The thing about travelling in summer is there are so many opportunities to have sundowners. You're not working; the sun shines all the way until 7:30pm. It's good times and a bit of a gimmick will make those sundowners even more fun. We've come up with one for you. Around the world in a tipple.
Basically you travel the world through what you drink. It's like drinking in the culture without having to travel all the way to that specific country.
Make sure that you have a designated driver though. Or call a cab.
Vintage port
This sweet drink is made from red grapes of a single harvest and fortified by Portuguese brandy. It's smoother than that wine but it hits you much harder and if you're not careful you'll wake up with a headache the next morning.
Place of origin: It's from Duoro Valley, Portugal.
Have it after: A great dinner out at Carla's Portuguese Restaurant in Muizenberg.
9 York Road, Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa
021 788 6860
OR: Visit the Route 62 wine route just north of Nature's Valley in the Klein Karoo
Two vineyards on the route, Die Krans and Boplaas, produce world-class port. Taste and get some to take home.
Cognac
This drink has been made famous by most of the baddies from the James Bond films. Somehow the villain always likes this drink that's distilled from white wine and then left to age in oak casks.
Place of origin: Cognac, France.
Have it after: The closest thing we have to France in South Africa is Franschhoek. The activities in this town range from chocolate tasting, wine tours or eating at the beloved restaurants of the town.
OR: Go to Kennedy's Cigar bar in Long Street, Cape Town and have a laid back cigar evening with cognac to go with the mood.
251 Long Street
021 424-1212
Margarita
This tequila-based drink needs no introduction. Well-loved as it is, it is probably the world's most famous Mexican drink.
It doesn't matter how you have it; frozen, seven parts tequila four parts Triple sec three parts lemon, or with strawberry flavoured. As long as you dig it!
Place of origin: Somewhere in Mexico.
Have it after: Spending the day at the beach getting way too much sun at Fat Cactus in Mowbray, Cape Town. It just isn't margaritas without burritos, fajitas and jalapenos.
47 Durban Road
021 685 1920
Sake
This traditional Japanese rice wine is made from rice, yeast and water fermented and brewed at cold temperatures. It varies in taste from dry to sweet-ish. It's delicious and it's kick will surprise you.
Place of origin: Japan
Have it after: A sushi making lesson at Florentines' in Kennilworth, Cape Town. Just get a group friends together and take a lesson (don't eat, you must leave space for dinner) and then drive into town.
And eat at: Willoughby's at the V@A Waterfront. Great Japanese meals, and a few products to buy to take home and of course, sake. Have it cold!
Mampoer
Come back home with something strictly (and strongly) local. This famous local brew is made from fermented marulas, naartjies, lemons, limes, apricots and whatever fruit the brewer might think worthy. It's powerful stuff that should be drunk with caution.
Place of origin: South Africa
Have it after: Viewing just how it is made. Visit the Nyati distillery of the Route 62 brandy route in the Garden Route. Best thing about this distillery is it's on a game farm.
So you can view game then later go on a mampoer tour and sample all the products on location.
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