Moon Juice

Moon Juice is one of the most popular drinks in the Known World. It is a cool and refreshing drink made from moonberries. It is generally seen as a socially acceptable substitute for alcohol at parties and pubs. In fact, it is sold almost everywhere on the continent.
Moon Juice is a cooling and refreshing drink that makes people more awake or even euphoric. The drink can also be carbonated to make it fizzy instead. More fruit can be added to make different cocktails. Many of these fruits are imported from the New World because of their sweeter flavours. The most popular type of Moon Juice after the original is the watermelon-kiwi juice, which is gives a cooler taste. Some people add chopped fruit or mint leaves to their Moon Juice as well.

History

The original Moon Juice was created by the ancient Vokans who brought moonberries to the White Forest during the Age of Triumph. Previously, moonberries were crushed and added to cakes or made into jams. But one Vokan, Jericho Varki, realised that moonberries had euphoric properties, which were valued during that time. So he spent days combining crushed moonberries with other ingredients to find the best combinations. Jericho had also learned some alchemy, and created an apparatus for making and preserving bubbles in water, making the water fizz. He used his device to help make the first iterations of Moon Juice.
Unfortunately, Vokans did not want to part with their alcohol and try the new drink. They shunned Jericho for it and he kept the recipe for himself. However, one local who had tried the drink was very impressed by it and tried to replicate the recipe. But they couldn't quite match the taste or the fizziness, and so they went to Jericho to ask for his recipe. Jericho didn't see why the local wanted it, but agreed to give it to them anyway. Over the next few years, the local sweetened the drink and found better ways of creating carbonated water. Then sold it all over the continent. Now, it is a regional treasure.

Variants of Moon Juice

The main ingredients for Moon Juice are moonberries, sugar beet, carbonated water and lemons, all found naturally on the continent. Moonberries only grow in the White Forest and have a slightly minty taste. Sugar beet grows naturally in the Southern Plains, south of the White Forest. Lemons also grow in the Southern Plains and are used if the juice-maker wants to add more fizz to the drink.
Other fruits are also added to make fruity cocktails, and in the past, they came from other continents. But now, it is cheaper to source the fruits from the continent, than it is to import them from other continents. Ever since the United Government put tariffs on what comes into the Known World, many companies are forced to look closer to home for potential fruit combinations.

Alcohol Alternative

When the local reintroduced the drink to the public, they reacted much the same way as before. But those looking for an alternative to alcohol were not disappointed. Instead of being just juice, the drink energised people and made them ecstatic for most of the day. So people could still participate in all the usual activities that involved alcohol.

Item type

Consumable, Food / Drink

Related ethnicities

• Vokans