Delicious South African Drinks to Try Today in 2026

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African Drinks

Other than cocktails, Africa has its share of local drinks.

Here are a few off the top of my head:

Traditional African Drinks Alcoholic & Non-alcoholic (Including South African Drinks/Drinks in South Africa/South African Beverages)

• Umqombothi (South Africa)
• Witblits (South Africa)
• Haragi/Kasese (Uganda) – traditional very strong distilled spirits, very different from bottled Uganda Waragi
• Obushera (Uganda)
• Tej (Ethiopia)
• Enkonyagi (Tanzania)
• Mageu/amaHewu (South Africa)
• Leite Azedo (Angola)
• Sobia (Egypt)
• Osang tea (Equatorial Guinea)
• Café touba (Senegal)
• Zobo (Nigeria)
• Oshikundu (Namibia)
• Muratina (Kenya)
• Amasi (South Africa)
• Mazagran (Algeria)
• Rooibos (South Africa)
• Maghrebi Mint Tea (Maghreb/Morocco)
• Rubisi (Tanzania)
• Palm Wine (West and Central Africa)
• Bissap (Ivory Coast)
• Gnamakoudji (Ivory Coast)
• African Milk Tea/Chai (East Africa)
• Ethiopian coffee
• Amakamo (Uganda)

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Recipes for 6 Cocktails from Africa

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Cocktails South Africa Recipes

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South African Drinks Cocktails #1: The Ama-lekkerlicious

Ingredients

Orange sherbert (to rim glass)
25 ml brandy
12.5 ml peach syrup
50 ml cranberry juice
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
3 splashes of bitters
A slice of orange rind to garnish

Directions

1. Take a whiskey glass and dip the lip into orange sherbet.
2. Combine brandy, peach syrup, cranberry juice, lemon juice and bitters in a metal shaker.
3. Shake and strain contents into the sherbet-lipped whiskey glass.
4. Garnish the lip with an orange rind twist.

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South African Drinks Cocktail #2—Basilicious Cocktail Africa

Ingredients

50 ml vodka
Juice of 1 lime
20 ml simple syrup
4 basil leaves (keep one aside for garnish)
Small pinch of Robertsons Barbecue Spice
Ice cubes

Directions

1. Place the simple syrup and 3 basil leaves in a metal shaker.
2. Fill the shaker with ice cubes.
3. Add the vodka and lime juice.
4. Shake and strain contents into a tumbler.
5. Top with a sprinkle of Robertsons Barbecue Spice.
6. Garnish with a basil leaf.

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Africa Cocktail #3: Cape Snow

Ingredients

30 ml brandy
30 ml Van Der Hum Liqueur
2 tablespoons vanilla ice cream
Slice of orange to garnish

Directions

1. Flash blend ingredients until drinkably creamy.
2. Pour into a wine glass.
3. Garnish the lip with a slice of orange.

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African Cocktail Mixture #4. Elephant’s Reverie

Ingredients

60 ml Amarula Cream
30 ml Frangelico hazelnut liqueur
15 ml pouring cream
Crushed ice
A pinch of chocolate powder and fresh cherries to garnish

Directions

1. Combine the Amarula Cream, Frangelico, pouring cream and ice in metal shaker (shake) or blender (brisk blend).
2. Pour the mix into a highball glass.
3. Garnish with a sprinkle of chocolate powder and fresh cherries.

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5. The Fynbos

Ingredients

50 ml brandy
50 ml rooibos tea
25 ml simple syrup
12.5 ml ginger liqueur
1 teaspoon honey
A dash of bitters (optional)
Lemon/lime peel to garnish

Directions

1. Combine the brandy, rooibos tea, cooled sugar syrup, ginger liqueur, honey and bitters (optional) in a metal shaker.
2. Shake and strain contents into a pre-chilled martini glass.
3. Garnish with a slice of lemon or lime.

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How to Get Something to Drink in ZA

Here’s a straightforward guide to getting a drink in South Africa (ZA) — including buying non‑alcoholic drinks like water or soda, and alcohol if you’re 18 or older.

Buying Non‑Alcoholic Drinks

If you just want something like water, juice, soda, coffee or tea, it’s easy.

You can get drinks from:

Shops and Stores

• Supermarkets and convenience stores (e.g., Spar, Checkers, Pick ’n Pay) sell bottled water, sodas, energy drinks and juices.
• Cafés and fast‑food places also sell drinks to go.

Restaurants and Cafés

• You can order drinks with a meal or on their own.

Non‑alcoholic drinks are sold pretty much any day and at regular store hours.

Buying Alcoholic Drinks

If you want beer, wine or spirits, there are a few key things to know:

Age Rule

You must be 18 or older to buy or drink alcohol in South Africa.

Shops and bars are required to check ID.

Where You Can Buy

• Bottle stores (liquor stores): These are dedicated shops that sell assorted alcohol to take away.
• Supermarkets: Most supermarkets sell wine, but in many provinces beer and spirits are sold at separate bottle stores next to them.
• Bars, pubs, restaurants and clubs: These places sell alcoholic drinks to drink on site as part of their menu or bar service.

Hours and Rules

• Bottle stores often have set daytime hours and in many regions they are closed on Sundays for alcohol sales, so plan ahead.
• Bars and restaurants can serve alcohol later in the evening, typically until closing time, and often later on weekends.
• Drinking alcohol in public places (like parks, sidewalks or beaches) is usually not allowed — alcohol should be consumed inside licensed venues or private homes.

