The Cellar – Tipsy

How to Pick a Good Bottle of Wine in Kenya

Since 2010, wine in Kenya has burgeoned from an aspirational drink to an every other day beverage for many.

Back then, the bulk of the wine available on our market shelves was mainly imported from South Africa. Fast forward to 2024 and Kenyans now have access to all sorts of wines.

More wine distributors are setting up shop in Kenya and sourcing bottles from far-flung places like Italy, Australia, Argentina and France.

But how do you pick a delectable wine with ease? What’s the difference between a sweet red wine like 4th S treet and an Italian sparkler like Prosecco, for instance? Let’s find out.

The Basics

There are about as many ways to talk about wine, as there are types of wine. But having some basic understanding of the varietals can help you to quickly learn which wines you’re most likely to enjoy- and which ones you’re better off avoiding.

Generally, a light-bodied white wine like Premier Grand Cru is more acidic and tastes crisper and more tart. Low-acid red wines feel smoother and rounder on the palate.

The essential characteristics that define any wine can be categorized as follows:

Sweetness: A wine can either be sweet, semi-sweet or dry. If the wine label uses the term dry don’t expect it to be sweet at all.
Body: This refers to the weight and richness of a wine. Most red wines feature a full-bodied profile with a slightly tenacious mouth feel compared to light-bodied white wines which are more smooth and featherlike on the palate.
Tannins: These are naturally occurring compounds found on grape skins, giving the finished wine a slightly bitter taste. Wineries incorporate more tannins during the red winemaking process and it’s no surprise some red wines have a distinctively dry finish.
ABV Content: The amount of alcohol can be indicative of how rich a wine will taste. A higher alcoholic content means the wine was made using riper grapes and will probably be more flavorful.

Decoding a Wine Label Properly

Catchy illustrations and clever branding can sometimes sway you into purchasing a wine that ends up being underwhelming.

However, reading the label on a wine bottle is fairly easy when you know what information to look for and the superfluous aspects of the label to ignore.

As a rule of thumb, the more details on a wine label the better. Look for any specific information about the winery location, valley and variety of grape.

The region descriptor on a wine label can be broad to only include the country of origin or more specifically, indicate the vineyard where the grapes were produced.

A vintage wine from the highly regarded Chateau Lafite Rothschild vineyard located in the famous Pauillac wine-producing commune. ‘**mis en bouteille au château**‘ means made and bottled by the producer without outsourcing any grapes.

Many wine enthusiasts find the more specific a label in terms of location the higher the quality.

A bottle of wine that highlights a particular vineyard as opposed to the country of origin alone, for example, is likely to be more refined and of a premium quality.

The information on most wine labels is fairly standard with some slight variations between producers.

Sometimes wineries will clearly state the type of grapes used to make a particular wine, while in other instances you’ll have to look to the appellation for clues about what varietals could have been used based on the production guidelines of that region.

More prominent wineries will include a detailed wine description at the back often peppered with terms referencing the four basic characteristics of wine we had discussed in the previous section. Understanding each makes it easier to decipher any wine label.

Different Wines Call for Different Occasions

Some enjoy the lightness and crispy nature of a white wine, while others prefer the complexity and tartness of a red wine.

If you’re looking for a wine for your enjoyment or a bottle you can share with guests, here are a few things to consider beforehand:

Flying solo or expecting some company? Since a “good” wine is so subjective, picking a bottle of red and a bottle of white when hosting friends or family is a good place to start. When making your selections, opt for wines closer to the middle of the body and sweetness spectrum. A more balanced wine with subtle tones is easily enjoyed by even the pickiest of wine drinkers.
Is a meal included in the works? If you’d like to pair your wine with a carefully crafted meal, the tried-and-tested rule is white wines for light dishes, like pasta and chicken, and red wines for heavier dishes with red meat as a major ingredient
Planning to mix the wine into a recipe? When making sangria or using wine to cook a dish, the flavor and texture of the wine you pick aren’t as important. The flavors tend to blend with other ingredients in the recipe, creating a whole new flavor profile. If you plan to enjoy a bottle of wine on its own, however, you must be more selective and go for flavor notes you’re most likely to enjoy.

