May 16, 2010

Name your poison – from wormwood to banana gin

Have you noticed the revival of absinthe, and other ‘wormwood-based spirits’? They are legal again in many places, and attract the sort of drinker who hopes the bottle might rub off a bit of seemingly dark and dangerous mystique (while imparting nothing more risky than a slight hangover).

Much more ghoulishly horrifying are the cocktails apparently in vogue today in Africa, most made with an extremely cheap base of fermented maize and sorghum:

Chang’aa (“Kill me quick”) – the base plus either mortuary embalming fluid or some other methanol. Decomposing rodents and bits of underwear are occasionally found in the mix (no joke). Causes brain damage and blindness.

Jet-Five – the base with a bit of jet fuel. Ditto.

Waragi – banana gin, frequently toxic.

Laela mmago (“Goodbye Mum”) – the name about says it all.

Ghastly stuff, and a sad commentary on the desperation of many Africans.