Amid rising costs of edibles and other commodities, some Abuja residents have opted for homemade drinks instead of carbonated soft drinks due to their high prices.

The residents, who spoke in separate interviews on Saturday in Abuja, cited local beverages like zobo, kunu, tiger nut drinks, and fruit juices as popular and affordable alternatives.

Zobo is a traditional drink made from dried hibiscus petals and a blend of spices, while kunu is made from ground sorghum and spices.

The residents noted that these homemade drinks offered a more affordable option and were also considered healthier than carbonated soft drinks.

Adah Jacob, one of the residents, attributed the rising cost of soft drinks to the festive season and said it was cheaper for her to prepare zobo at home than to spend on carbonated beverages.

“Since soft drinks are now expensive, I’ll opt for zobo. After all, it is healthier than soft drinks and saves costs, too, because a bottle of Coke is now N450 to N500.

“A pack of 12 pieces is almost N6,000 now, whereas it used to be N2,500.
“It is unbelievable how prices have skyrocketed within a year. It will cost me less and provide more locally made drinks at home than spending so much on soft drinks,” she said.

Mary James, another resident, explained that her decision to switch to homemade drinks was not just about the high cost of soft drinks but also her desire to reduce unhealthy consumption.

“Switching to natural drinks made from foods like tiger nut and cheaper drinks like Nutri-C is more beneficial. It might just be the remedy to cut my addiction to soda and other carbonated drinks,” she said.

Ms James, who once sold soft drinks, also mentioned that she could no longer afford the products for personal use as customer patronage had dropped.

Abu Gebu, a father of four, also emphasised the growing popularity of homemade drinks as healthier alternatives, especially for children.

“It is not only that soft drinks are too expensive, but they are also too sugary for children and even some adults. With homemade drinks, you can control the amount of sugar used. It might take a little effort to make, but it’s a lot healthier, and you can make enough to share with everyone,” he said.

Meanwhile, Saminu Mohammed, a trader in Dutse Market, noted that the demand for ingredients used to make these local drinks had increased.
He explained that he sells hibiscus petals for N1,500 per mudu and sorghum for N1,200 per mudu.

“Patronage has been very good. I believe more people are opting for local drinks because it’s cheaper to make and serves more people than soft drinks,” Mr Mohammed said. “These drinks are no longer peculiar to northerners; every tribe now makes and drinks them, as long as you can make them tasty with good spices. This has increased patronage for us sellers.”

(NAN)