Can you have a NYE party without tequlia? You can. But would you want to? Making its debut into SA this month is Mijenta, the award-winning, additive-free and sustainable tequila from the highlands of Jalisco. There’s Mijenta Blanco – aromatic and elegant, with notes of cantaloupe, honey and cinnamon, and Mijenta Reposado, all vanilla and bergamot, honey and preserved fruits as well as orange blossom flowers and cacao nibs. Watch out too for Mijenta Añejo, the most exclusive version which will be landing here early next year. You’ll find it at premium liquor stores (including Woolworths, PickNPay, Checkers Liquorshop, Norman Goodfellows, Whiskey Brother) and online retailers for R999 and R1390 respectively.
Can you drink it? Nope. But you can certainly light it and pop it on to your holiday brunch table. Earl Grey Scented Candle – so all bergamot and lemon. R350 from thepiebald.com
Cheese & wine parties back in fashion (yay)!
Let’s talk cheese and wine parties. Massively fashionable in the late sixties and throughout the seventies, they then became totally uncool. But they’re back in (retro) style. And our ed’s thrilled! Glammest cheese serving platter she could find … this oversized, marble dual-colour option. With marble sourced from Rajasthan (the marble mecca of India), hand cut by artisans in Jodhpur, it’s an impressively solid piece, and massive. R999. She also fancies these ivory cups with 24-carat gold petals. Sold as tea cups, but here used instead for Bloody Marys, and to hold breadsticks. R720 for a pair. All from thepiebald.com (order online right now for Christmas deliveries).
Clink. Sip. Summer!
Do you hear that? Clinking ice as it hits the bottom of a highball glass. That’s the sound of South Africa’s ultimate summer drink being prepared… the Angostura Rock Shandy! It’s one we sometimes forget about … but shouldn’t. It’s delish, and so easy. Simply a glass filled with ice, then pour in equal parts soda water and lemonade, shake in around five to ten drops Angostura aromatic bitters (to taste), and garnish with a slice of lemon. For more recipes, pop over to angosturabitters.com
Making merry without the hangover. Free Spirit Cocktails by Camille Wilson is a collection of wonderful cocktails – some sparkling, some sophisticated, some with just three ingredients, and some for the hols. Try A Berry Good Time … muddle five blackberries (or berries of your choice) with five or so mint leaves, three lemon wedges, and 22.5ml simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until chilled. Pour into a glass, top with sparkling water and serve. There’s a Gingerbread Martini recipe that we’re planning on making at every opportunity, too. Chronicle Books, R415
Raise your glass … to a rosé new year
Whether you’re throwing a cocktail party, or have been invited to one and need to take a gift, here’s the perfect pair … Blaauwklippen’s Brut Cap Classique and Blush Rosé. Both have soft tones of pale salmon and tick all the balmy summer boxes. The 2020 Brut Cap Classique is a delicate and fresh wine with floral hints and a creamy core, and is the only Cap Classique made 100 per cent from Zinfandel grapes – it’s perfect for toasting (and making) memorable moments, or to set the tone for a romantic dinner.
The 2022 Blush Rosé is sophisticated but light, with the crispness of a dry white and the fruity richness of a red – so the best of both worlds. It pairs well with Mediterranean-inspired summer dishes. R200 for the cap classique, R150 for the rosé at your local wine boutique.
