While most proudly South African beverages are evocative of frosted glasses and bar brawls, there are still the occasional quirky inventions that put us on the map in a far more civil way.

Red cappuccinos and espressos are the latest hot beverage to get the attention of coffee shop visitors.

They are prepared by running finely ground, export quality Rooibos tea leaves through an espresso machine to yield a thick, nutty, garnet-coloured liquid that can either be enjoyed as a single short shooter or espresso, or with added full-cream milk and honey to make a fragrant cappuccino.