Wine flavors come in many unique forms, and the flavors you naturally enjoy in other foods and drinks can greatly influence what you’d consider a good wine.

An apple juice lover, for instance, is likely to savor the richness of a sweet white wine, while grape juice lovers will feel more at home with a crisp white wine.

Although beer takes the top spot as the most consumed type of alcohol locally, many more people are starting to appreciate and embrace the consumption of wine in Kenya.

So, do you prefer unwinding with a bottle of white or red wine by your side? Keep the conversation going by sharing your top picks and how you go about picking a good bottle of wine.

4 Simple Kenyan Whiskey Cocktail Recipes

While some whiskey connoisseurs hold strong opinions on the best way to enjoy this versatile drink, there really are no set rules.

Whether you want to knock back your whiskey neat, on the rocks or mix it into a simple Kenyan cocktail, don’t let naysayers dictate how you should enjoy your favorite tipple.

You’ll find that mixing your favorite whiskey with other carefully selected ingredients can open up its spicy, smoky or sweet notes while masking the stinging sensation common with neat pours.

We love experimenting here at Tipsy, and after several weeks of mixing and matching different mixers with certain whiskeys, we compiled this list of simple Kenyan whiskey cocktails you can make on a whim.

What Mixes Best with Whiskey?

Before trying your hand at whiskey cocktails, it’s good to first understand which ingredients blend in perfectly when working with whiskey as your base ingredient:

Coca-Cola: There’s a good reason why whiskey and coke is one ‘ol classic combination. Coke’s tangy flavor and caramel undertones pair perfectly with virtually any type of whiskey, especially after adding a squeeze of lime to the mix.
Grapefruit Juice: Fresh grapefruit plays center stage in many classic cocktails like the Greyhound. Grapefruit adds a tart, yet sweet taste to the final drink, while the pale pink hues make for a captivating presentation.
Soda Water: This gives your cocktail some fizzy bubbles and is especially flavorful when mixed with a whiskey featuring fruity and floral notes.
Ginger: Ginger’s unique sweet and spicy flavor adds a fiery kick to your whiskey cocktails. The best way to mix ginger into a cocktail is by muddling a slice of the peeled rhizome at the bottom of a mixing glass, sieving the extracted juice through a strainer and using it in batch recipes as desired.
Apple Cider: If you’re a whiskey lover with a sweet tooth, a cider and whiskey combo is a delicious drink you can shake up in both hot and cold recipes.

DIY Whiskey Cocktail Recipes

These cocktails use a combination of locally available ingredients that you can easily find at any market or grocery store near your home.

For the whiskey, you can browse our selection here and pick one that suits your taste preference and budget.

Some of the recipes we’ve highlighted below are best served shaken or muddled.

You might want first to check out our article on using common kitchen utensils to make cocktails if you don’t have access to a cocktail set.

1. Classic Mint Julep

Nothing feels as light and refreshing as a cool mint julep cocktail. The better the scotch, the better the julep.

So, go for a fine whiskey like the J & B Rare when replicating this recipe at home.

A classic mint julep sweetened with sugar or simple syrup and flavored with fresh mint leaves. Using other forms of ice (not crushed) doesn’t create the same visual appeal.

You will need:

500 ml Water
300 grams sugar
Half a cup of chopped fresh mint
A healthy mound of crushed ice
1 liter J & B whiskey
Sprigs of fresh mint for garnishing

Instructions

To make a mint syrup for serving with the cocktail, mix sugar, water and chopped mint in a saucepan and boil over high heat.

Stir occasionally until all the sugar dissolves, approximately 1 to 2 minutes, and set aside to cool. Strain the syrup to separate the mint leaves from the liquid.

Next, fill four glasses with crushed ice and pour 60 ml of whiskey and an equivalent of the mint syrup into each glass. You can add a little more of the syrup for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Stir gently and add a sprig of mint to garnish before serving.

2. Hot Toddy

Just as the name suggests, a Hot Toddy is a sweet and spicy cocktail best enjoyed on a cold, chilly day. Typically crafted using an Irish whiskey and requires only a handful of ingredients to get it right.

The secret to making the best hot toddies is experimenting with different quantities of lemon juice and honey in the recipe. It’s surprising how an extra teaspoon of each can greatly alter the flavor.

