13 Fun events taking place across SA this weekend for World Gin Day

Joburg and Vaal Dam

Dam Fine Gin at the R’new Pecan Farm and Wellness Centre (13 June 2017 and ongoing | R1000)

This magnificent distillery has just been completed, amid great excitement. In honour of World Gin Day, owners Kim and John Austen are launching experiential, fun-filled practical workshops on how to distil botanically infused gin.

The affairs will include a theory segment, a tasting of four types of gin and the opportunity to create your own bespoke bottle of gin, with a personalised label. You’ll also get to sip on a Blending of Four cocktail while you nibble on snacks.

The distillery is situated on a game farm on the banks of the Vaal, where there’s a homestead, a wellness centre and a beautiful Chartres labyrinth, so why not book in for the weekend and spoil both body and soul?

It also features a cigar lounge and gin-tasting room, where you can enjoy six-course gin pairing evenings or lunches, so if you’d rather sit back and be spoilt, book in for one of those.

Ginapalooza Gin & Music Festival at The Sands (16 June 2017 | R150/R200 | Tickets from Nutickets)

This celebration in Sandton promises to be ‘craftier than a pair of loom-spun underpants and more festive than a jester in a cellophane G-string’. What more can we add to that?

Ginstuition1729 at Movida (10 June 2017| R350 | Tickets from Quicket)

Sandton’s gin-tasting event with a difference features Bulldog London Dry Gin paired with floating canapés. Stay for the Winter Wonderland after party, where 5FM’s Roger Goode will be spinning the decks.

Pretoria and Hoedspruit

Carbon Bistro (10 June 2017 | 11am–4pm | R300 gets you all the local G & Ts you want | Event info here)

Pretoria’s local gin palace – and home to more than 100 craft gins – is hosting not one but two WGD events. During the day, drink as much gin as you can at the Bottomless Gin event while swaying (or stumbling) to a live performance from The Voice contestant Dylan Pretorius.

The Gin & Jazz event in the evening includes a signature gin cocktail on arrival, a nine-course tasting menu and live music from Bafanas Cab. Wear a mad hat and stand a chance of winning an exclusive bottle of small-batch gin. (

Hope on Hopkins has provided some limited-release gin for the occasion, and Ginifer and Westcliff will be having promos.)

AND

10 June 2017 | 7–11pm | R350 including welcome gin cocktail and food| Event info here

Safari Wines Wine and Food Festival at Bosveld Centre (10 June | 10am–5pm | R75 entrance | Event info here)

Make a beeline for the Ginifer and Westcliff G & Ts at this family fest, then chow down on gourmet offerings and listen to live beats.

Cape Town and Hermanus

A Touch of Madness (10 June | 5–6pm Selective Hearing DJs will be playing chilled tunes from 3pm| Contact info here)
 
Always a proponent of local products, Atom (for those in the know) is offering a buy-one-get-one-free happy hour on local gins for World Gin Day. There are six goodies on the Obs hangouts menu, four of which are made nearby.

Don’t miss Atom’s signature Anglo-Turkish Delight cocktail while you’re there – a G & T that’s topped up with bitters and rose syrup, giving it a delightful sweet flavour and bright pink colour. They do G & T by the jug too, so bring your friends and share the love.

The Gin Bar (10 June 2017 | 2–4pm | R390 | Tickets via Quicket)

Celebrate World Gin Day like a pro by making your own gin at Wale Street’s ‘secret’ gin bar. The gin soaked afternoon kicks off by delving into the history of gin, and its most common pairing: tonic. A guided tasting of a few gins – paired with fresh gingerbread – will let you hone in on your preferences, and then you’ll make your own 500ml-macerated gin blend using more than 35 herbs.

President Hotel (10 June 2017| 12–10pm | Event info here)

This suave Sea Point hotel is celebrating WGD with a limited-edition craft-gin cocktail menu. Bring your friends and work your way through it – they’re throwing in a 10% discount as an added bonus.

HQ (10 June 2017| R65 | Contact info here)

HQ, on Heritage Square, is hosting a fun ‘build your own’ gin cocktail event in its lovely courtyard. Once you’ve taken care of business, stay for the killer steaks the restaurant is known for, and a bit of a boogie.

Wine Village (Saturdays and Sundays in June 2017| 12–2pm | R30 to be donated to Pebbles Pre-school)

Get ready for the Gin Revolution! During the month of June, gin lovers are invited to experience South African craft gin at its finest. Local ‘gin crazy fundi’ Paul Du Toit will guide you through ten craft gins, six local tonic waters, Caperitif and even the famous (no fun) Duchess Virgin Gin & Tonic. Guests will receive a Waves of Flavours in Gin cocktail guide.
 
The Marine Hotel (15 and 16 June 2017 |12pm)

Learn all about the South African craft gin scene at this seaside establishment. Start off slowly with a Duchess Virgin Gin & Tonic cocktail before settling down for a seated tour of the country’s top ten. Want to know what they are? One is the fantastic new Six Dogs … you’ll have to go to find out about the rest. Guests here will also get a Waves of Flavours in Gin cocktail guide.

Durban

Craft Fest at Shongweni Farmers Market (16 June 2017 | 10am–4pm | R100/R120 including a tasting glass | Tickets from Quicket)

Meet the minds behind all things delicious at this festival of craft. There’ll be beer, cider, wine and food, but most importantly there’ll be gin!

Nationwide

Inverroche (10 June 2017 | Pretoria, Joburg, Umhlanga and Cape Town)

Get your Inverroche on this World Gin Day with creative cocktails at four fine establishments around South Africa: Carbon Bistro in Pretoria, Sin and Taxes in Johannesburg, 14 on Chartwell in Umhlanga and The Gin Bar in Cape Town.

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