Goan Feni - cocktails

As enlisted in my previous posts, Goa has been synonymous with the local brew Goan Feni which has made the state famous. While the brew is to be consumed responsibly as has been done by a majority of Goans, some people from outside the state have falsely used the opportunity to label Goans as drunkards which is a myth.

The Feni is our drink for sure, but by no means are we so caught up with Feni alone that we lose sight of our senses. However we love Feni to be a pure Goan brew and we are proud of its heritage.

Goan feni is of two distinct types.The Cashew feni is produced out of the juice of cashew apples and the process is very extensive and explained here. Coconut feni is the other brew made from the toddy collected by toddy tappers. While coconut feni has it’s own following, cashew feni is preferred by the majority of Goans because of it’s nostalgic taste and flavour. Also between the two, cashew feni costs more and its process is more extensive.

We have various cocktails of Feni made in Goa. some of them are as under

(1) Sizzling Goa
55ml cashew feni
a chilled soda
juice of 1 lemon
a small piece of ginger
1 clove
2 cardamom pods
1 cashew nut ( only for garnishing)

Its simple:Put all the ingredients in a pitcher and stir them. After stirring , strain and pour into a glass. Finally garnish with a piece of cashew nut.

(2) Feni on Fire
Send some ice cubes down in a tall glass

Now send a small measure of Goan Cashew feni inside that glass

Split or rather slit a green chilli and land it vertically in the glass

Now add 7 Up to the glass and garnish with a slice of lemon/lime to serve.

(3) Amcho Fidalgo - with Coconut Feni
Ice cubes
Coconut Feni
Rum
Half lemon
Sugar
Angostura bitters
Orange juice
Nutmeg
Orange slices
Mint

Put ice cubes in a reasonably tall glass. Add one large measure of Coconut Feni, a similar measure of rum, squeeze the juice of half a lemon, add two dashes of Angostura Bitters, a teaspoon of sugar. Stir and top it up with 2 measures of orange juice, a sprinkling of nutmeg. Decorate with a slice of orange and a sprig of mint.

(4)Succegado Goenkar

50ml coconut Feni ( maddancho)
1/4 tsp powder of cinnamon
1/2 tsp sugar
250 ml soda + ice cubes
Garnishing: coconut piece

Drop all the ingredients into a blender and after blending well enough, pour the mixture into a narrow glass. For decoration purpose , garnish with a round slice of coconut and an ice cube floating in it to float onto this succegado mix of Goa

(5)Sol De Laranja

Pour a single measure of Coconut Feni ( Maddancho) into a tall glass with lots of ice. Top it up with two measures of fresh orange juice and garnish it finally with a slice of orange.

Hope you enjoy Goan Feni responsibly