What: OKUSHAL – range of cordials ‘ The four creatively expressive, fruity flavours are: Raspberry & Naartjie Prickly Pear & Mint Ginger & Pineapple Pomegranate Lime & Lemon Order at https://okushaldrinks.com/shop and www.takealot.co.za Visit the OKUSHAL website for a list of the retail outlets where OKUSHAL is sold Also pop into Makers Landing, Cruise Terminal at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town to visit the mobile bar and enjoy an OKUSHAL experience in person. |
On trend with the move to non-alcoholic drink alternatives is OKUSHAL – a proudly South African brand range of cordials. There are four fruity flavours: Raspberry & Naartjie, Prickly Pear & Mint, Ginger & Pineapple and Pomegranate Lime & Lemon. The name OKUSHAL was inspired by the Zulu word for new, okusha. The cordials are gluten free, contain only natural ingredients and have a moderate sugar content. Four artists were commissioned to design the bottles for the launch run. Each year, a different South African artist will be engaged for a new design. Read on for more about this amazing story and these delishly inspired cordials. Info as supplied:
Beyond cordial? Let’s get curious…
Immerse yourself in an extraordinary voyage of renewal and discovery as part of the global sensation that’s the swelling surge of sober curiosity.
It’s a modern movement of freedom of expression, conscious self-care and delighting in deliciousness, seeking out non-alcoholic drink alternatives.
OKUSHAL is a captivating new, original range of delectable cordials that has burst onto the scene, bursting with flavour in four fetching editions that are zero alcohol, maximum fun.
Established embracing a profound passion and commitment to celebrating the arts in all its varied forms, OKUSHAL is the meeting point between conscious curiosity, celebrating creativity and the art of sobriety. Its heart is deeply entrenched in a journey to satisfy the thirsty, socially, at home or away.
Encased in bottles beautifully adorned with designs by four South African artists, OKUSHALis art you can drink. In keeping with its objective of having a real and meaningful association with the arts, OKUSHAL will commission different artists each year to create new designs for each flavour. The brand will also seek out opportunities for partnerships with like-minded artists and organisations.
The name OKUSHAL is inspired by the Zulu word for new, okusha. Change is a constant in life and art. Change brings a sense of renewal, restoration and rejuvenation. An ‘L’ was added for love, life and levity, with a strike-through of the ‘AL’ on the bottles as a bold celebration of choosing a non-alcoholic beverage.
Okushalism draws on the renewal aspect inherent in all the arts. This includes all forms of music, visual arts, theatre, fashion, film and photography, poetry and creative writing, culinary arts, cocktails and mixology, dance, handmade crafts, sculpture, global trends, architecture and technology.
“OKUSHALis opportunity for experimentation and expression. Whether you are sober curious or looking for an inspiring alternative drink for your family, OKUSHAL mixes well with everyone, for any occasion,” says founder Derek Lubner.
“I wanted to create a proudly South African, delicious and alcohol-free alternative to arouse the curious and satisfy the thirsty, socially at home or away. OKUSHAL is a premium product that refreshes, delights and dazzles your tastebuds. It mixes brilliantly with mineral, soda or tonic water, and is my drink when I’m not drinking” says Lubner.
“We aspire for OKUSHAL to become the go-to brand for a non-alcoholic alternative. With our deep passion for the arts, embracing of excellence and our commitment to providing a delicious, refreshing non-alcoholic drink, we ensure everyone has a good time with their social scene!”.
The four creatively expressive, fruity flavours are:
· Raspberry & Naartjie
· Prickly Pear & Mint
· Ginger & Pineapple
· Pomegranate Lime & Lemon
All the OKUSHALdrinks are gluten free, contain only natural ingredients and have a moderate sugar content. OKUSHAL is sold in three handy formats: 500ml, 200ml and a Showcase Giftpack which includes all four flavours in 200ml bottles.
The 500ml bottle retails for R220, the 200ml bottle retails for R125 and the Showcase Giftpack retails for R480.
The bottles are collector’s items in their own right, with the first series of cordials featuring a work by international model turned photographer, Lorraine van Wyk, on the Raspberry & Naartjie flavour, in a burst of florals and colour.
Prickly Pear & Mint features an inspiring and beautiful poem titled Ascent, by poet Isobel Dixon.
The Pomegranate Lime & Lemon label includes a vibrant abstract work of talented Sibusiso Ngwazi.
The Ginger & Pineapple label is adorned with an eye-catching work by Wiehan de Jager, local award-winning printmaker, graphic designer and lecturer at the Cape Town Art Academy.
“With the exquisitely designed bottles, OKUSHAL cordials are a conversation piece, a drink we want to become woven into the local and global creative tapestry,” concludes Luber.
“Explore Beyond Cordial and why not try OKUSHAL with desserts,” says creative director Alex Levetan. “Add to a crisp lemon sorbet on a hot summery day, or drink as a warm OKUSHAL infused tea on a cold wintery evening. Make a new marvellous milkshake with a blend of your choice of milk, vanilla ice-cream and a splash of your favourite Okushal flavour. Visit our website for recipe and cocktails ideas – get over the influence and try OKUSHAL!
The OKUSHAL drinks were originally developed by Master Blender Nic Janeke at New Harbour Distillery in Cape Town in 2023. The new and more flavour intense blends are now produced by Max Traicos at The Original Craft Soda Company in Muizenberg, Cape Town.
OKUSHAL makes a perfect original holiday season gift! Grab a bottle or the exquisitely designed Showcase Giftpack which includes all four flavours in 200ml bottles.
OKUSHAL can be ordered online and is conveniently available for delivery directly to you. Order at https://okushaldrinks.com/shop and www.takealot.co.za
Visit the OKUSHAL website for a list of the retail outlets where OKUSHAL is sold.
Also pop into Makers Landing, Cruise Terminal at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town to visit the mobile bar and enjoy an OKUSHAL experience in person.
The OKUSHAL Story
Way back in 2020 on a dry December dawn, entrepreneur and philanthropist Derek Lubner’s vision was crystal clear. He set out to create a delicious and satisfying alcohol-free alternative to quench his thirst.
Embracing this moment of renewal, he shared this plan with Alex Levetan, creative director and newly baptised teetotaller. The worldwide ‘sober curious’ movement was growing, so, together, Derek and Alex chose to wade into the shallows of this new, yet swelling surge of sober drink alternatives.
Alex asked his friend and creative colleague, Craig Cockcroft, to join this quench quest, and together started doing some research, tasting sessions and soon a steady flow of ideas began to emerge.
The Renewal Drinks Company was born in the Spring of 2022. The OKUSHAL drinks were originally developed by Master Blender Nic Janeke at New Harbour Distillery in Cape Town in 2023. The new and more flavour intense blends are now produced by Max Traicos at The Original Craft Soda Company in Muizenberg, Cape Town.
OKUSHAL has a commitment to the arts in all its varied forms. Four artists were commissioned to design the initial run for the four flavours. Each year, a different South African artist design will be engaged for a new design.
Available for sale online, at leading retail outlets and at Makers Landing, Cruise Terminal at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, the OKUSHAL bespoke state-of-the-art mobile bar unit is also available for serving at events and functions. It is a perfect attraction and non-alcoholic offering to your guests at a wedding, private party, corporate function or entertainment event.
Join the OKUSHAL conversation at: Facebook: Okushal Drinks Instagram: Okushal Drinks Website: https://okushaldrinks.com/ |

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