Space Juice first place winner

The winning recipe in ESA’s Space Juice contest was created by Margherita Gagnoni and was inspired by Europa’s geology. It combines European and tropical flavours with a blue ocean of spirulina, an ancient algae to represent possible life conditions in the icy moon.

The main ingredients of tonic water, coconut water, ginger ale and apple juice make a for a tasty tropical blend. Sparkling powder represents geological activity and gives the drink a very special look. Rock crystal sugar sinks to the bottom to represent the moon’s rocky core, while ice and a dusting of cinnamon represents the surface. The finishing touch of a star anise on a cocktail stick gives the appearance of palm trees in French Guiana.

Recipe:
-30% tonic water
-30% coconut water
-20% ginger ale 
-20% apple juice 
-1/3 teaspoon of blue spirulina 
-A pinch of edible golden sparkling powder

• Mix all ingredients listed above and transfer to a glass
• Add a spoon of brown rock crystal sugar and let it precipitate
• Top with crushed ice and sprinkle with cinnamon powder
• For the decoration use sticks with star anise

Judge’s tip: Add a straw. If you cannot source blue spirulina substitute with blue food dye to achieve the beautiful colour.