DRINKS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Supplied

BE MERRY WITH ROKU The Japanese gin brand, Roku Japanese Gin is perfect for a party. The gin is made from six botanicals, crafted by Japanese artisans with meticulous attention to detail, which makes it perfect for any season, especially the holiday season. Try this cocktail recipe, which should ease you into the new year with pizzazz.

50ml Roku Gin 25ml kiwi Purée 5ml lime juice

Mix all ingredients together with ice. Top up with prosecco and soda water. Garnish with a kiwi slice and thyme. DID YOU KNOW? South Africa will be celebrating its 364th wine harvest in 2023!

ÒNOMA PRIVATE CELLAR’S SYRAH Awarded Double Gold at this year’s Michelangelo Wine Awards, the 2021 vintage comes from a terroir perfect for Syrah. Available from The Gourmet Grocer in Birdhaven, Johannesburg’s select wine section, or online at www.onoma.co.za. Price: From R250 per bottle

ALVI’S DRIFT 221 RANGE SAUVIGNON BLANC Recently launched as part of Alvi’s Drift’s 221 range, this sparkling bright wine with its palestraw colour honours excellence with a youthful, lime-green edge and intense aromas of fig leaf, gooseberry and lemon zest. www.alfisdrift.co.za Price: R90 per bottle

KHULU FINE WINES’ INALA With access to 500 suppliers, Mzanzi Craft Wines creates ultra-premium wines under the majority black, female owned and managed Khulu Fine Wine brand. Inala - a blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot - is definitely worth adding to your list of celebratory wines. Apply for the waiting list on www.khululuxury.com. Price: Available on request ALLESVERLOREN TINTA ROSÉ Allesverloren Wine Estate’s Malan family celebrates 150 years of custodianship this year. That calls for celebration with their beautiful, blush Tinta Rosé 2022 – a rosé blend with Tinta Barocca as the dominant variety. www.allesverloren.co.za Price: R87 per bottle

PIETER CRUYTHOFF BRUT ROSÉ The Swartland’s Riebeek Valley Co. has just added a divine new bubbly to its award-winning portfolio. The Pieter Cruythoff Brut is joined by a Brut Rosé, made in a rare style that combines the traditional Champagne technique (for flavour) and the French ‘Charmat’ method (for fizz). www.riebeekvalleywineco.com Price: R96 per bottle

SPIER GOOD NATURED As long-time leader in South African sustainability, Spier has recently launched its organic wine range, Good Natured, including a Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Shiraz and Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon. Whether you’re a fan of white or red, we can recommend them all. www.spier.co.za Price: R109 per bottle

OLD-FASHIONED COCKTAIL Having recently celebrated Old Fashioned week, we’re hooked on this vintage, slow-sipping cocktail. Old, yet fashionable, this is a great recipe to keep at hand for the festive season.

60ml Woodford Reserve Distillers Select 3-4 dashes ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters 15ml maple syrup or 1tsp sugar or a sugar cube Orange peel Ice

Add the ingredients to a mixing glass or tumbler. Add the ice and gently stir for 30-40 seconds.

Garnish with a lightly expressed (twisted) orange peel.

LABORIE CHENIN BLANC 2022 This wine received a Platinum award at this year’s Michelangelo Wine Awards. Laborie is a brand with an affinity for French traditions because of its strong French roots and it certainly reflects in their wines. www.laboriewines.co.za Price: R67 per bottle

THE INVENTER Known affectionately as Mr Brandy, South African master distiller Johan Venter has recently launched his very own potstill brandies. Now, out of retirement and all fired up to create alchemy again, he presents two limited edition XO brandies produced in the cognac tradition of open-flame distillation. www.theinventer.co.za Price: From R1250

LYRE’S AMERICAN MALT NONALCOHOLIC SPIRITS This non-alcoholic replica of one of the world’s most classic, time-tested spirits recently hit South African shores and it truly is a true-to-taste premium non-alcoholic beverage worth checking out. Lyre’s launched five variants in South Africa – the ideal substitutes to drink your dink, your way, anytime. www.lyres.co.za Price: R400 per bottle

SIX DOGS GIN What started out in a shed where the farm owners’ six dogs used to sleep, has quickly become a well-known gin brand. Now, master distiller Charles Bryant dreams and experiments with various gin creations under the watchful eyes of these six dogs: Midget, Obelix, Flea, Bodrum, Diesel and Jack. The packaging in itself is gorgeous and the perfect Christmas gift. We especially like the Six Dogs Karoo Gin (which was the first in their range) and the Six Dogs Pinotage Stained Gin – a love child of Six Dogs Gin and their neighbour’s highly prized block of Pinotage grapes. www.sixdogs.com Price: R495

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