Sharjah Shake

Kerala is ‘God’s own Country’ with its sea, beaches, sand, coconut palms and the treacherous Malabar sun. The Malabar range of hills stretches north to south, right through Kerala, with its backwaters and lush green coconut groves. Traditionally, green coconut was consumed as a household drink especially since it is rich in minerals and vitamins and helps people remain hydrated during the hot summer months.

Soon, other fruits were being extracted for juice, and vending outlets were a common sight across Kerala.

Kalanthan Koya, a Malayali fruit vendor in the 1980s, established one of the first fruit juice centres called Ameen Juice Shop in Calicut. The outlet became so popular that he soon opened multiple branches. This was followed by the inauguration of the KPK Fruit and Cool Bar in Mananchira (a busy square situated in the Kozhikode city of Kerala). This is where the legendary Sharjah Shake was first served.

The concept of fruit concoctions was already popular in the state. Along with juices, milk and ice-cream shakes were also being sold. The story goes that one evening a few young men, sitting around in the shop, were watching a televised cricket match being held in the Middle Eastern City of Sharjah. While watching this popular limited-overs game, they asked for some refreshing drinks. Koya chopped a few Njaalipoovan bananas (found and grown in Kerala) and added some frozen milk with sugar to it. He churned the mixture into a thick milky shake which was sweet and creamy, with a distinctly rich flavour of banana. After the match finished, the customers enjoyed the fruity concoction so much that they inquired about the drink. Not knowing what to say, Koya grinned and spontaneously blurted that it was called the ‘Sharjah Shake’. This fortuitous naming was understandable as the word ‘Sharjah’ was on everyone’s minds that evening, owing to the exciting match. Thus was born the legendary Sharjah Shake, which transcended Indian boundaries while simultaneously being celebrated as a Keralian delight.

Soon, the original recipe was being experimented on, with slight alterations to suit finer demands of customers. Now you have a spoonful of Bournvita or Horlicks being added to the Sharjah Shake to give it a chocolatey undertone. Figs, nuts and honey are also added as a garnish to make it more wholesome. Blending ice cream to it is another popular variant of this shake. Whatever the recipe, the Sharjah Shake has found its way into the hearts of people. It is a rich, wholesome and healthy drink – a meal by itself which keeps one happy, full and hydrated.