Our signature welcome Gwango drink

Aug 28, 2025

There is no better way to say “you have arrived” at Gwango than with our signature welcome drink. It’s become a little tradition here …something refreshing and uniquely ours. Guests usually arrive wide-eyed from the bush and before bags are even set down, a glass is in hand. It’s our way of saying take a breath, you are here now.

The drink is simple and made with the Chaya we grow here. With lots of hard work and research, Chaya has become one of our favourites and one of the most resilient leafy plants at Gobelo Farm. We dry and powder the leaves, then mix them with fresh lemons from the orchard, a touch of sweetness and creamy milk to bring it all together. The result is light, smooth and surprisingly refreshing, with just enough zing to wake you up after the journey.

Here’s how we make it:

Ingredients

• Chaya leaves, hand-harvested and shade-dried, then powdered

• Fresh lemons from Gobelo Farm, cut into wedges

• A hint of sugar syrup or honey

• Creamy condensed milk or locally-sourced sheep milk

Method:

Blend the chaya powder with the lemon juice, sugar syrup and milk until smooth. Strain if needed, then pour into a champagne flute for a touch of elegance. Serve chilled.

That’s it. Nothing complicated, nothing you need to hunt for in fancy shops. Just a few simple ingredients mixed to create something that has become part of the Gwango experience.

Guests always ask what’s in it and some expect to hear a cocktail, others guess it’s a herbal tonic. We smile and tell them it’s both. Just simpler and better than that. It’s a drink made from a leaf that thrives in the Kalahari, lemons from our trees and a little creativity. It’s a taste of the farm, the forest and the welcome that waits here.

When you next arrive at Gwango, we will welcome you with your Chaya drink too. Just to remind you that you have arrived. And chances are, it will end up as your favorite drink.

Until next time,
  the Gobelo Team