OnTap Magazine

Sedgwick’s Old Brown Sherry has been around since 1916 and is a local legend. Made in the sweet Oloroso style, this sherry remains massively popular across a broad spectrum of South African drinkers. It is known across the country as a go to ‘regmaker’ for cold nights and mild illness. So much so that the producers, Distell, had to make an official statement to counter a viral message proclaiming ‘Obies’ as the cure for Covid-19 in July 2020. Loved by all manner of people all around the country, Rooibos is the first African food product to receive the status of a protected designation of origin in the EU Register of Protected Designations of Origin and Protected Geographical Indications. This puts it on par with products such as Tequila, Prosecco, and Champagne, and is something we should all be very proud of. Almost inseparable from its most popular brand, Number 1 Mageu, with its instantly recognisable black potjie logo, this form of the traditional South African fermented mielie pap drink competes with the likes of Coca-Cola for ubiquitous availability across the country. Being both delicious and incredibly nourishing make this the perfect snack-drink, and South Africans love it. The National Order of the Baobab is the highest honour which can be bestowed upon a South African for exceptional and distinguished services in fields including medicine and community service. I’d argue that if Creme Soda were a person, it should be given this award for its tireless efforts in combating the hangovers of many generations of South African drinkers. While likely not a South African invention, the pairing of brandy with coke is woven into the fabric of our country. Stand at the counter of any bar anywhere in the republic and you can be sure that at least one in five drinks ordered will be brandy and coke. Not just some quirky mix, brandy and coke makes a natural pairing, with the sweetness appealing to the South African palate. Just a disclaimer, at that same bar anywhere in the country where one in five drinks is brandy and coke, at least one in five people is likely to pick a fight. The South African version of moonshine, this high-alcohol spirit is legend among South Africans of legal drinking age, and everyone has their “one night we were drinking mampoer and…” stories. Originally produced as tank fuel for South African troops involved in the North African campaign during World War II (no, not really), mampoer remains the drink you need to already be drunk to try and one of the best marketing channels for creme soda (see above). OLD BROWN SHERRY MAGEU BRANDY AND COKE ROOIBOS CREME SODA MAMPOER 01 02 03 04 05 06 ontapmag.co.za | Spring 2022 | 53