Speciality drinks from Neapoli

Kanelada Traditionally this drink was made in the mountains of Crete. It is a cinnamon cordial (kanela is the Greek word for cinnamon). In the winter months it is served as a hot drink, but you can also drink it cold, diluted with water or crushed ice. Ingredients: 1.5 litre of water 500 grams of white sugar 250 grams brown sugar 5 cinnamon sticks 2 cloves 1 teaspoon lemon juice Instructions: In a pan add the water, sugar, cinnamon sticks and cloves. On a high heat, bring it to the boil and boil for 5 minutes, stirring from time to time. Once the syrup starts to thicken, reduce the heat and simmer for another 20 – 25 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and remove from the heat. Strain the syrup while it is warm, allow it to cool and store it in a glass bottle. Use 1/3 syrup to 2/3 water and serve the Kanelada hot or cold. Soumada This is a Greek traditional drink made from the sweet syrup from Cretan almonds. Neapoli is renowned for its production of Soumada because of the quality of the almonds it produces. It is diluted with water and served cold. It is called “the drink of happiness”, because traditionally, Soumada, is served at happy occasions such as weddings and engagements because of its distinctive white colour. Ingredients: 650g almonds 20 bitter almonds 1kg sugar 7 cups water Instructions: Bring a pan of water to the boil and add the almonds. Boil for 2-3 minutes, strain and leave them to cool, before peeling. Blend in a blender with one cup of water. Put the mixture in a cheese cloth and hang over a bowl to allow it to drain. Reserve the milky liquid. In another pan, boil the sugar together with the rest of the water, until it turns into a thick syrup. Leave it to cool, add the milky liquid and mix. Transfer to bottles and store in the fridge. This is a concentrate so to serve, pour a little of the soumada into a glass and top up with cold water. Raki Raki cannot be described as just a drink. Cretan Raki or Tsikoudia, is synonymous with Crete, its people and its culture. Tsikoudia is sometimes served cold from a bottle kept in a freezer. This is commonly offered to visitors as an expression of Cretan hospitality. In many tavernas it is given as an after dinner digestif, with fruits and sweets. It can be flavoured with lemon, rosemary, or honey (rakomelo), but Finikas taverna in Neapoli very often serve their customers rose raki, which they make themselves. Delish!!!!! Neapoli has an exceptional reputation for producing some of the finest Raki on Crete. There are 2 or 3 producers, in Neapoli, including Mylonaki supermarket which is on one of the back streets off the main square and we are reliably informed that they produce one of the finest rakis. Raki is said to cure all ills; drink raki if you have a headache, are bothered by mosquitoes, feel nauseous, sad or happy. It is a panacea; you can even use it to clean your sink or table. Please be advised that excessive alcohol consumption can cause fatal diseases like cancer and liver cirrhosis. So if you are planning to consume raki, do it in moderation.