Our Favourite African Holiday Drinks

What’s Your Holiday Poison?

What are sundowners without G&Ts? An early morning in the bush without coffee? A boat cruise down the Chobe or a catamaran ride in Mauritius without cocktails?

Not as much fun, is what we think…

Whether on safari in the African bush or on a tropical Indian Ocean holiday, it’s these little things that make all the difference. And don’t worry, the guides and skippers are one step ahead of you and will be jumping at you with icy drinks. Otherwise, you can just open the mini bar in your suite and mix your own poison. Make your self at home. You’re on holiday!

Here are some of our favourite drinks to indulge in while on holiday in Africa:

G&T (Gin and Tonic)

Ingredients:

• 2 or 3 ounces London dry gin
• 1 healthy wedge of lime(s)
• 6 ounces tonic water

Best enjoyed: In a relaxed mood, preferably on the deck of a safari lodge or in your private plunge pool, overlooking the wilderness. But, heck, we’re not opposed to being on an island somewhere in the Indian Ocean either… the Maldives, the Seychelles, you name it.

Mojito

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon powdered sugar
• Juice from 1 lime
• 4 mint leaves
• 1 sprig of mint
• 50 grams Havana Club white Rum
• 50 grams club soda

Best enjoyed: On the beach of a tropical island – Seychelles, Maldives, Mauritius… It’s a drink fancied by the greats like Ernest Hemingway, Brigitte Bardot and Nat King Cole. We like it too.

• For the Seychelles, we recommend reclining on a deck chair at Banyan Tree Seychelles, on one of the world’s best 10 beaches. The villas have their own swimming pool and private outdoor Jacuzzi. We could go through our entire drinks list here.
• For Mauritius, try Le Touessrok – set on on a private peninsula on the East Coast, spread across four beaches and two separate islands.
• In the Maldives stay at Naladhu Maldives, a six-star resort on Veligandu Huraa island in the South Male Atoll – complete with enticing infinity pool.

Champagne

Best enjoyed: We could drink bubbly anytime, anywhere, but it’s best enjoyed when celebrating. On Honeymoon?

We’d excuse you having the whole bottle between the two of you and then ordering another! F Scott Fitzgerald loved champagne and when he was cutting back he’d limit himself to 30 bottles of beer a day. Best not to cut back then. Cheers!

Rock Shandy

Ingredients:

• Use a tall glass, half to 3/4 filled wich ice
• Add half a glass of lemonade to half a glass of ginger ale
• Add a dash of Angostura bitters and a slice of lemon and sitr

Best enjoyed: Especially on a very thirst quenching on a hot day. Just mix and drink. This is a great low-alcohol option so those safari nights don’t get too out of hand…

Amarula Coffee

Ingredients:

• 6 x 250 ml strong filter coffee
• 6 tots (25 to 30 ml each) Amarula liqueur
• 200ml whipped cream
• chocolate shavings

Best enjoyed: on an early morning game drive when there’s a chill in the air. Wrap you hands around a big mug of this and woosh – heaven on earth. Pour coffee into six cups; add liqueur. Spoon cream on top; sprinkle with chocolate. For Teetotallers – ditch the Amarula and enjoy a great, simple morning shot of caffeine.

Bloody Mary

Ingredients:

• 50 grams vodka
• 10 grams tomato juice
• 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 splash Worcestershire sauce
• 3 to 4 dashes Tabasco
• 1 teaspoon horseradish

Best enjoyed: After one too many G&Ts for a bit of the old “hair of the dog that bit you”. While your blood deals with the new alcohol it ignores the old from the night before and the tomato juice and celery are full of replenishing vitamins. Serve in a highball glass with ice. Shaken or stirred, as desired. Garnish with a celery and enjoy with a skewer of olives.

• What are your favourite drinks to indulge in when on holiday in Africa – whether a bush safari, city break or an Indian Ocean island escape?