Rooibos Espresso and Lattes
In March, Starbucks Europe launched two Rooibos Lattes: the Starbucks Rooibos Latte and the Red Apple Rooibos Latte, which quickly garnered high demand across Europe. The Rooibos Latte has hints of vanilla and honey. The Red Apple Rooibos Latte is mixed with apple syrup and sprinkled with freeze-dried apples, creating a sweeter beverage. Bean in Love, a coffee house and roasteria in Western Cape, South Africa, makes a variety of rooibos-based drinks. Its Red espresso is a strong rooibos tea espresso shot with saffron crema. Bean in Love’s Red espresso also provides the base for its Red Latte, which is available hot and iced, its Red cappuccino and its Fresh reds iced teas.Rooibos Cocktails
Rooibos has infiltrated bars as it has been appearing in cocktails for the last few years in cities such as London, New York and Cape Town, reported Food 24. Some popular rooibos-based cocktails are: gin and Rooibos, the iced rooibos and vodka tea cocktail and Rooibos liquor (a mix of rooibos, brandy, cloves, cinnamon, sugar and honey).Rooibos Wine
The Audacia winery on West Africa’s wine producing Western Cape, makes Rooibos/Honeybush wine that is “Sulphur Additive Free.” Research conducted by Stellenbosch University’s Department of Viticulture and Oenology revealed how powerful antioxidants in rooibos and honeybush can help preserve wine, reported Reuters. To make rooibos/honeybush wine, grapes are harvested and then put into contact with rooibos and honeybush toasted wood chips and natural indigenous tannins in place of sulphur. The wood chips infuse a preservative, antioxidants and polyphenols—replacing the need for chemical preservatives, according to Audacia. The result is a wine purported to be healthier. The wine is patented in 83 jurisdictions worldwide.Energy Drinks
Woodland Hills, California-based Wicked Lekker launched a line of Organic Rooibos Superfood Teas with Moringa. Rooibos delivers anti-inflammatories, antioxidants and polyphenols, while moringa is a superfood derived from the moringa tree that’s full of vitamin C, protein, iron and amino acids that give a boost of energy. To sustain energy, South African endurance athlete Hannele Steyn recommends her own rooibos concoction that is a blend of rooibos espresso, almond milk, honey and a pinch of Himalayan salt, reported the Rooibos Council. Rooibos contains antioxidants; honey provides fast energy; almond milk supports slow energy by way of protein and essential fats; and Himalayan salt provides minerals.Fermented Sparkling Rooibos
In April, Billingshurst, England-based Healthy Sales Group’s Switchle launched its collection of fermented adult soft drinks made with sparkling spring water, apple cider vinegar, honey, fruit juices and botanical extracts. Among the collection of three ready-to-drink beverages is a Rooibos, Raspberry and Pomegranate flavor.