Cap Tikus is a traditional drink very familiar for the Minahasa people, this drink is always served in various social and cultural events, both joy and sorrow. Culturally, the Minahasa community consumes cap tikus as an energy drink especially for the farmers to increase their energy to work as well as to maintain their healthy body. Usually farmers also drink cap tikus after working in the fields in order to prevent colds because of cold air in the Minahasa mountain area.

As a health drink, cap tikus can improve blood circulation, killing viruses and bacteria, warming the body, eliminating bad cholesterol, and preventing diabetes.

For Minahasa women who have just given birth, they have to drink cap tikus which has been mixed with certain herbs such as cloves, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, peppercorns, and other hot plants (they call it, Pinaraci) for 40 days. It is useful to heat the body as well as to remove the women’s dirty blood from their reproductive organs.

During the covid-19 pandemic, cap tikus was consumed by various groups in the Manado city. They believed that cap tikus containing up to 80 percent alcohol can kill virus and function as a disinfectant.

Keywords : Cap Tikus, Health Drink, Minahasa Community