In a bid to celebrate Women’s Month, premium cocktail bar News Café has partnered with Diageo’s most-loved brands and female mixologist, Taneale van der Merwe to bring a taste of explosion in the form of limited edition cocktails suited for all women.
The three cocktails, dubbed the Sisterhood of Cocktails, were launched at a media event held at the Woodmead News Café on Tuesday, 13 August, where media and influencers were treated to a mixology class session hosted by Taneale van der Merwe, World-Class National Finalist,- allowing them the opportunity to make the three specially curated cocktails and share Van der Merwe’s inspiration.
In such a male-dominated industry, she was the only female in the World-Class’ National Finals this year, who competed against nine other top bartenders in South Africa making her a powerhouse mixologist worth partnering with, in the month that celebrates Women.
“Having to compete in this industry has been quite exciting. Unlike many industries, the bar family is very welcoming, accommodating and willing to train/mentor and help up-and- coming bartenders if you show them a genuine interest in the craft,” said Van der Merwe.
Varina Singh, News Café brand manager, said they created three limited-edition cocktails that will share that daily dose of inspiration with women across their restaurants.
“We wanted to create a range of cocktails that will not only speak to women but also empowers them – these will be served with a personalised card that depicts what women stand for,” Singh said.
The Sisterhood of Cocktails trio each consist of Diageo’s delectable premium liquids, namely, The Haig Woah-Man, made with the ever-so-elegant Haig Club Clubman single grain Scotch whisky, vanilla syrup and a splash of lemon juice and tonic water; The Apple of my Eye, a cocktail headlined by the matured Johnnie Walker Gold Label, infused with lemon juice, vanilla syrup and a dash of Appletizer, garnished with dehydrated orange; and lastly, The Rose Amongst the Thorns – a Tanqueray gin-based cocktail made with rose syrup and sparkling wine, garnished with rose-petals, making them exclusive to either a premium whisky devotee or a gin connoisseur. According to Van der Merwe, the cocktails created are inspired by each brand and how these brands inspire a whisky or gin aficionado to enjoy the perfect drink.
During the month, News Café will also be running an internal competition where three lucky female aspiring mixologists will have the opportunity to compete against each other to win a bartender course valued at R10 000. This forms part of News Cafés’ strategic decision to not only empower women but uplift women within their business.
“Our country is in much need of that pick me up, and as we share these stories throughout Women’s Month, we hope that they will continue to inspire and change the status quo,” Singh said.
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