South African Drinks You May Love

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more information.

If you enjoy exploring different flavors, you’ll love South Africa. The food is great, and so are the South African drinks!

This is a collection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks that are indigenous to South Africa.

South African Drinks - Alcoholic

Wines

South African Wines need no introduction. They are freely available everywhere, and they are good! Many of them are internationally acclaimed and renowned.

There are all kinds of variations of wine available, so you can freely pick and choose.

For the absolute best wine experience, go to the wineries in Cape Town. It does depend on which wineries you go to, but for the most part, the staff are extremely knowledgeable about their wines. They can tell you about how the flavors of the wine is influenced by the wind, and other things that grow in the region. It’s fascinating!

Amarula Cream Liqueur

Amarula is made from the fruit of the marula tree. It’s a firm favorite among elephants and monkeys, who become a little drunk after eating too much of the over-ripe marula fruits.

Amarula is a sweet and creamy liqueur. It’s similar to Baileys, Carolans, and other similar liqueurs. It can be enjoyed on the rocks, added to coffee, ice cream, or shots.

While it may not be widely available around the world, you can find them in some American liquor stores.

Van Der Hum Liqueur

This is a citrus-flavored, blood-orange-colored, syrupy kind of liqueur. It’s originally from Cape Town. It is made with herbs, spices, sugar, tangerines, diluted wine, and pot still brandy.

Van Der Hum is very aromatic. Enjoy it as a substitute for whiskey in a Manhattan.

Springbokkies

A springbokkie is a sweet shot. It is named after the South African rugby team – the Springboks. The drink represents the colors of their rugby jersey—green and gold.

The gold part of the shot is Amarula, which is another favorite in South Africa. (Truth be told, it is more brown than gold, but who cares.) The green in the drink is either peppermint liqueur and/or green crème de menthe.

This is a very popular drink—you can ask for it in almost any bar around the country.

South African Beers

If you enjoy a good beer, you’ll enjoy what South Africa has to offer. There are several commercial beers to choose from. If you are a little bit more adventurous, visit Durban and Cape Town for a big variety of craft beers. You can often visit local breweries for tastings.

Some local favorites are Afro Caribbean, Devil’s Peak, Clarens Brewery, Mitchell’s, Jack Black, Agar’s, Copperlake, Sabie Brewing Co, and Gilroy’s Brewery.

Umqombothi

Pronounced ooh-kohm-boh-tee.

Umqombothi is a traditional African beer made from smashed-up maize (corn), maize malt, sorghum malt, yeast, and water. It is sour, thick, and creamy, with a gritty consistency.

It is high in vitamin B. Umqombothi has a lower alcohol content compared to commercial beers.

It is usually drunk in a communal setting where it is shared between friends and family, at weddings, funerals, and traditional meetings.

It is also traditionally consumed to celebrate the homecoming of young men in the Xhosa culture, after their religious male circumcision and initiation.

Witblits

Witblits is the Afrikaans word for “white lightning.” This drink is also known as “firewater” because it is very strong.

Witblits is South Africa’s version of moonshine. It is a grape-fermented amateur brandy that is mostly produced and consumed in the Western Cape.

Mampoer

Mampoer is truly indigenous to South Africa. Some claim that Mampoer is the fruitier alternative to Witblits.

Mampoer is considered by many as peach brandy, but it’s also available in other fruity flavors like apricot, figs, pomegranates, pineapples, lemons, litchi, etc.

Non-Alcoholic South African Drinks

But it’s not just alcoholic drinks that you have to look forward to. There are also a few indigenous non-alcoholic South African drinks you may enjoy.

Rooibos Tea

Rooibos tea as become so common around the world, many people don’t even know that it’s from South Africa.

It is a firm favorite tea that can be enjoyed black, with lemon, or with milk. It tastes great warm, or serve it as ice tea with a little lemon juice and an optional sweetener of your choice. In some grocery stores, you can even buy juices that are mixed with Rooibos tea.

Rooibos tea is very popular in South Africa. And with good reason! Rooibos tea is not only delicious, it’s very healthy too.

Amasi

Amasi is a thick, slightly sour, fermented milk beverage (similar to kefir). It’s an excellent source of probiotics. Drinking Amasi regularly can lead to improved immune response and better absorption of vitamins and minerals.

You can buy Amasi almost anywhere in the country in grocery stores.

Mageu / amaHewu

This is another fermented, non-alcoholic drink. This one is made from fermented mealie pap (which is a traditional South African corn porridge).

Mageu is a thin carbohydrate-rich porridge drink. It’s often used as a meal replacement.

