there are coffees, but there are also plenty of non-coffee based drinks! 
Originally, I wanted the Mojito. I have heard of Mojito in US, it being a lime based drink with alcohol. This time, there would be no alcohol. I ordered this. They said they were out of lime, so I’d have to choose something else. So, I went for the Blue Curacao. I have heard of the word Curacao before on a mixed drinks menu in a Mexican restaurant, but I never had it. Knowing it was non-alcoholic here, I went for it!
It was bright blue, frosty and slushy and tasted slightly sweet and slightly sour. It was fabulous! I love blue drinks, it reminded me of the Royal Razz at Friendly’s or the Cotton Candy at Friendly’s. It was so tasty. I recommend anyone to get this drink. Next time I hope to try the Mojito.
I have tried to search the net to find a recipe for non-alcoholic versions of these drinks, and have found a pretty good recipes for Mojito (below). If anyone has a good recipe for the Blue Curacao Granita, do send it over to me.
Just a side note, prices at Barista are not anything close to what you’d spend at the small tea stalls or local hotels, as it is an upscale place. Of course small stalls serve a very small amount in relation to Barista’s monster size drinks. Even I felt sticker shock when we spent a total of Rs 119 (about $3) for two drinks. We don’t suggest the ice coffee we had though; it wasn’t good in taste or price- Rs. 77.
As a side note, while searching for this drink- I found one other shop on line with it on their menu- Quicky’s. It seems this is a chain started by to guys from Velachery, Chennai. And, it started in 1999! Too bad I missed it when I was in Chennai. Hey, Sashi and Syam, if you’re out there, and see this, let us know if you have any plans of expansion to Western New York! I am sure you could do well in Niagara! Some days there are more desis there than any other nationality, which makes me feel like I am in India again! With menu items like South Indian Filter Coffee and Mumbai Chai Masala, I know many who are there!
For other non-alcohoic mixed drinks (aka Mocktails) visit zonesyrups.com.
Virgin Mojito 
Ingredients:
15 Mint Leaves
1 tsp raw sugar
1 oz fresh lime juice
½ oz simple syrup **
Ice
4 oz chilled ginger ale
Method:
In a cocktail shaker, muddle the mint, sugar, lime juice and Simple Syrup. Add ice, shake well and pour into a highball glass. Top with the ginger ale.
**You can make your own simple syrup: In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water to a boil; simmer until the sugar is dissolved, 3 minutes. The syrup can be refrigerated for up to 3 weeks.
Source: http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/virgin-mojito
Part 7 in Series: Kerala 2007