61 Sake or seishu, is Japan’s very interesting rice wine, in which polished rice has been fermented into alcohol. While it’s called a wine, the interesting fact I never knew is that the brewing process is more like beer, although in its undiluted form it is quite potent! You can get clued up on how sake is produced with a visit to the historical suburbs of Fushimi in Kyoto, home to several sake factories. You meet the revered tōji, or brewer, but you can definitely explore the storage facilities where the sake matures for nine to twelve months, before sampling a selection of five types of sake (just don’t forget to eat beforehand!). As the national beverage, sake is often saved for special occasions and religious ceremonies, and has a whole tradition as to how it is stored (in a ceramic bottle known as a tokkuri) and drunk (from a flat cup called a sakasuki). It used to be such a popular drink that even government-run tasting contests were held, but sadly, sake production has been dwindling since the 1970s. You can easily find restaurants that serve sake as they will have a globe of cedar leaves hung outside their establishment, which is a traditional symbol of sake brewing. Walter Kealey Travel Consultant, Asia Have you tried Laos beer? Beerlao is the country’s only beer brand and a national pride! I recommend you enjoy a chilled one during a private evening of enjoying a barbecue and playing petanque or boules, a popular sport in Laos! Your guide will teach you the rules of the game, but this is also a great way to interact with other local people, as well as experience the rustic nightlife of Luang Prabang. The best way to wash down Beerlao is with some delicious dishes off the sindat, a type of local barbecue, which follows. The evening finishes by 9pm, which is ideal for those who like to be in bed early. Anjali Joseph Trip Coordinator, Asia Traditional witblits literally translated to white lightning in Afrikaans, and there’s good reason why: it really packs a punch! Undiluted, this South African clear brandy is also known as firewater and is mainly made in small batches in a copper pot-still in a few provinces, including the Western Cape, using the grape leftovers from the wineries. Witblits was illegal to sell for many years as the government favored the major wine and liquor producer KWV, which created a monopoly on liquor, meaning farmers could only enjoy it on their own farms. Try the peach variety of witblits, known as mampoer, accompanied by the South African favorite of biltong, a dried, cured meat. There’s an annual Witblits Festival in South Africa, which is only for serious enthusiasts – one of the competitions involves spitting mampoer-soaked kudu droppings! Annie Irankunda Travel Consultant, Africa When in Southern Africa, you’ve got to try the cream liqueur Amrula, served straight up as a shooter or over ice! I first heard about this drink when I saw some elephants getting drunk off the African marula tree. Only once a year does the tree bear fruit in the lush Limopopo bushveld, but elephants come from afar to get a taste as they are attracted by its scent that can travel miles! The fruit is sun-ripened and then collected by hand before being de-stoned, pulped and fermented. Also known as the elephant or marriage tree, the marula tree is at the center of many incredible ancient African legends and is meant to have aphrodisiac properties so it is featured in traditional fertility rites. Amrula is best compared to a velvety rich coffee cream liqueur and is incredibly moreish, but do watch out as it has a 17% alcoholic volume. The best place to try this drink is during your safari in one of southern Africa’s private game reserves. As the sun goes down, your jeep will stop and be turned into a minibar with local snacks to add some salt to this sweet treat! What I particularly love about Amrula is the fact that the distiller supports elephant conservation and research, including its own Name, Them, Save Them campaign, as well as helping reduce human/elephant conflict in Botswana. Sanchi Dhalla Trip Coordinator, Africa