A new fizzy drink has taken over Kerala and most likely checkmated the state’s in-house favourite Kulukki Sarbath. And it’s not hard to see why Keralites have taken to this soda-based beverage called Fuljar soda. From preparing to drinking it, the Fuljar soda is ostentatious, ingredient-rich and comes with its paraphernalia.
Although not a liquor-based cocktail, Fuljar soda aspires to be the German Jagerbomb with a shot glass dropped into a glass of soda, which then fizzes and is guzzled down. It arrived as a Ramzan special drink a month ago and boomed into a quirky food fad.
Over the last few weeks, the drink has even been featured on Tik Tok and YouTube, where users make videos of mixing and gulping the drink.
'A full jar, literally'
“The frothy beverage is called Fuljar as it erupts like a volcano when the shot glass is dropped into the soda. It is literally full jar,” says Aravindan, an employee of Chakkarapanthal, a Kochi-based eatery. The person can then guzzle down the contents of the glass before it foams up further.
The soda, along with its several variants, are being made in standalone shops, juice bars and restaurants across Kerala. According to Aravindan, the drink is most popular in Ernakulam and Kannur.
The standard drink involves mixing mint leaves, ginger and green chillies pastes with sugar syrup, lemon, poppy seeds and a pinch of salt in a shot glass. This shot glass is then dropped into a soda-filled big glass where it froths up.
Several variants of the Fuljar soda, especially with fruit-based flavours, are cropping up in cool bars across Kerala. “We change our recipe based on customer needs. If they want flavours, we have watermelon, orange, or pineapple. We add this fruit to the mix, which is, in turn, dropped into the soda,” Aravindan added.
Several reports have also pointed out that Fuljar has a spicy and sweet variety. In some recipes, neem leaves, honey and cinnamon are added to weave in other traditional flavours.
“We only began 15 days ago but we had a lot of orders. Now it has reduced a bit because of the whole Nipah virus scare in Kochi,” Aravindan added.
A YouTube video maker, who shot the process of making Fuljar soda, cautioned viewers to add chillies depending on their spice tolerance levels.
Once done, the most crucial task is to enjoy the summer drink and lick away the foam left on your face after a hearty bottoms up.
Here's how Fuljar Soda is made: