Safari Sundowners: Cocktails in the Namib Desert

Lately we’re seeking relief from Healdsburg’s triple-digit summertime temperatures, and refreshing drinks are high on our list of remedies. So we asked our friends at Little Kulala Camp in the Namib Desert (people who know a thing or two about hot and dry conditions and how to treat them) to share some of their sundowner secrets for rehydrating guests after a day spent exploring. They kindly obliged with these three Namib-tested cocktails.

The Gateway to Namibia’s Sand Sea

Little Kulala is a luxurious desert retreat situated in the private 91,500-acre Kulala Wilderness Reserve – the gateway to Namibia’s Sand Sea with its towering dunes and clear, starry skies. Mornings at Little Kulala start with a guided drive to the spectacular dunes of Sossusvlei entering through a private gate into the reserve. The oldest desert in the world does not disappoint: with dunes soaring as high as 1,256 feet above a flat valley floor and options to explore the iconic desert landscape on quad bike, by hot air balloon, on nature drives, or on foot.

Alcoholic Cocktails

Pimms No. 1 Fruit Cup Preparation notes: a “tot”  is roughly equivalent to a 1 ounce shot glass. Pimms Liqueur, 2 tots Fresh fruit sliced in cubes Apples sliced in matchsticks Lemonade or ginger ale to top up Serve in a highball glass or tumbler with a straw

Non-Alcoholic Cocktail

Sossusvlei Shandy Preparation notes: Schweppes Dry Lemon (also known as Bitter Lemon), is a popular mixer in Africa and Europe, but difficult to find in the U.S. The carbonated soft drink is flavored with quinine and lemon, with a signature bitter taste. Fever-Tree produces a Bitter Lemon which can be used in this recipe. You can make an alcoholic version of the Sossusvlei Shandy by adding your favorite beer. Dry Lemon (see note above) and ginger ale mixed in beer mug Add ice Dash of Angostura bitters Add a straw and swizzle stick Serve