The internet is awash with articles detailing Goa’s newest and hippest eateries, but you and I both know that nobody goes to Goa only for the food. Do they?!
Here’s my list of 5 Goa-made drinks that you must try the next time you’re by a beach, wondering why you have to head back to your 2×2 cubicle and 2BHK homes. Also, what better way to support the government’s Make In India campaign than by only enjoying drinks that are Made In India.
King’s Beer
The first choice (and the last word) for those that remember Goa before it got crowded, this is one of those rarities in Indian beer brewing, a pilsner.
Even rarer is that it is made using maize, which imparts it that rich, almost roasted flavour that only corn can. A clean, crisp drink, this beer has achieved legendary status and that’s not all down to it being available only in Goa. It goes down smooth, and even smoother with Goan food. So try it the next time you’re bumming on the beach and I promise you’ll return home missing it more than the bikinis.
Also, you will be helping the brewery stay afloat and not meet the fate of Belo, another beautiful beer from Goa that everyone ignored into extinction.
Uraak
Uraak is one of Goa’s tastiest secrets and this is the season to discover it. Available fresh and freely in the months leading up to the monsoon, this cloudy nectar is the first distillate of cashew feni.
I can already see you wrinkle your nose at my mention of feni, but drop your inhibitions and pick up a glass the next time you’re in Goa.
A lot of the fancier restaurants won’t have it, but ask at places like Britto’s and they just might. Otherwise, stop by any of the small local bars that dot the state and ask for a glass. You won’t be disappointed.
Feni
Drop your raised eyebrows and your preconceived notions about feni and I promise that you will discover a drink that is unlike any other. This most unfairly maligned nectar is Goa’s de facto state drink, and with good reason.
It comes in two variants, cashew and coconut. Now while you might know that both are made by a host of distilleries and sold under different brand names like Cajulana, Big Boss etc, what you might not know is that the best feni (and the one that doesn’t stink) is made by local village brewers. No, it won’t make you blind but it will open your eyes to the wonders of a drink that you should have embraced on your first visit.
Local caju (as cashew feni is called) retains a bit of the bottled version’s pungency but maad (as local coconut feni is called) is all smooth sweetness. Both are very rewarding to drink though.
The best way to have feni? On ice, with lime and sugar as per your taste.
The best place to savour it? Like uraak, local bars are your best bet but I can vouch for the maad at Britto’s, sourced from one of Baga’s distillers. Cavala in Baga also bottles and sells their own label and new brands like Cazulo are great for those who need a more ‘polished’ experience.
Desmondji
According to Desmond Nazareth, the company’s founder, the idea to set up this company struck him when he saw the agave plant growing freely in peninsular India. Years of research and hard work have resulted in his launching Desmondji, a label that makes and sells a variety of liquors for your drinking pleasure.
Due to reasons of copyright they can’t call their drinks tequila and cachaҫa, but don’t be fooled by the lack of familiar names; their Agave is every bit as good as most tequilas and their Pure Cane is as perfect for caipirinhas as cachaҫa is.
They also have a range of premixed treats, like the Margarita to which you need only add lime and ice to make it nice. The entire range is easily available throughout Goa and I swear that they put the best bartenders to shame.
Armada
By now you have a fair idea of the proud alcohol-making heritage of Goa. So it comes as no surprise that Armada, India’s newest and most exciting liqueur, is from Goa. These guys are
Based on a family recipe that has been in the makers’ family since the times of the Portuguese Empire, this spice liqueur is still handcrafted in small batches. Made without artificial colours, preservatives or flavours, this all-natural concoction is supposed to make unique cocktails. I haven’t had this yet, but being a long-time admirer of Goa’s brewing and distilling traditions, I am sure this will be something to drink over and over again.
So when you’re enjoying an Armada, or any of the other nectars on this list, do have one for me. Cheers!
