News Cafe partners with Diageo and female mixologist to bring a taste explosion to women across South Africa.

Johannesburg – In a bid to celebrate Women’s Month, premium cocktail bar News Cafe 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 in the month of August.

The three cocktails, dubbed the Sisterhood of Cocktails will be launched at a media event held at the Woodmead News Cafe on Tuesday, 13 August 2019, where media and influencers will be treated to a mixology class session hosted by Taneale Van der Merwe, World Class National Finalist – allowing them the opportunity to make the 3 specially curated cocktails and share Taneale’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,” said Varina Singh, News Cafe Brand Manager. “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 Taneale.

“We have created three limited editions cocktails that will share that daily dose of inspiration to women across our restaurants,” said Singh. “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 personalized card that depicts what women stand for,” Singh added.

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.

Forming part of this launch, the women will get an opportunity to share their personalised stories about their views of our country in today’s world as a woman.

During this month, News Cafe 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 Cafes 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 concluded.

“Not for persons under the Age of 18. Enjoy Responsibly”