A Ghanaian engagement is part wedding, part welcome, part cultural exchange. The food and drinks set the tone. Get them right and the room moves, the elders smile and the family stories start flowing. This guide walks through the traditional drinks, the small chops, the main meal and the modern additions that work well alongside heritage.
Traditional Drinks: What to Serve and Why
Palm wine has a ceremonial place in many Ghanaian engagements, especially during the family presentation. At Mijays Bar it is a separate optional extra, with availability, venue requirements and licensed supply and service agreed before booking. Sobolo, asaana and ginger or pine ginger offer alcohol-free choices; a separately priced mocktail bar can add contemporary reception flavours.
- Optional palm wine for the ceremonial moment, separately quoted
- Sobolo (hibiscus) chilled and lightly spiced
- Ginger or pine ginger for arrival refreshments
- Asaana as a traditional alcohol-free option
- Signature mocktails for younger guests and inclusivity
Small Chops: The Bites That Set the Tone
Traditional snacks can welcome guests as they arrive or sit alongside the ceremonial programme. Choose snacks-only or request styled presentation and tray service. Mijays Bar’s available snack selections below are options for a tailored menu, not a promise that every item is included at the starting price. Meat pies are separately quoted add-ons; peppered gizzard is an optional premium extra.
- Plantain chips
- Achomo / chin chin
- Ring doughnuts
- Nkate cake
- Adaakwa
- Aburo ne nkate
The Main Meal: Building Your Menu
A main meal is a separate part of your ceremony plan, not an inclusion in traditional drinks or snacks. Discuss your family’s preferences with your chosen main-meal caterer. If enquiring with Mijays Bar, main meals require availability and menu confirmation before booking.
Service Styling That Honours the Tradition
How food and drink are presented matters as much as what is served. Discuss traditional drinks, snacks or a styled bar, and share the order of ceremony. Your proposal confirms the presentation, staffing, equipment and timings rather than assuming every styling detail is included.
Choose your service
Traditional drinks, small chops or a styled local bar? Book the services you need, separately or together. Main meals are by enquiry only, subject to a confirmed menu, not included in these drinks and snack options.
Traditional drinks
Tailored quote
Sobolo, asaana and ginger or pine ginger.
Choose drinks-only for a simpler celebration, or add a styled bar below. Your tailored quote sets out quantities, presentation and any service team.
Enquire about traditional drinksExplore traditional drinksStyled traditional drinks bar
from £1,799
Traditional Ghanaian drinks with styled bar presentation.
A styled focal point for your reception, with a drinks menu and service arranged around your event. Your tailored quote lists servings, bar setup, staffing, glassware, service time and travel.
Enquire about a styled barExplore styled traditional drinks barTraditional snacks
£8 per guest
Plantain chips, Achomo / chin chin, Ring doughnuts, Nkate cake, Adaakwa, Aburo ne nkate. Available selections for your tailored menu, not all included at the starting price.
Choose snacks-only or add styled presentation and tray service to suit your occasion. Your tailored quote lists the selected snacks, portions, presentation, any staff and travel; drinks cost extra.
Enquire about traditional snacksExplore traditional snacksStarting prices apply to the named service, not a combined package. Your proposal confirms guest allowance, menu, staffing, glassware, setup and service time. Your quote confirms travel, staffing and setup costs before you book.
Optional add-on snacks
Separate from your drinks booking. On a snack booking, only the agreed snack menu is standard.
- Traditional snacks (£8 per guest)
- Canapés (£23 per guest)
- Meat pies, quoted separately
Meat pies are an optional add-on, quoted separately from the agreed snack menu. Peppered gizzard is an optional premium extra.
Optional add-on drinks
Drinks are not automatically included with snack catering.
- Traditional drinks such as sobolo, asaana and pine ginger
- Palm wine is an extra, subject to confirmation
Palm wine is a separate optional extra. Availability, venue requirements and appropriately licensed supply and service must be confirmed before booking.
Enquire about optional palm wineWe reply within 24–48 hours. A 40% retainer with your agreed proposal secures your date. The remaining 60% is due 14 days before your event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time should small chops start being served?
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Small chops typically begin as guests arrive and continue through the ceremonial rites. Plan for around 90 minutes of tray service before the main meal.
How many trays of small chops per guest?
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Five to seven pieces per guest is comfortable for a cocktail-hour build-up before a main meal. For standalone small chop events, plan for ten to fourteen per guest.
Can you serve palm wine in calabash?
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Discuss your ceremonial presentation when enquiring. Palm wine is a separate optional extra; availability, venue requirements, licensing and any calabash or glassware must be confirmed in your proposal.