Sodabi


Sodabi is a type of liquor made from distilled palm wine. It is popular in the West African nation of Benin, where it is often produced clandestinely. Sodabi is more popular in the southern part of the country, but can be found in northern markets as well.
Quality of the drink can vary widely based on the producer, as there is often little to no oversight on the production methods and final chemical content. According to French authorities, this is why the drink was banned throughout the colonial period. Colonial authorities were also concerned that consumption of the drink would hamper imports of European liquors.
It is known by many names: koutoukou in Ivory Coast, Akpeteshie in Ghana or Ogogoro in Nigeria.

Commercial Production

Today, several companies have started large scale production of the drink for export to other parts of the world. This includes Tambour Original in Benin.