Shall I drink in Jolie - Juice Mixology?

Would you like a special drink experience?

I have already mentioned more than once how beautiful Madeira is. Especially its nature makes it so different from other Europeans islands. I have already posted some articles about traditional food (cakes, snacks) which is another thing that brings plus points to this island.

When going to Madeira and spending time with locals, you will realize that it is not even possible to catch up with them when talking about going to cafés. They do not mind drinking coffee in four different cafés just in a day! I prefer drinking other drinks than coffee which is not an issue for avoiding spending a free time with Madeirienses,

A really nice recommendation

Once I got in touch with a lady who posted pictures from Madeira This lady chose me as a participant for an Erasmus+ project which started my passion for Erasmus some years ago. I texted her that I was living in Madeira and so I would like to meet her in person. Unfortunately, by the time she put those photos on the Internet, she had been gone.

She left me with a nice recommendation where to go for a cup of coffee/smoothie/juice. Honestly, I am not a coffee hunter who would visit one café after another but as she sent me even some pictures, I decided to go there.

Picture: The recommended place.

Jolie - Juice Mixology

The place called Jolie is a tiny juice bar which can be found in a “patio” of Mercado dos Lavradores. Mercado dos Lavradores is the most famous market place in Funchal which almost every tourist visits.

So what is so special about this juice bar that I have decided to write an article about it? Well, it is in a very nice place – surrounded by the market life and still so relaxing inside. The best about it all is the interior where they have got swings! Yes, swings! So you can get your drink and enjoy it while swinging a little bit. There are also some books which you can borrow and read while sitting in the café.

Picture: Is this not lovely?

Is it a busy place?

It is a really tiny juice bar, so it can get crowded. However, if you get there and catch one of approximately five tables, you will probably feel comfortable. The thing is that as it is in the left upper corner (but still in the basement), many people do not even notice it. People go and taste passion fruit in the market, than they usually move to the first floor and to see a fish department. So they do not go inside of La Jolie.

On the other hand, when people see it, they go inside and then it gets full quickly.

What about prices?

This place is definitely not the cheapest one if you want to get a drink. However, as I do not expect you to go there every day, I believe the price of drinks is affordable. You can also think of it as buying an experience. I mention this point because of the swings and also because of flavours of the drinks they prepare.

It is hot!

I went there twice, always with a different company. Once, I took there a gentleman from Madeira and once I visited La Jolie with two Czech people. The second time turned into a lot of fun. We asked for a drink with sweet chilli pepper, honey and cinnamon. When a really stout man was finally brought the drink, he tasted it curiously. What happened next nobody expected! He opened his eyes widely, winked few times, got red and opened his mouth with a breath out like if he were a dragon.

He commented the whole situation: “Oh, it is too spicy (hot)! Is this what a sweat chilli pepper means?” Despite of some kind of tears in his eyes after drinking that super hot cocktail, I could not believe that it would be so hot. This guy enjoys making fun of many things so I thought he was pretending.

Picture: It was really spicy!

I decided to take a sip. Woooow! He was not kidding at all. I also opened my eyes widely and opened my mouth to get some fresh “cold” air. I did not see myself in a mirror, but I would bet I turned as red as a tomato!

Well, we finished the drink and we laughed a lot during drinking it. All grimaces the drink put on our faces were incredible. We know we would definitely not ask for the drink any other time, but if you decide to visit La Jolie, get it. It will be a huge experience.

Do they have everything that spicy?

Not at all – they do not sell only such “hard core” /extreme drinks. As I have already mentioned, they have got many different kinds of drinks and they are really nice, delicious. They mix such kinds of fruit and vegetable that you cannot even imagine what taste it would bring to your tongue.

Last few words

If you are in Mercado dos Lavradores, find this place called La Jolie and spend some money there. You will enjoy spending time in such a cosy place with swings and nice drinks.

Picture: You will find La Jolie in Mercado dos Lavradores.

I know it is not the cheapest place to visit, but it is also a kind of “Madeira trip” experience.

If you are hungry, you can get some small snacks/cakes there as well. Or, as it is in the area of the huge market, you can get some fruit and vegetable at the market.

If you prefer large open spaces when going to cafés, you know this would not be the place for you. But still, I mean, you can give it a go. The swings will compensate everything.

The cherry on the top is the service. Employees of La Jolie are usually very nice and humble. Moreover, as it is a small place where they work, they pay attention to their customers.

So what do you think? Will you visit Jolie - Juice Mixology?

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