A soothing Hot Toddy cocktail is best served warm on a chilly evening.

You will need:

500 ml Water
150 ml Whiskey
7 teaspoons honey
Ginger (optional)
8 teaspoons lemon juice
3 Lemon twists and cinnamon (garnish)

Instructions

Bring the water to a simmer on your stovetop and pour the contents into three mugs. Next, add 50 ml of whiskey, 2 teaspoons of honey and 2 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice into each mug.

Stir until all the honey dissolves and do a quick taste test. Add some more honey if needed or an extra teaspoon of lemon juice for added zing. Top off with your garnish of choice and enjoy.

3. Brown Derby

The Brown Derby is an old favorite and is well known for its balanced tart and sweet aftertaste. It’s a simple drink that doesn’t call for much and goes down well with a light meal or snacks.

A cocktail with a history as enjoyable as the drink itself. Substituting the maple syrup in the recipe with honey turns this into a De Rigueur which is just as tasty.

You will need:

135 ml Grant’s Whiskey
90 ml Fresh grapefruit juice
30 ml Maple syrup
Soda water
Grapefruit wedge for garnish

Instructions

Fill your cocktail shaker halfway with ice followed by all the other ingredients, except for the soda water, and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain into three glasses and add a dash of soda water before serving for a bubbly finish.

4. Whiskey Mango Lassi

This is our personalized version of the popular Mango Lassi mocktail but with a healthy dose of whiskey instead of the plain yogurt used in the classic recipe. It’s perfect for building up a healthy appetite before any meal when taken in moderation.

If you’re feeling a bit experimental and open to trying out something different, then a whiskey mango lassi is the perfect treat for a laidback evening at home.

You will need:

250 ml Ballantine’s Finest Whiskey
600 ml Mango juice
100 ml Lime juice
Twist of lemon and mango cubes for garnish

Instructions

Stuff all your ingredients in a shaker, add a handful of ice and shake. Strain over ice into five glasses and garnish with a twist of lemon.

Best Whiskey Brands in Kenya when Gift Shopping

There are only three main differences between whiskeys: **where they’re made, what they’re made from, and most importantly, what they taste like**.

Whether Scotch, rye or bourbon, there is a whiskey for everyone. If you’d like to appreciate a friend or partner who also happens to be a whiskey drinker, getting them a nice bottle of their favorite tipple is a thoughtful gift choice.

But it can be quite challenging trying to pair the right expression with the person you have in mind. Some cherish the bold character of a single malt like Chivas Regal while others prefer indulging in the smooth, balanced profile of a blended Scotch like J & B.

Understanding the Difference Between Single Malts and Blends

An expertly blended scotch like Chivas is totally worth the splurge during those special moments with friends and family.

Many people naturally assume that a single malt whiskey is bottled from a single barrel. While this might be true for some individual limited cask expressions, the bulk of single malts are vatted.

Vatting is a process that involves taking many individual whiskies (usually from a single distillery) with varying age statements and combining them proportionally, imparting a distinct flavor to a whiskey.

In contrast, blended whiskies are a meticulously mixed combination of both grain and malt whiskies, usually from multiple distilleries. This blend varies depending on the brand and their desired expression but usually consists mainly of grain whiskies with some select malt whisky to liven things up.

A premium version of the regular Jack. Double mellowing offers a distinctively rich flavour characterized by plenty of spice and citrus too

While single malts tend to be pricier than blended whiskies, this doesn’t necessarily equate to a higher quality drink. The higher price tag associated with single malt whiskies is often attributed to a fascinating phenomenon known as the angel’s share which occurs during the aging process.

As whiskey matures in wooden casks, a significant amount is lost to evaporation. Distilleries often compensate for this loss by charging higher prices for aged whiskies, as the remaining liquid becomes more valuable and rare.

To put it quite simply, blended whiskies, while still offering quality and complexity, are more pocket friendly due to the economies of scale associated with the blending process and the shorter aging window.

We’ve highlighted some of the best whiskey brands in Kenya below that you can have delivered straight to your doorstep.

Ballantine’s Blended Scotch Whiskey

Featuring an approachable flavor profile with fruity notes, Ballantine’s is among our top picks when shopping for an ideal gift for him.

