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The new Accra taste: how indigenous ingredients are powering Ghana’s culinary landscape
Accra is almost never cold, so a chilled cocktail with the right balance of flavours can truly elevate an evening. There are several bars, such as old-timer Purple Pub or Bella Afrik, that knock up classic Old Fashioneds, G&Ts or Negronis, often with a twist. But below is a list of uniquely Ghanaian cocktails, featuring increasingly common cocktail ingredients like prɛkɛsɛ and hibiscus (or sorrel), which is widespread in Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. Three of the drinks featured in this list are from NsuomNam bar, a must-go joint for a fabulous pre-outing cocktail.
Berry Balloon
Where: NsuomNam, 10 Josif Broz Tito Ave, Cantonments, Accra
What: vodka and red wine with red berries, cranberry juice and passion fruit
How it feels: Like a laugh waiting to explode. When I saw the look on my photographer’s face while drinking a Berry Balloon, I knew I had to try it. The sweetness of the berries is undercut by the cranberry and passion fruit tartness and very generous amounts of vodka. It’s like a Sangria that took a turn east. Knockout.
Website: nsuomnam.com
Kokoroko
Where: Republic Bar and Grill, Asafoatse Tempong St, Osu, Accra
What: local palm spirit with hibiscus, lime, mint and brown sugar
How it feels: Like being a rebellious kid. More of a slushy than a straight-up cocktail, a “Kokoroko” can be lethal if drunk too quickly because the alcohol melts faster than the alcohol. However, the hit of lime and mint superbly balances the honeyed base of hibiscus and brown sugar. An Accra favourite for over a decade.
Sweety Doudou
Where: NsuomNam, 10 Josif Broz Tito Ave, Cantonments, Accra
What: turmeric-infused rum with lemongrass syrup, mango and pineapple foam
How it feels: Sea and sand underfoot. A “Sweety Doudou” is like a stranger one falls in love with right away without knowing why. That’s because although none of its flavours is loud; the turmeric spreads the warmth slowly, unlike its punchier ginger cousin, while the lemongrass brings subtle lightness, and the mango and pineapple whisper beneath a strong rum base.
