The springbokkie ("little

springbok The springbok (''Antidorcas marsupialis'') is a medium-sized antelope found mainly in south and southwest Africa. The sole member of the genus ''Antidorcas'', this bovid was first described by the German zoologist Eberhard August Wilhelm ...

" in the

Afrikaans Afrikaans (, ) is a West Germanic language that evolved in the Dutch Cape Colony from the Dutch vernacular of Holland proper (i.e., the Hollandic dialect) used by Dutch, French, and German settlers and their enslaved people. Afrikaans gr ...

language) is a

cocktail A cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink. Most commonly, cocktails are either a combination of spirits, or one or more spirits mixed with other ingredients such as tonic water, fruit juice, flavored syrup, or cream. Cocktails vary widely acr ...

shooter Shooting is the act or process of discharging a projectile from a ranged weapon (such as a gun, bow, crossbow, slingshot, or blowpipe). Even the acts of launching flame, artillery, darts, harpoons, grenades, rockets, and guided missiles can ...

that is popular in

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring coun ...

. It is composed of

crème de menthe Crème de menthe (, French for "mint cream") is a sweet, mint-flavored alcoholic beverage. It is available commercially in a colorless version (called "white") and a green version (colored by the mint leaves or by added coloring if made from extr ...

(''or substitutes'') and Amarula. The drink derives its name from the country's national animal, and the colors from the team jersey colours (green and gold) of the

South Africa national rugby union team The South Africa national rugby union team, commonly known as the Springboks (colloquially the Boks, Bokke or Amabokoboko), is the country's national team governed by the South African Rugby Union. The Springboks play in green and gold jerse ...

, which is known as "The Springboks". The ratio of Amarula to crème de menthe can vary substantially between recipes.

The springbokkie ritual

Some insist that a special ritual should be performed before drinking this shot. The ritual involves placing both hands behind one's ears with the index fingers pointing up. One then stomps their feet on the ground, snorts through their nostrils and squeals, resembling how a real springbok behaves in the wild. Participants then lower their heads to the shot glass, pick it up using their front teeth and scull the drink. There are several ways to perform this ritual. Some choose to add a story to the game: "Are there any leopards? ''(Everyone shakes their heads)'' Are there any lions? ''(Everyone shakes their heads)'' Then get to the waterhole and drink!"

References

South African drinks Shooters (drinks) {{Cocktail-stub