I’m feeling thirsty. No, not that kind of thirst – water can do nothing for me right now. I mean THIR-STY thirsty. Catch my drift? (It’s Friday, don’t think too hard! 
) So…this evening, I’m going to take inspiration from all the honey and lemon that I have been handling for my hair and make a Dawa. What? You don’t know what a Dawa is? Hmmm…allow me to school you then. 
A Dawa (‘medicine’ in Swahili) is a popular Kenyan cocktail that was popularized by Carnivore (the famous Kenyan restaurant) and other restaurants owned by The Tamarind Group. It’s a simple cocktail that’s easy to make (and quite potent ), and most of the ingredients needed to make this cocktail you probably already have in your kitchen. How about we make a Dawa together? Ready?
- First, pour two tots of vodka into a tumbler glass (or any other glass that is roomy).
- Then, add a tablespoon of honey. (I like my Dawa sweet!)
- Add one lime, cut up in wedges.
- Add ice cubes.
- And drink.
Wait (you might say)! That doesn’t look like a drink! Well, the secret to making and drinking a Dawa is in pressing the wedges of lime (in order to bring out the juice) while stirring the contents of your glass as the ice melts. It’s when all the ingredients come together that you get yourself a delicious Dawa.
At Carnivore, this pressing and mixing is done with a Dawa stick, a cocktail stick that resembles a yellow and green candy cane (but tastes nothing like it), but in your own home, you can replace the Dawa stick with a cocktail stick, a Popsicle stick, or simply a spoon. Whatever the case, the result remains the same.
There you’ve got it. That’s all you need to know to make a Dawa (though I will admit my Dawas never taste quite the same as those made by Dr. Dawa of Carnivore. I don’t know what his secret is!)
But that’s enough talking! It’s time for me to go drink my Dawa now.
Happy Furahi-day!
Biche
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Hi Biche,
Following ur blog for abt a month now. Great reading. mostly nostalgia. Like u just reminded me abt Dawa, had it in Tamarind Mombasa. will try and shake soem for me today. From Kisumu. Ravi
Hi Ravi,
Welcome to ChickAboutTown! (Excuse me for taking so long to respond to your comment.
)
You had a Dawa at a Tamarind restaurant? Then you had it from the best!
Why nostalgia? Do you not travel to Nairobi or Mombasa anymore?
Biche