Voted as the world’s best-blended scotch whiskey in 2020, Ballantine’s is a light gold drink with an appealing honey and spice aroma. This masterful blend uses sweet yet subtle flavors like chocolate and red apple with a floral aftertaste, creating a full-bodied taste that’s easy on the palate.

Glenfiddich Single Malt – 12 Years

This is a great treat for any whiskey lover and is perfect for cocktails or enjoyed neat. Smooth, fruity and sophisticated.

Famed for its characteristic sweet, fruity notes, this whiskey is perfect for celebrating special occasions or including in a gift basket. The casks used in the aging process are mellowed by years of previous use; the American oak once held premium bourbon, while the European oak previously held fine sherry.

Every sip holds a hint of pear, butterscotch and subtle oak flavors, all delicately balanced for a smooth, mellow finish.

J & B Rare

A very smooth and tasty blended Scotch whiskey with a milder flavor compared to other blends.

Tracing its roots back to the prohibition era, J & B has a rich history and an even richer combination of ingredients. This blended scotch is a result of mixing 42 of the best whiskies coming out of Scotland and whiskey drinkers will appreciate the smoky flavor and complex, fruity notes behind it.

Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7

Like in the example above, some nuts, chocolates, fruits and a few mixers can help beef up your whiskey gift hamper.

This bourbon scotch whiskey is one of a kind. Mellowed through sugar maple charcoal and matured in handcrafted barrels, Jack doesn’t follow a calendar dictating when it’s prime for bottling. A barrel is only ready for the market when the in-house tasters say it is. They judge it by how it looks and its aroma and of course, by the way it tastes; a delicate balance of sweet and oaky notes.

In summary, single malt whiskies are more appealing to those who prefer complex, nuanced flavors, while blends offer a more balanced taste with a smooth finish. For special occasions or gifting, a premium single malt might be suitable, while a high-quality blend is ideal for casual meetups or everyday enjoyment.

Keep it Tipsy for some of the best whiskey Deals in Kenya. And if you can’t make it to our outlet in Ruaka, we offer delivery services to the CBD and its environs.

How Kenyan Originals Fought Its Way to Launch Craft Beverages

100% natural honey cider inspired by our popular Dawa tea. No additives or preservatives are added when crafting KO ciders.

In a market with a fairly limited selection of tasty local brews, Kenyan Originals is setting a refreshing standard by embracing the use of fresh local ingredients across its product lines – from ciders and flavored gins to tonics and ice teas.

In a way, Kenyan Originals is paying homage to the rich brewing history Kenyans have always enjoyed. Nearly all, if not all, of Kenya’s tribes have some kind of traditional brew associated with their culture.

Take muratina, for example—a beloved drink in the Kikuyu community, fermented from the fruits of the Sausage Tree.

Fast forward to 2017 and Alexandra Chappatte, the brainchild behind Kenyan Originals, began tinkering around with different craft beverages after seeing enormous potential in our country’s manufacturing sector.

Navigating Through a Sea of Red Tape

To manufacture and sell alcoholic beverages in Kenya legally, the process is quite long and hectic. Many people have been in the process of trying to obtain a license for years, and most simply give up and walk away.

One requirement that deters prospective brewers is the need to submit samples from the same equipment that will be used to brew future batches. Hypothetically, this means you have to build a brewery without any guarantee that you’ll ultimately secure a license to sell your product.

Plus, about a dozen government departments are arbitrating the licensing process. Without a skilled team of professionals and streamlined processes, it’s easy to see why one might throw in the towel.

Crafted to Perfection

After a lot of to and fro, Kenyan Originals was finally granted an operational license and soon after embarked on rolling out their first product line – fruit-flavored ciders.

Alexandra Chappatte, the founder, knew that simply taking a drink from abroad and trying to replicate it in the local Kenyan scene wasn’t going to cut it and that local, authentic flavors were key to attracting and retaining their niche clientele.

Kenyan Originals craft ciders are made using local ingredients sourced from local farmers across the country.

