Red wine vinegar beginnings
If you want to garner the stamina of a Roman gladiator, then it may be time to embrace a suite of ancient energy drinks.
A mix of cheap, sour wine, vinegar and water – otherwise known as – was once the stimulating energy force that powered the muscle of ancient Rome.
This drink may sound like the last beverage you’d turn to for invigoration. But back then it vitalised gladiators to fight, energised weary soldiers to conquer, and refreshed overworked slaves building the Roman Empire.
If the name ‘posca’ sounds familiar, then you have come across its reference in the Christian Good Friday story. The drink also receives a shout-out in several ancient writings, including an essay from 1562 by a famed Italian mathematician, , who proclaimed posca as a reason why the Roman army was so superior to everyone else.
Centuries after the Roman Empire fell, posca continued to remain popular. Byzantine and Greek physicians added other flavours to the drink – often coriander, cumin or fennel seeds – to make it more palatable. These spices also provided an extra kick of energetic goodness.
As it turns out, the Roman Empire’s belief in the power of posca wasn’t just talk. It’s believed that posca contains antioxidants and vitamin C.
Simply combine water, (a modern substitute for bad wine) and ground coriander. Bring the tonic to the boil and add honey to taste.
Red dates, ginger and rock sugar
Posca isn’t the only ancient energy drink still being talked about today. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a 3000-year-old history that's overflowing with ancient tonic recipes that aim to rebalance our qi (energy or life force).
, TCM acupuncturist and herbalist, tells SBS that a drink made with red dates, ginger and rock sugar is a good example of an energising ancient Chinese drink.
“For one person, add two-to-three inches of finely sliced ginger to five-to-six red dates,” says Au, owner of in Sydney. “Add rock sugar or honey – one heaped teaspoon – for sweetness.”
Boil the mixture for five-to-10 minutes to extract the nutrients from the ingredients.
As soon as it hits the stomach, you will feel a bit warmer, and the mind and body will be stimulated.
“This drink will provide you with instant energy. The body doesn’t have to do a lot to process it or absorb its ingredients. As soon as it hits the stomach, you will feel a bit warmer, and the mind and body will be stimulated.”
Au explains that (also known as jujube) have been revered in China for centuries. that an ancient emperor fell in love with a beautiful woman while traveling in a remote part of country. The emperor stayed with the woman for a very long time but eventually left her to return to his kingdom. When he finally went back to visit his former lover, he learned that she birthed their daughter.
The emperor took his daughter back to his kingdom. In doing so, the girl started to perish and become frail. “Finally, the girl told him that she needed to eat food from her province. The emperor called for people to collect red dates from her home. Once she ate the red dates, she recovered and her beauty was restored.
“The red dates provided her with a life force that made her young, beautiful and energetic again.”
Ginger spreads qi throughout the body as it’s digested, while rock sugar or honey is a basic fuel for your cells.
The moral of this old tale is that jujubes are quite powerful. Au says have seven-to-10 times more vitamin C than most citrus fruits, are high in iron and potassium, and have an anti-inflammatory effect. In TCM, they benefit the spleen chi and generate energy, quickly. They’re often recommended to boost the energy of postnatal women.
If that's not enough of a health benefit for you, Au explains that the red date tea recipe aims to amp up the jujube power. She says when you mix red dates with ginger and honey in the form of a tea, you boost the energetic potential and reach of the drink. “Ginger spreads qi throughout the body as it’s digested, while rock sugar or honey is a basic fuel for your cells.”
Goji berries or ginseng can also be added to the beverage for extra zing.
“Consuming this drink is a great way to nourish your body and create pure qi. The drink should energise you but also help you to feel calm. It’s a lot more nourishing for the body than popularised energy drinks.”
Fermented wheat
Over in the region of Central Asia and Turkey is another energy drink that claims ancient status:
The beverage became popular in this region throughout the 10th Century and later spread to Eastern Europe, where it’s still drunk today.
Boza is a malt beverage with a low alcohol content that’s made by fermenting wheat or millet. It has a smoothie-like consistency but could also double as a sweet pudding.
Boza is said to provide warmth, energy, good bacteria and B-vitamins to all who drink it. Traditionally, it’s recommended for new mums to help boost their flow of breast milk.
The beverage that aims to give you a natural buzz is and is sold as both a drink and dessert. You can also make it at home using millet or wheat, water and sugar.