What to bring

• If you’re buying alcohol, always bring a valid ID to prove you’re 18 or older.

Summary

To get a drink in South Africa:

• For water, juice or soft drinks: go to any shop, café or restaurant.
• For alcohol: go to a liquor store or a licensed bar/restaurant if you are 18 or older.
• Check opening hours for bottle stores, especially on Sundays, to avoid closed shops later in the day.

Famous South African Coffee Drink Recipe

South Africa has a lively coffee scene that mixes classic coffee drinks with local flavours and creative twists, especially ones that feature Amarula, a South African cream liqueur made from the fruit of the marula tree.

Here are a few well‑known and interesting coffee‑based drinks you might come across:

1. Amarula Coffee

This is a comforting drink made by adding a shot (or more) of Amarula cream liqueur into hot brewed coffee.

It’s warm, slightly sweet and creamy — perfect for cool mornings or evenings. Some versions are even topped with whipped cream.

This style of coffee drink is popular in homes and cafés across South Africa.

How to make it at home:

• Brew strong hot coffee.
• Add a generous shot of Amarula.
• Stir gently, then top with whipped cream if you like.

The combination of rich coffee and the smooth, fruity sweet flavour of Amarula creates a drink that many locals enjoy as a treat.

2. Ranger’s Special (Bush Coffee)

This coffee tradition comes from safari culture.

Guides often make it for guests on early game drives.

The basic idea is to mix hot coffee with Amarula and a bit of hot chocolate powder.

It’s simple but rich and warming.

Basic steps:

• Brew fresh coffee (French press or filter).
• Pour it into a mug.
• Add Amarula to taste.
• Sprinkle a teaspoon of hot chocolate powder on top.
• Stir and enjoy.

This drink pairs well with the quiet early morning of the South African bush.

3. Amarula Coffee Dalgona

A spin on the popular whipped coffee trend, this layered drink includes Amarula mixed into a milk base and topped with a fluffy whipped coffee foam.

The Amarula adds a creamy depth and sweetness to the classic dalgona style. To enjoy it:

• Whisk instant coffee, sugar, and boiling water until foamy.
• Pour chilled milk and Amarula into a glass.
• Spoon the whipped coffee on top.

It’s a fun twist that blends local favourite ingredients with a globally trending coffee style.

4. Amarula Frappé

This is like a cold coffee milkshake with Amarula:

• Mix coffee, Amarula, milk (or cream), and ice cream in a blender.
• Blend until smooth.
• Serve chilled, optionally with whipped cream or coffee beans on top.

This version is richer and more dessert‑like, but loved by many who enjoy sweeter coffee drinks.

5. Iced and Modern Café‑Style Coffee Drinks

In urban cafés across South Africa, you’ll also find global coffee trends like cold brew with citrus or an iced honey flat white.

For example:

• Iced honey flat white: espresso mixed with honey, poured over ice, then topped with cold milk.
• Cold brew citrus: cold brew coffee with sparkling water and a slice of orange or lemon.

These drinks reflect how modern coffee culture is growing in South African cafés, alongside classics and Amarula‑infused favourites.

In summary, while many coffee drinks in South Africa start with basics like espresso or filter coffee, local twists often feature Amarula cream for warmth and sweetness, or lean into popular café creations with ice, honey, and citrus.

Whether you’re enjoying coffee on a safari, in a café, or at home, there’s a rich variety of flavours to explore.

Stauraum South Africa Drink

“Stauraum” is not a recognized drink in South Africa (or anywhere) — there’s nothing widely known under that name relating to a South African beverage, cocktail, traditional brew, soda, tea, coffee or alcoholic drink.

The word “Stauraum” itself is actually a German word meaning “storage space,” not the name of any drink.

In other words, if you’ve heard “Stauraum” used by someone in South Africa in a drink context, it’s likely a brand name, local product, café menu item, or slang term that isn’t widely documented — and not a widely recognized traditional or commercial South African drink.

Kuporif Drinks from South Africa

I don’t know of any South African drink called “Kuporif” or anything similar.

If you’re seeing that name on a bottle, menu, or social post it might be:

• a local or small‑brand drink that isn’t broadly known yet
• a mis‑spelling or phonetic rendering of another drink name
• a nick‑name for a drink used among a small group of people rather than an official product name

There is no established entry for “Kuporif” as a recognised drink in South African beverage lists or histories of popular local drinks.

South Africa does have a wide range of well‑known traditional and modern beverages worth exploring, including:

• Umqombothi – a traditional sorghum and maize beer with cultural roots in many communities, often shared at gatherings.
• Mampoer – a strong fruit‑based spirit distilled locally, historically popular in rural and farm areas.
• Amarula‑based drinks – creamy liqueur made from the marula fruit, used on its own or in cocktails like the Springbokkie shooter.
• Rooibos teas and rooibos‑infused beverages – caffeine‑free tea that’s deeply embedded in South African daily life and now also used in modern soft drinks.
• Non‑alcoholic traditional drinks such as mageu (fermented sorghum/maize beverage) or boeber (sweet milk drink with vermicelli).

Photo Credits: FoodBusinessAfrica.com, Flavours of Africa, Leigh van den Berg, AnthonyTrivet.co.ke