Many people do not know that Cape Town has a thriving gin scene that is as noteworthy as the impeccable wine farms that dot the city. From gin tastings and distillery tours to aesthetically pleasing spots with the best cocktails, the Mother City has something for every gin palette.
Here are our favourite best gin experiences on offer in the city:
Gin tasting and tours
Deep South Distillery
Deep South Distillery is the southernmost distillery on the Cape Peninsula specialising in distilling small-batch, hand-crafted spirits. Join for a tasting of their award-winning gin paired with different concoctions.
There is also a distillery tour for those who want to learn about the gin-making process. The award-winning distillery is open for tastings every Friday and Saturday from 10 to 3.30pm. Weekday tastings are by appointment only.
Cost: R120 for gin tasting, including a complimentary distillery tour. There is also rum, vodka and a host of other spirited combinations options for the discerning palate.
Website: www.deepsouthdistillery.co.za
Twelve Apostles Hotel
The luxury hotel offers a string of gin experiences for guests, including a daily gin tasting from 11am. With local and international gins on offer, guests can savour the diverse range of botanicals and flavour profiles during the tasting. There’s also The Gin & Canape Tasting experience that pairs G&Ts with gourmet treats designed by chef Nicholas Goldschmidt.
Cost: R595 for the gin-making experience, R295 for the tasting.
Website: www.12apostleshotel.com
Hope Distillery
Head to Hope Distillery to sample a few of their professionally crafted gins. Their well-decorated tasting room is open from Wednesday to Friday between 2pm to 5pm.
The Flagship Gin Tasting offers three of their Hope Gins and their Hobbs Cape Dry Gin in a DIY-style gin and tonic format. An expert delves into the gin-making process and teaches guests how to pour the perfect gin and tonic.
Cost: Tastings start from R120 per person.
Website: www.hopedistillery.co.za/tastings/
Kiff Kombi gin jol
Gather your friends and enjoy a Kiff Kombi gin jol (party). Hop in the minibus for a private tour to three gin distilleries, which is inclusive of a food pairing. There’s also a trip to the Secret Gin Bar, a famed gin attraction in the city.
The experience is by booking only and the perfect way to explore Cape Town and its stunning surroundings.
There are upgraded tours that allow you to make your own gin.
Cost: Starts from R1100 per person, depending on the size of the group.
Website: www.kiffkombitours.co.za
Gin and ice cream pairing at Misfits
Ice cream and gin-now that is a combo that you don’t see that often. This mouthwatering activity tickles the taste buds with unique pairings.
Guests get to sample three different flavours of ice cream that complement the Inverroche gin. The tastings take place from 11am to 3pm daily.
Cost: R150 per person.
Website: whyfitin.co.za
Hout Bay Harbour Distillery
Hout Bay Harbour Distillery is situated in the heart of Hout Bay harbour. Known as South Africa’s only Double World Award Winning Distillery, this family-run business produces world-class vapour-infused gin.
You will get a unique glimpse into the distilling process and learn about the creation of their world-class HBHD Craft Gins. End with a complimentary G&T cocktail. Tastings are offered every Thursday to Sunday from 12pm to 5pm.
Cost: R100 per person.
Website: www.houtbayharbourdistillery.co.za
Pienaar & Son Distilling Co.
This family run business at Maker’s Landing offers tastings from Thursday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm. They offer three tastings that feature their craft gin.
Cost: Tastings start from R60.
Website: www.pienaarandson.co.za
Make your own gin
Twelve Apostles Hotel
End your week with an enthralling Gin Making Experience at Twelve Apostles Hotel every Friday from 6pm to 8 pm. During the evening, a professional mixologist will guide you through the process of infusing your own gin with foraged botanicals.
Cost: R395 per person.
Website: 12apostleshotel.com
Misfits
Home to The Inverroche Gin Academy, an extension of the Inverroche Brand home-based in Stilbaai, guests enjoy a bespoke gin distillation experience.
The 3-hour experience features tantalising flavours that you can use to make and bottle your own gin.
The session includes a light meal and a gin and ice cream tasting.
Cost: R750 per person.
Website: whyfitin.co.za/
Distillers & Union
Distillers & Union hosts their gin-making and gin-tasting experiences from Thursday to Saturday.
There are two types, including the standard and deluxe gin making courses. The experience offers guests two drinks, snacks, a guided gin making experience, and a custom made 500ml bottle of gin and hand designed label.
Cost: The gin making course starts from R 495 per person. Gin tastings start from R60 per person.
Website: https://distillersunion.co.za
Where to get the best gin
Secret Gin Bar
The Secret Gin Bar is tucked away behind Honest Chocolate on Wale Street.
It’s not a secret for nothing as you will have to maneuver your way through a chocolate shop toward the quaint Mediterranean-style courtyard.
Try the ever-so-popular The Ambition, prepared with Triple Three Juniper Gin, elderflower tonic, thyme, cucumber, and cinnamon. Other items to try include The Soul, The Head and The Heart.
Open from Monday to Wednesday from 5pm to 1am and Thursday to Saturday from 3pm to 1am.
Cost: No entry fee, but individual cocktail costs apply.
Website: theginbar.co.za
Grand Pavilion
Order a gin-inspired drink and soak in the sweeping sunset views over the Atlantic Ocean at Grand Pavillion in Sea Point. The laid-back yet luxury setting offers two gin cocktails on the menu. The Sassy South is made with Bombay Sapphire, lemon and apple juice, cardamom, and mint, while the Bulldog Martini is made with Bulldog Gin, vermouth, and green olives.
Cost: No entry fee, but individual cocktail costs apply.
Website: www.grandpavilion.co.za
Also visit:
Athletic Club Social: theathletic.co.za/
Café Caprice: cafecaprice.co.za/
Zsa Zsa: zsazsa.co.za/
Ideas Cartel: www.ideascartel.com
Utopia: www.utopiacapetown.co.za/
