The sustained thirst for well-crafted culinary cocktails continues as the Urban Brandy Cocktail Route (UBCR), now defined as ‘South Africa’s ultimate cocktail movement,’ announces its arrival on sunny Durban shores.
Since its Cape Town inception in early 2013, the route has spawned a passionate contingent of cocktail lovers, whose tremendous support reflects the growing appreciation for SA’s world-class brandies.
The formation of this popular urban route, a modern extension of the R62 and Western Cape Brandy Routes, speaks volumes of the evolution of brandy. As the ultimate experience-based initiative, the route celebrates the sunshine spirit’s rise from its more traditional role to its emergence as a sophisticated, modern spirit of unrivalled quality and versatility.
Having started small, with an initial launch of five venues in the Mother City, the UBCR has effectively grown beyond all expectation. With a further 15 venues now added to the Cape Town route, and additional roll-out underway in both Durban and Johannesburg, a visit to any venue on the route presents a truly fitting way to savour one of SA’s favourite spirits as the base element of a refreshing, taste-shaping cocktail.
SA’s acclaimed locally produced brandies consistently step into the global spotlight to scoop international glory, often hailed as the best on the planet for their outstanding quality. Crowned by the world, brandy is truly both an iconic elixir and a source of national pride. Discovering brandy is a journey of layered textures and tastes; and the UBCR is the perfect way for Durbanites to start the adventure.
“With its tropical summers and warm winters, exotic elements, laid-back coastal vibe and sociable, sunny people, Durban was the obvious natural extension of the Urban Brandy Cocktail route,” says Christelle Reade-Jahn, Director of The SA Brandy Foundation.
The listing of participating Durban sipping spots for these second-to-none cocktails include Florida Road’s bustling ‘Upstairs’ at Spiga Dora, ‘Boulevard’ (or BLVD as it’s more commonly known), the new and increasingly popular ‘Dropkick Murphy’s’, ‘Amsterdam Bar’ on Davenport Road and ‘Café Vacca Matta’ at Suncoast Casino.
Cocktail menus at each venue feature a bespoke selection of eight taste-shaping drinks, each with a premium South African brandy as its base.
Cocktail lovers are invited to join the Urban Brandy Cocktail Route Facebook page and follow exciting new developments on Twitter.