Ugandan cocktails at Bushpig
Disclaimer: I’m in my 30’s so the idea of drinking Uganda waragi filled me with very real fear. Fear and some university nostalgia to be honest. However, this fear was trounced by the prospect of doing my duty in building this our nation Uganda. To be clear, on that day, my duty was to drink cocktails made with Ugandan alcohol Uganda waragi and Kakira gin and then tell you about it.
To write this review, I had to do some prep. l had; katogo for breakfast, one of Bushpig’s new pizzas, I got half rwandan sausage and eggplant (yum), water by my side and a real life 27 year old’s liver and stamina. Together, we were going to save Uganda, one cocktail at a time, BUBU. BUBU y’all. That was until the 20 YO old foxed me (Thanks Karen) and I had to make due with other 30 somethings and some 40 somethings? They did well. Exceedingly well. So, I mean, come one, come all (18 and over). They also had some things to say about the cocktails.
1. The Panamera Princess
Coco waragi, hibiscus, lemon, soda water
Beware, this is one of those drinks that pretends that it’s one thing and yet it’s another. What it’s pretending to be is a harmless pink cocktail for amateurs. What it really is, is a powerful drink that will alter your mood in seconds.
Those who love UG coco will clap their hands. Those who don’t like their alcohol very flavoured might opt for another drink. After some time however, you will not be able to ‘taste the coconut smell’. Can you hazard why?
What they said: “I need to drink another one. So I can taste it properly.”
2. The Traffic Cop
Classic waragi, mint, krest
After drinking like a princess, take care you do not run into the police. Lol.
The Traffic cop was the first one I tried and the one I liked the most. The no-frills, down to business nature of the cocktail appealed to the beer drinker in me. OG UG, krest, mint and ice. Simple enough, right? After a few sips, we were giggly. I wasn’t sure if it was because we were happy to see each other, or if it was because of the super cop, police man, traffic police, traffic cop.
What they said: “It hits with a bang and immediately livens the mood. Definitely shouldn’t be taken if you are picking kids from school afterwards.”
(Relax, there was a designated driver.)
3. Juba Libre
Kakira rum, stoney and lime
What they said: “This is one to take when you have a problem and you want to bury it.”
You can smell the gin before you taste it. If you want to get right and proper inebriated, reach for Juba libre. If however a slow pace is what you are after, look below.
4. Kazinga Sunrise
Pineapple waragi, hibiscus and orange juice.
This was definitely the most popular cocktail at the party. It’s so pretty, it will make you want to drink it just by sight.
What they said: “It’s very nice, has a tropical feel…like laying on the beach…or floating down the Kazinga channel. This is the type of drink you want when you don’t want to know that you are drinking. You sit on the beach, put it in a tall glass and wait for the high.”
When asked if he has any concerns about those who would say colourful drinks are for females, he said, “They haven’t had the Kakira Sunrise.”
Fun fact: There’s a large map of Uganda on one of the walls at Bushpig. Don’t bother looking for the Kazinga channel, it’s not there. People will see you bending to find it and they will correctly assume that you are tipsy.
5. Hibiskey Sour
Classic waragi and hibiscus
Yet another favourite, the Hibiskey sour is refreshing and feels classy. You can barely taste the gin and people found that to be a good thing. It evokes the word ‘enjoying’ so it’s good for when you want to celebrate. All you need is one to come back to life, but don’t take our word for it, have multiples and let us know how it goes.
What they said: “Kano kagenda kunkuba.” That means, this one is going to knock me out.
6. Ginnery Juice
Kakira 47 gin, cane syrup and lemon
First of all I wasn’t aware that Kakira made alcohol but they do; there’s gin, rum and vodka and they all come in exceedingly beautiful bottles.
The ginnery juice goes down really easy. It is the sort of drink that in sliding down your throat closes your other senses to the dent forming in your wallet. Here lies a risk of drinking more than one.
PS: Ask for reduced syrup because that cane syrup is really, really sweet.
What they said: “You’ve drank all your money in one sip.”
Other Ugandan cocktails include Murchison Bay Iced Tea and The Name’s Bond. I really wanted to give the second one a try (Bond 7, cane syrup and lemon) but while the spirit was willing, the body was weak.
The next day
As anyone who drinks knows, the true mark of good alcohol is in great part felt the day after. Having done our patriotic duty, it was good to receive positive reports the next day. ZERO hangovers. I must add that we did not consume copious amounts of gin and rum. You might have a different reaction if you drink a little more irresponsibly. Let us know.