Come and get some Booze!!!

Uraak

Uraak is one of Goa’s tastiest secrets and this is the season to discover it. Available fresh and freely in the months leading up to the monsoon, this cloudy nectar is the first distillate of cashew feni.
I can already see you wrinkle your nose at my mention of feni, but drop your inhibitions and pick up a glass the next time you’re in Goa.
A lot of the fancier restaurants won’t have it, but ask at places like Britto’s and they just might. Otherwise, stop by any of the small local bars that dot the state and ask for a glass. You won’t be disappointed.
                           
Feni
Drop your raised eyebrows and your preconceived notions about feni and I promise that you will discover a drink that is unlike any other. This most unfairly maligned nectar is Goa’s de facto state drink, and with good reason.
It comes in two variants, cashew and coconut. Now while you might know that both are made by a host of distilleries and sold under different brand names like Cajulana, Big Boss etc, what you might not know is that the best feni (and the one that doesn’t stink) is made by local village brewers. No, it won’t make you blind but it will open your eyes to the wonders of a drink that you should have embraced on your first visit.
Local caju (as cashew feni is called) retains a bit of the bottled version’s pungency but maad (as local coconut feni is called) is all smooth sweetness. Both are very rewarding to drink though.
The best way to have feni? On ice, with lime and sugar as per your taste.
The best place to savour it? Like uraak, local bars are your best bet but I can vouch for the maad at Britto’s, sourced from one of Baga’s distillers. Cavala in Baga also bottles and sells their own label and new brands like Cazulo are great for those who need a more ‘polished’ experience.

Armada

By now you have a fair idea of the proud alcohol-making heritage of Goa. So it comes as no surprise that Armada, India’s newest and most exciting liqueur, is from Goa. These guys are the only Indian brand to ever win the Gold Outstanding medal at IWSC (the International Wine & Spirit Competition), it’s the toughest medal to win in the business and even Johnnie Walker Blue Label only got the Gold (a step below Gold Outstanding) in the same competition!
Based on a family recipe that has been in the makers’ family since the times of the Portuguese Empire, this spice liqueur is still handcrafted in small batches. Made without artificial colours, preservatives or flavours, this all-natural concoction is supposed to make unique cocktails. I haven’t had this yet, but being a long-time admirer of Goa’s brewing and distilling traditions, I am sure this will be something to drink over and over again.
So when you’re enjoying an Armada, or any of the other nectars on this list, do have one for me. Cheers!