African Alcoholic Beverages

Hailing from South Africa, this cream liqueur is produced with a base spirit that is distilled from carefully selected and hand-picked fruits of African marula, which is also known as elephant tree. The base is aged and then combined with sugar an... READ MORE

Pinotage is a red grape variety indigenous to South Africa. It was created in 1925 from Pinot Noir and Cinsault (also known as Hermitage), but it does not have much in common with its ancestors. These bold wines can be made in different s... READ MORE

Hailing from Cape Verde, grogue is a sugar cane spirit and a favorite national drink. Though it can be found throughout the archipelago, the center of production is mainly concentrated on the islands of Santo Antão and Santiago, an... READ MORE

Dawa is a Kenyan cocktail that was allegedly inspired by Brazilian Caipirinha. It is a simple cocktail that combines vodka, honey, lime, and sugar. The cocktail is made by muddling limes and sugar in an old-fashioned glass. The combinatio... READ MORE

Although Chenin Blanc has its origins in the French Loire valley, it is often cultivated in other wine regions. It has shown great success in South Africa—where it remains the most planted variety and where it is known as Steen. Bec... READ MORE

Boukha is a clear, colorless Tunisian spirit that is distilled from fermented figs. The drink was first produced in 1820 by Yaakov Bokobsa. Together with his sons, he perfected the recipe in 1870, and the drink is still produced following... READ MORE

Umqombothi is a South African beer made from sorghum and maize that is low in alcohol (3% to 4% ABV). This home-brewed beer has a centuries-old tradition, and it is mostly associated with the Xhosa and Zulu people. It is usually made with... READ MORE

Springbokkie is a South African layered shooter consisting of equal parts crème de menthe and Amarula cream liqueur. In order to prepare it, Amarula should be poured into a shot glass first, followed by crème de menthe. The ... READ MORE

Thibarine is a sweet liqueur that hails from Tunisia. It is often said that it is based on dates, but the exact ingredients and the recipe are held secret. The only known ingredients include alcohol, sugar, and botanicals. The drink was f... READ MORE

Tej is often classified as mead or honey wine. This traditional drink hails from Ethiopia, but it is also common in Eritrea. It is prepared with a mixture of honey, water, and gesho leaves—officially known as Rhamnus prinoides&mdash... READ MORE

Mbege is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented bananas. The drink is traditionally made by Chaga (Chagga) people—the Bantu-speaking ethnic group who traditionally live on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. Tradition... READ MORE

Pontche is a type of liqueur that hails from Cape Verde. In its basic form, it is a combination of grogue—sugar cane spirit—and molasses or honey. Sometimes, lime juice is also added to the mix. The original version o... READ MORE

Pito is a fermented African beverage that is often classified as beer. It is produced with fermented millet or sorghum, or sometimes a combination of both. The drink is primarily associated with Nigeria and Ghana, but it is also common in... READ MORE