Local Drinks

1. Aha

   Aha (liquor, palm wine, or a drink in general)

   Usage

   The basic Ewe word for alcoholic drink. Dictionaries also list the meaning palm wine and the meaning of any non-alcoholic drink, so the context decides which is meant

   Grammar Note

   Aha has several meanings (alcoholic drink, palm wine, any drink). The form aha sesẽ means strong liquor.

2. Akpeteshie

   Akpeteshie (local spirit distilled from palm wine or sugar cane)

   Usage

   A strong local spirit distilled from palm wine or sugar cane, called the national spirit of Ghana. It is high in alcohol, so take care how much you drink

   Grammar Note

   This is the Ghanaian name; a similar spirit is called sodabi in Togo and Benin. Along Lake Volta palm wine ferments quickly, and it is distilled into this spirit.

3. Sodabi

   Sodabi (spirit distilled from palm wine)

   Usage

   A homemade spirit distilled from palm wine. The name sodabi is used mainly in Togo and Benin, where the drink has an important place in daily life and religious practice

   Grammar Note

   The same drink is called akpeteshie in Ghana, ogogoro in Nigeria and koutoukou in Côte d'Ivoire.

4. Tchoukoutou

   Tchoukoutou (traditional beer of Togo and Benin)

   Usage

   The traditional beer of Togo and Benin. In some rituals a priest pours it out as an offering to the gods

   Grammar Note

   This spelling (Tchoukoutou) is the French-language form. Brewing it is mainly women's work.

5. Asaana

   Asaana (non-alcoholic fermented-maize drink)

   Usage

   A non-alcoholic drink made from fermented corn and caramelised sugar. It comes from the Volta Region and is served chilled, plain or with milk

   Grammar Note

   It is also called Aliha, Liha or Elewonyo, and is common in southern Ghana.

6. Sobolo

   Sobolo (hibiscus drink)

   Usage

   A tart drink made by steeping hibiscus (roselle) calyces, sweetened and served cold. In Ghana it is called sobolo

   Grammar Note

   The name varies by region: bissap in Burkina Faso and Senegal, zobo in Nigeria.

7. Atadwe milk

   Atadwe milk (tiger nut drink)

   Usage

   A milk-like drink made by grinding tiger nuts (atadwe), the tubers of a sedge

   Grammar Note

   Atadwe is the Akan name, and it is spelled this way in descriptions of Ghanaian food.

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