Exploring Cape Town’s Thriving Craft Gin Culture
A City of Flavour, Creativity, and Distilled Perfection
Cape Town has long been celebrated for its world-class wines, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant food scene. But in recent years, the city has emerged as a global hotspot for craft gin, attracting connoisseurs, distillers, and cocktail lovers from around the world. With a perfect blend of local botanicals, innovative distillers, and unique gin bars, Cape Town’s craft gin scene offers an experience unlike any other.
The Rise of Craft Gin in Cape Town
Gin has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. Once known as a simple spirit for classic cocktails, it has evolved into an artisanal experience, with distillers crafting small-batch gins infused with carefully selected botanicals. Cape Town's natural biodiversity, including fynbos and indigenous herbs, has played a huge role in shaping the distinct character of local gins. From citrusy and floral notes to deep, earthy undertones, every bottle tells a story of the land.
The craft gin movement in the city has been driven by passionate distillers who have taken traditional techniques and infused them with South African creativity. This has resulted in award-winning gins that reflect Cape Town’s terroir and culture.
Must-Visit Craft Gin Distilleries in Cape Town
If you're looking to immerse yourself in the city’s craft gin culture, these distilleries offer tastings, tours, and a behind-the-scenes look at the distillation process.
1. Deep South Distillery
Located in the heart of the Cape Peninsula, Deep South Distillery is a small-batch, award-winning distillery producing handcrafted gins with a strong local influence. Their guided tastings showcase a selection of their bold, flavourful gins, each infused with unique botanicals.
Deep South Distillery’s gins have received multiple accolades on the world stage, including:
- Gold & Silver Medals at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards
- Recognition at the London Spirits Competition
- Awards at the International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC)
2. Pienaar & Son Distilling Co.
This family-run distillery in Cape Town’s historic District Six combines tradition with innovation. Known for their clean and modern approach to distillation, Pienaar & Son gins feature bright citrus notes and carefully balanced botanicals, making them a favourite among craft spirit lovers.
Founded by Andre Pienaar and his son, Schalk, this distillery is built on a legacy of engineering and a deep passion for distillation. Schalk, a trained mechanical engineer, uses his technical expertise to refine the distilling process, ensuring precision and consistency in every batch. The result? Gins that are not only expertly crafted but also push the boundaries of what a traditional gin should be.
3. Hope Distillery
One of the pioneers of South Africa’s craft gin movement, Hope Distillery is home to a range of expertly crafted gins that highlight local ingredients. Their tasting room and gin-making experiences provide insight into the artistry of small-batch distillation.
Founded in 2014 by Lucy Beard and Leigh Lisk, this innovative distillery was the first licensed gin distillery in Cape Town, setting the stage for the artisanal gin revolution in the country. With a focus on quality, creativity, and sustainability, Hope Distillery has crafted a range of award-winning, small-batch gins that celebrate both the traditional art of distillation and the unique botanicals of the Cape.
The Best Gin Bars in Cape Town
Beyond the distilleries, Cape Town is home to some of the best gin bars in the country. These hidden gems serve expertly mixed cocktails, showcasing South African craft gins in new and exciting ways.
1. The Gin Bar
Tucked away behind a chocolate shop, The Gin Bar is a true hidden treasure. Their menu features locally inspired gin cocktails, each crafted with handpicked botanicals, fresh herbs, and artisanal tonics. The intimate and stylish setting makes it the perfect place to indulge in Cape Town’s gin culture.
2. The Woodstock Gin Co.
Located in the heart of the creative and edgy Woodstock district, Woodstock Gin Co. is a must-visit for craft gin enthusiasts. Known for its bold, flavourful gins infused with unique African botanicals, this gin bar and distillery offers an immersive experience where visitors can sip expertly crafted gin cocktails while learning about the distillation process first-hand. Their signature Inception Gin, which comes in both a wine-based and a beer-based version, is a true testament to their innovative approach to gin-making.
With a laid-back yet stylish atmosphere, Woodstock Gin Co. is the perfect spot to unwind with a G&T, enjoy a distillery tour and tasting, or even take part in a gin-making experience.
Whether you're a seasoned gin lover or a curious newcomer, Cape Town offers a gin experience unlike any other. From exploring distilleries to sipping handcrafted cocktails in secret gin bars, there’s no better way to discover the spirit of the city—one sip at a time.
Looking to explore Cape Town’s craft gin scene? Book a gin tasting or mixology experience and discover the artistry behind South Africa’s most exciting spirits.