Mageu is made by adding sorghum and flour to maize (corn) porridge. Water is added and left in the sun to ferment for a day or two.

Mageu is high in vitamin B and probiotics. It is available in a few fruity flavors, and is said to improve digestion.

LOVE THIS POST? SHARE IT...

TAGS:

What the locals love

Things to do in Cape Town - Paarl South Africa

September 2023

October

MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
SU

28
29
30
31
1
2
3

4
5
6
7
8
9
10

11
12
13
14
15
16
17

18
19
20
21
22
23
24 Heritage Day (National Holiday) Heritage Day (National Holiday) All Day His his speech marking South Africa’s first Heritage day, President Nelson Mandela said: When our first democratically-elected government decided to make Heritage Day one of our national days, we did so because we knew that our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our new nation. W , ...

25
26
27
28
29
30
1

Want to have your business or product featured?

We’re always looking for awesome places, products, activities, restaurants, travel accessories, or anything else that promotes the rich and colorful culture of South Africa.

Sale

Ceptics South Africa Travel Plug Adapter (Type M) - 3 Pack [Grounded & Universal] (GP-10L-3PK)

Small Travel Size - 3 Pack
Standard: Type M plug, South Africa CEE 7/16. Grounded 3-Prong plug.
Accepts plugs from all countries including USA.
New conductivity design - internal metal interfaces provides better Conductivity
Grounded 3 Round Prong plug. Max Capacity Up to 3000 Watt (max 250 Volt, 13 A)

Sale

Money Belt for Men Travel Security Belt with Hidden Money Compartment Pocket, Cashsafe Anti-Theft Wallet Non-Metal Buckle

PATENT PENDING ; (🔥 KEEP YOUR CASH HIDDEN FROM YOUR WIFE / GF!🔥 ) Travel Security Money Belt
🔒 BYE BYE PICKPOCKETS 💵 - DESIGNED FOR TRAVEL TSA 🧳 - keep your cash safe from pickpockets; equipped with an easy-to-use hidden zippered...
💪 DURABLE - Made with Premium YKK Zipper with reinforced non-slip buckle, Adjustable wear-resisting nylon materia for waist sizes 26 to 42 inches....
✅ Easy access and storage; quickly stash and remove your bills, coins, and keys with ease
✅ NOT JUST A NORMAL BELT - It is a Long-lasting companion; made of premium quality top-grade webbing, YKK zipper, and a reinforced buckle; this...

TRAVELREST Nest Memory Foam Travel Pillow/Neck Pillow - Advanced Neck Support for Long Flights - Patented Design for Optimal Relaxation - Long Travel - Unmatched Sleep - Machine Washable - Blue

OPTIMAL SLEEP IN THE SKIES - TOP AIRPLANE NECK PILLOW FOR 2018 - 2023: ENDORSED BY THE NEW YORK TIMES WIRECUTTER. After undergoing multiple...
SLEEP INNOVATION: The Travelrest Ultimate shines with its distinctively angled back that stays flat against the seat, ensuring impeccable...
REVITALIZE YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCE: Engineered with thermo-sensitive memory foam, our flight pillow delivers optimal support for neck, shoulder, and...
EFFORTLESS RELAXATION EVERYWHERE YOU GO: Our neck pillow is your ultimate companion for long flights, car trips, train journeys, buses, couch...
SEAMLESS TRAVEL CONVENIENCE, STYLISH CHOICES: Explore our flight pillow, featuring sophisticated gray and vibrant blue options. This package includes...

Sale

INIU Portable Charger, Slimmest 10000mAh 5V/3A Power Bank, USB C in&out High-Speed Charging Battery Pack, External Phone Powerbank Compatible with iPhone 15 14 13 12 11 Samsung S22 S21 Google iPad etc

✅【From INIU--the SAFE Fast Charge Pro】Experience the safest charging with over 38 million global users. At INIU, we use only the highest-grade...
✅【Market's Thinnest 10000mAh】 The market’s one and only 0.5-inch power bank that breaks the limit of 10000mAh, easily slipped into any travel...
✅【Only 5% Got USB-C IN&OUT】INIU is the only 5% of power banks got a USB-C IN&OUT port. Unlike others only recharge via USB-C port, INIU can...
✅【3A High-Speed Charging】3A fast charging fuels iPhone up to 78% in just one hour. INIU's AutoFit identifies and meets your device's ideal...
✅【15-Layer SAFE Charging】INIU's unique 15-Layer SmartProtect system shrugs off any unusual charging at the start. Take overheating risk and...