Lucozade

When we were kids, Nana & Grandad used to give us this beverage when we were "poorly".  I sometimes faked being sick because I loved the stuff.  In fact, I still crave it when I'm not feeling great.  It used to come in a large glass bottle that was wrapped in bright yellow cellophane (a big part of the appeal).  When we moved to Canada it became a rare treat because it was hard to find.   Then for years it disappeared completely.  I recently discovered that our local Asian market carries it, and even though I'm perfectly healthy, I was driving near T&T Market today and decided to stop in and buy some. I bought their entire stock!  Not as bad as it sounds really - they only had 6 tiny bottles on the shelf.

Of course it's now packaged in plastic bottles (oh, the guilt) and there's none of that wonderful crinkly cellophane that was so much fun to look through.  I think that was the medicinal property.  It's hard to feel like crap when the world is all bright and sunshine-y yellow. 

And what's this?  I sure as heck don't remember any Chinese writing on it!

Oh, but the taste is exactly the same!  It's like time travelling.  Each sip transports me back 50 years and 5000 miles.  I'm 5 years old, I'm in Nana's kitchen, and all is right with the world!   Well, except for one tiny little problem.  I don't know if it always had such a high caffeine content or not.  Certainly mini me never noticed it - but adult me sure does!  Boing!  I'm gonna be awake all night.