101 new healthy drinks pitched against liquor in Kerala

Determined to bring about total prohibition by 2023, the Kerala government on Wednesday launched a promotional campaign for 101 varieties of health drinks made out of tender coconut water and other products.

'Subodham', the initiative of the Kerala government against alcoholism and substance abuse, will promote the healthy drinks which will now be called "magic drinks".

On Wednesday, iced tea was distributed at the launch of the three-day International Conference on Effective Strategies for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (I-CON 2016).

Under the Subodham initiative, the drinks are not being promoted as a substitute for alcohol, but as healthy retreats.

"More healthy drinks will be introduced in the coming days," said seasoned chef and USS Global CEO Srikanth Manikoth, who has been assigned to prepare the drinks.

K. Ampady, who heads the Subodham campaign, said they will come out with 101 varieties of drinks prepared mainly using tender coconut water, mint, cucumber, Indian sarsaparilla and milk.

"These drinks are intended mainly to cleanse the organs of the human body. They will be introduced gradually into the market like we did with 'Neera'," said Ampady.

Neera is a sap extracted from the inflorescence of various species of palms including coconut. It is a non-alcoholic and nutritious drink containing sugars, minerals and vitamins.