Food & Tradition

What do South Africans drink with a braai? Very often, Brandy and Coke — "brandewyn en coke" in Afrikaans — and many consider this mixed drink the country's unofficial national drink. The braai, grilling over charcoal, is a fixture of every weekend at the Cape, and on September 24, Heritage Day, it's even celebrated as "Braai Day."

On the grill you'll find Boerewors, a coarse, spiced sausage, along with lamb chops and steaks. The smoke and fat pair well with the light, slightly sweet character of a Blended Brandy, and the cola that stretches it further.

From Cape Malay cuisine comes Bobotie, a spiced minced-meat bake with dried fruit, topped with a baked egg custard. The apricot and spices in the dish echo beautifully in an aged Potstill Brandy from the same country.

In the cast-iron three-legged pot comes Potjiekos, a stew that simmers for hours over the coals. It demands patience, which makes it a dish for long afternoons outdoors, ending with a small glass of brandy alongside the coffee.

Dessert often means Koeksisters, plaited dough soaked in sugar syrup, and milk tart, a pastry shell filled with milk custard. Such sweetness pairs well with an aged Potstill Brandy, whose vanilla and dried-fruit notes complement it without overwhelming.

Anyone driving the Brandy Route can dine at many of the Brandy Homes along the way. Many houses pair tastings with food or cocktails, letting you sample a brandy right where it was made.