Original Mix

Three hundred kilograms of fruits are peeled daily,with at least a dozen variety of fruits making to the counter.

While the traditional recipes continue,mocktails have been making an appearance since 2001 after Raphael brought his catering and hospitality management school’s wisdom to the shop.

Soon,the tiny 20 suare feet kiosk transformed into a “juice bar” as stall drinks started getting mysterious names,and new flavours started getting experimented. Strawberry,mulberry,watermelon and litchi mix is called the ‘Laser Beam’. “It’s surprising how even with so many fruits,you still get a straight flavour,one taste,just like a focused laser beam,” says Raphael.

Busy summer afternoons go loud outside his shop with customers yelling ‘Bone Chiller’ for a soothing mix of musk melon,mulberries and strawberries. At least a thousand glasses are pushed across the counter in peak hours. The shop also has a courtesy drink priced at Rs 10. As a gratitude to the city,the shop serves the ‘Mix’,a mocktail of pineapple,apple,chikoo,grape,anjeer and papaya. “It’s a crowd-puller. Even with the inflation,we have not changed the price for over five decades. My grandfather used jaggery,we use sugar. The regulars have introduced this drink to their next generation. We call it our courtesy drink,” explains Raphael.

“Mix’ also helps in attracting more customers. “It’s a sight. Occupants of cabs often slow down to see what the crowd is about,” he adds.

While other frequented fruit joints in the city have introduced synthetic drinks and syrupy mocktails in their menu,Canara has invested in premium and exotic fruits. So it’s probably the only stall to have a variation of drinks made from fruits like avacados,dragon fruit,Thai litchi and red guava. Even premium fruits of the season are made to tango with seasonal favourites. “The ‘Iron Shot’ blends the summery pulpy mango with the vigorous fig,while ‘Master Blaster’ sees a relaxed combination of mangoes with mulberries. So endearing are the exotic fruits that the boys at the counter can identify the request irrespective of the accent. “There are a few local Marathis who call it ‘Hawa Kado De’,while south Indians call it ‘Ada Kado’.There is one customer who calls for ‘Ek Anaconda’. We love it,” he adds. Regulars like Mohan Kumar,journalist and musician adds,“They always surprise you with their refreshing experimentation with fruit combinations.”

The menu also has combinations suggested by regulars. “During one monsoon,a broker asked us to try mixing peach and grapes. We hadn’t heard this. Today,the drink is popular and is called the ‘Broker’s Shot’,” he adds. While its first namesake emerged in early 2000,the owners have now stopped counting. “There are at least six shops that have copied our drinks,our names. We are just flattered,” he claims.