“To be truly craft you’re not going to be able to copy and paste what’s working elsewhere,” Alexandra offers. “That’s why for our fruit cider we use real fruit from Kenya—only the sweetest apple mangoes from Meru, the honey pineapples from Kisii, and the purple passion fruit from Nyeri. Getting the right ripeness, sweetness, and varietal from the right region all affects the quality and taste of our drinks.”

No preservatives or additives are used during production and some of their most popular flavors like lime-ginger and pineapple-mint pack quite a punch, coming in at eight percent ABV.

Kenyan Originals: Shooting for The Stars

In addition to its fruit-based ciders, Kenyan Originals has expanded its offerings to include an assortment of herb-infused gins and non-alcoholic ice teas and tonics. They’re always experimenting with new flavors and refining their craft, and it’s going to be interesting to see what they launch next.

If you’re an all-rounder who loves a refreshing White Cap or Tusker, but also appreciates the richness of a craft beverage, you’ll feel quite at home with what KO has to offer.

In the next five years, Kenyan Originals aims to become a dominant player and tap into a larger segment of the Kenyan and East African markets. And with its millennium-focused approach, it won’t be surprising if they take root all over Africa and beyond.

Can Cooking with Alcohol Actually Get You Drunk?

It’s no secret that cooking with alcohol can be a great flavor enhancer when used in moderation during meal prep.

Using wine and beer to booze up your recipes is commonplace but a dash of something stronger like rum, whisky and vodka can also add depth and intensity to an otherwise simple dish.

But what happens to the alcohol content in a dish during the cooking process? Is it possible to cook off all the alcohol in a pot of slow-cooked wine-braised oxtail for instance? Let’s find out

Why Eating Yourself Drunk is Not an Option

As a substance, the chemical composition of alcohol makes it quite volatile. What this means is that alcohol molecules will evaporate not just when they reach boiling point, but any time they’re exposed to air.

Despite this ability to evaporate, traces of alcohol still remain in a finished dish. Alcohol bonds with water and other ingredients in a recipe at a molecular level, but how much sticks around at the end depends on secondary factors like the cooking temperature and the cook time.

A chef setting his food on fire literally. High-alcohol liquors like rum with an ABV of 40% and above are ideal for recipes that call for a flambé finish. However, extreme caution should be taken when using this cooking method at home.

Cooking at a higher temperature accelerates evaporation, while prolonged cooking times make the cumulative evaporation more significant. It’s important to note, however, that complete elimination of alcohol doesn’t occur at any point.

Generally, dishes containing alcohol as an ingredient retain 40 percent of the original amount after 15 minutes, 35 percent after 30 minutes, and 25 percent after an hour.

A vital variable to keep in mind is that the alcohol by volume (ABV) of beer is usually less than 10 percent, while the ABV of rum and whisky is North of 40 percent.

Consequently, with all other factors held constant, a cooked dish made with a stout beer is less alcoholic than one made with rum.

It’s highly unlikely though that food cooked with alcohol can lead to intoxication; the amount of alcohol in most recipes is so small that an adult wouldn’t feel its effects.

Let’s now take a look at how different alcohol types can help liven up that dish you’ve been dying to try out.

Cooking with Alcohol: White Wine Vs. Red Wine

The beauty of cooking with a crisp dry white wine like the Drosty Hof Premier Grand Cru lies in its versatility.

Made using flavorful sauvignon grapes, this wine offers a broad spectrum of sweetness that can be a welcome addition in sauces, marinades or when poaching chicken and other lightly flavored cuts of meat.

Alternatively, a medium-bodied fruity red wine like the Drosty Hof Claret Select features strawberry and mulberry undertones and will blend perfectly when mixed into meat-heavy dishes or cheesy pasta servings.

The flavor notes are light enough not to overpower a dish, but complex enough to meld with other ingredients in a recipe.

Beer

A time-honored favorite stout like Guinness contains natural enzymes that have a tenderizing effect on meat, making this the perfect addition to most marinades. Mix any leftover beer into your basting sauce and use it to flavor meat when grilling or roasting.

Experimentation is key here, so try different types of beers to discover the best flavor match that works for you. Beer is pretty versatile and can also be used to enhance a pot of spicy beef stew or make the fluffiest beer bread ever since it contains natural yeast.

Rum

If you fancy the occasional dramatic presentation during meal prep, rum is your go-to liquor for a caramelized flambé finish that could put Gordon Ramsay to shame.

