Just when we thought Delhi’s food innovation had reached its peak with butter chicken momos and Maggi pakoras, the cultural chefs of Dilli have decided to hard-launch a new drink: Cough Syrup Chai. Yes, you heard that right. It’s soothing, it’s syrupy, and according to a viral video circulating like monsoon dengue, it’s becoming a favorite in some gallis of West Delhi.
The drink, peddled with the artistic confidence of a bearded hipster barista, is essentially cardamom chai laced with a healthy—or should we say unhealthy—dose of over-the-counter cough syrup. It’s the beverage equivalent of reading WebMD and diagnosing yourself with everything. And yet, Delhiites are flocking to it like it’s a prescription for happiness.
The video shows a crowd cheerfully slurping the purple potion, as if NyQuil was the new chai masala. It’s all going viral, faster than your last COVID report. The vendor claims it’s calming and “good for the throat,” which sounds like something your dadi would say if she majored in pharmacological storytelling.
But before we judge, let’s remember: This is a city where pav bhaji gets served with cheese so thick it qualifies as a second home loan. Compared to that, cough syrup chai seems almost reasonable. After all, this is the same population that willingly eats golgappas from a pothole and calls it an adrenaline rush. Who are we to interrupt this medicinal tea party?
Still, maybe—just maybe—we shouldn’t be turning India’s favorite remedy-for-all into a daily beverage. Because while ‘kadak chai’ is good, ‘codeine cocktail’ chai probably shouldn’t become your default workday survival potion, unless you’re hoping for a deep nap during your Zoom call with the boss.
So here’s a gentle thought. Let’s savor the spirit of food experimentation, but leave the medicines where they belong—in the medicine cabinet (and occasionally in your mom’s purse next to a mysterious 6-year-old Vicks).
Stay quirky, Delhi. But if you absolutely must spice up your chai, stick to ginger, elaichi, or maybe even a brave laung. Just maybe not the pharmacist’s entire shelf.
#CoughSyrupChai
#DelhiFoodFever
#ViralTeaTrends
#WhatsBrewingDelhi
#SipWithCaution
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