Rooibos-infused Panna Cotta Recipe

Posted on Tue December 6, 2022.

We are excited to share one of our favourite summer recipes with you - a light and creamy Panna Cotta that we regularly serve to guests at the lodge. Below, you will find the recipe for this beautifully light dessert. We hope you enjoy bringing the South African flavours of Shumbalala Game Lodge into your kitchen this festive season.

ROOIBOS-INFUSED PANNA COTTA RECIPE

Ingredients

  • 125 ml freshly brewed strong Rooibos espresso tea
  • 50 g light brown sugar
  • 375 ml fresh cream
  • 2 tsp gelatin powder

Rooibos Syrup

  • 5 Tbsp strong brewed rooibos tea
  • 110 g sugar
  • 50 ml honey

Method

  • Pour the rooibos and sugar into a saucepan on medium heat and stir until sugar has dissolved.
  • Stir in the cream and bring the temperature down to a low heat.
  • While the cream mixture is gently heating up, pour 2 tsp water in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin on top, so that it’s completely covered in water. Let this rest for about 5 minutes or until gelatin has completely softened.
  • When the cream mixture is about to boil (when it starts to bubble around the edges) take the saucepan off the heat.
  • Take 1/2 cup of cream mixture and mix into the softened gelatin and stir to dissolve completely.
  • Add this 1/2 cup cream back into the remaining cream in the saucepan and whisk to mix thoroughly.
  • Pour the mixture into a set of ramekins or glasses and let them rest in the fridge overnight, until set.
  • Rooibos syrup - In a small pot add 5 Tbsp of brewed rooibos, sugar & honey. Bring the mixture to a boil, stir until the sugar has dissolved. Pour the syrup in a jar and set aside to pour over the panna cottas when you serve them :) Enjoy!

We look forward to welcoming you to Shumbalala Game Lodge in the near future.

Further Reading

Leopard in tree at Shumbalala Game Lodge
Beyond the sightings: finding meaning in the search Mon June 30, 2025

There’s a certain rhythm to life in the bush — one that can’t be rushed or predicted. And for many guests at Shumbalala Game Lodge, the most meaningful moments aren’t always the ones that make it onto Instagram. A real safari is about more than ticking animals off a list. It’s about the process — the waiting, the watching, the wondering.

Read This Article
Shumbalala Game Lodge view
Why the Bush Beats the Beach: A Different Kind of Honeymoon at Shumbalala Game Lodge Thu May 15, 2025

If you’re planning your honeymoon and find yourself torn between golden beaches and something a little different, you’re not alone. The beach is a classic choice — but we’re here to let you in on a little secret: A honeymoon in the bush is something magical. And at Shumbalala Game Lodge, in the heart of the Thornybush Private Nature Reserve, it might just be the most romantic escape you never knew you...

Read This Article
When giants visit: Elephant moments at the waterhole Tue April 15, 2025

At Shumbalala Game Lodge, some mornings come with coffee and a view. Others come with coffee and elephants. You never quite know which — and that’s part of the magic. The birds are calling, the air is crisp, and the day begins slowly, just as it should in the bush. Then, through the thickets, the unmistakable sound of movement. A soft crackle of leaves, the low rustle of branches — and then,...

Read This Article