Flambéing imparts a savory-sweet flavor to dessert dishes like banana fosters and crepes Suzette. This way you’ll be able to quickly cook off the alcohol while retaining the signature zesty rum flavor.

You might not be much of a drinker but cooking with alcohol is something you should truly consider if you’re looking for a culinary adventure to kick your recipes up a notch. The layered flavors, different textures and complex aromas left behind after most of the alcohol content is cooked off is exactly what brings your dishes to life.

Easy Home Cocktails Using Common Kitchen Utensils

One of the most satisfying things about sipping on your easy home cocktails lies not only in the final product but the fascinating process of mixing and infusing flavors.

But what if you don’t have a jigger on hand to accurately measure your ingredients? or a Boston Shaker; considered essential barware and the hallmark of mixology?

Sometimes, the thought of investing in specialized equipment for occasional use can feel daunting and unnecessary. And if you’ve already made the jump and splurged on a cocktail set, there might still come a time when you need to quickly improvise with everyday household items.

Let’s quickly explore alternative techniques and common kitchen items that can, with a little creativity, be repurposed to whip up your favorite cocktail

No Shaker? No Problem, We Rock On!

Have you ever had a Sidecar or Long Island that starts relatively easy on the palate but ends with a cringe because the taste of cognac is just too overpowering?

Well, this is what shaking aims to prevent.

A protein shaker with a metal mixing ball is suited for mixing up ingredients and will do an excellent job for your home cocktails. A regular water bottle can also be just as handy.

To ensure your homemade cocktails have a consistent taste from the first sip to the last, a mason jar with a screw-on lid to prevent leaking can work wonders in place of a shaker.

A standard-size mason jar has plenty of room to fill up on ice and other ingredients and is arguably one of the most realistic alternatives to shake things up quite literally.

If you don’t have access to some sort of glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, a protein shaker is just as effective.

A protein shaker, especially one with a metal mixing ball like the BlenderBottle, will also give your easy home cocktails a smooth, frothy finish after vigorously shaking for 15 seconds.

Jigger Alternatives for Easy Home Cocktails

A 3-size jigger set used by pro bartenders when making cocktails. To prevent over or underpouring ingredients, a tablespoon or measuring cup are suitable alternatives.

The main argument for using a jigger when making cocktails stems from the idea that they’re more accurate and consistent than free pouring.

While you could easily get by with free pouring the base liquor in a Martini, for example, other more flavorful recipes call for a certain degree of accuracy when measuring out ingredients.

Cocktail ingredients are often measured in 15-ml, 22-ml, 29-ml, 44-ml and 59-ml increments and a regular tablespoon is just as handy as the trusty jigger.

It’s slightly more work and takes a bit of math but you only need to keep in mind that one regular tablespoon holds 15 milliliters and then adjust your measurements accordingly.

For large cocktail batches, you might want to reach out for a measuring cup instead for added convenience; a quarter cup usually holds 59 milliliters.

Using a Rolling Pin as a Muddler

A mojito is the perfect example of a muddled cocktail. Often referred to as Little Havana’s best export to the world, this classic combines a healthy dose of rum, peppered with a hint of mint and citrus.

If you’d like to replicate this cocktail at home, muddling the mint and citrus is a crucial step you shouldn’t miss.

Muddling fruit, spices and herbs at the bottom of a cocktail glass. Any kitchen utensil with smooth, well-rounded sides like a rolling pin can work perfectly in place of a muddler.

Your improvised muddler can be any kitchen item with a wide, flat base to mash the fruit and herbs that you want to infuse into your cocktail, like a rolling pin, salt shaker or the butt of a wooden spoon.

Crafting Cocktails with Ingenuity

The lack of professional bartending tools shouldn’t deter you from making easy home cocktails. After all, it’s the ingenuity you bring to the table when crafting your cocktails that carries more weight.

You don’t need a cocktail spoon to stir a classic Negroni when any long-handled spoon or chopstick will work just as well. Nor do you need a jigger when a tablespoon or measuring cup can accurately measure out ingredients.

So, shake, stir, or muddle away, but remember; cocktails are best savored, not hammered.