Make your unique brand of gin

Gin-making, gin tasting and pizzas at Distiller's Union

Last updated: 25 October 2023

It all starts and ends with gin. At Distiller’s Union, you don’t just taste great gins, you get to make and design your own too. From choosing the alcohol percentage, flavour profile and colour, to designing the bottle, you and friends will each walk out with your own bespoke bottle.

They host regular gin-making and gin-tasting events on Thursday, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays. Image: Distiller’s Union

TOUR THE DISTILLERY ON WEEKENDS

Gin making at Distillers Union is a packed 3-hour experience. As you settle into the gin making room, overlooking the working distillery, you’re greeted with a gin cocktail and a plate of snacks. Each table has its own set of copper stills and glass bottles filled with all sorts of ingredients. 

An expert distiller then treats you and your friends to the engrossing history of the gin craze, from Holland (the birthplace of gin) to England and Cape Town. Then you learn about the art of gin-making.

Tour the distillery while you're there. Image: Distiller’s Union

MAKE YOUR OWN BESPOKE GIN

There are three simple steps to make your own gin. First you choose your base flavours, which will set the tone of your gin. There are various spices, citrus, herbs and floral botanicals to pick from, including rooibos, pineapple, jasmine, naartjie, grapefruit and more. 

Then it’s play time. 

You’ll extract each of your ingredients with a syringe and mix it all together (to equal 100mls in total per volume in the still). An expert distiller will guide you through the experience, giving tips on which flavours work well together.

You are given a guide book with detailed descriptions of each flavour and how they pair with others. Image: Distiller’s Union 

LEARN THE ART OF DISTILLING 

Once that’s done, your ingredients are ready to go into your mini copper gin still with your base spirit. The flame underneath the pot creates tiny drops of clear liquid which drips into a collection glass underneath. That's your gin in the making. Through this, you’ll learn everything about the distilling process.

Your gin-making experience comes with a snack platter. Image: Distiller’s Union

DESIGN YOUR OWN LABEL 

What are you doing while your gin distils? Coming up with a name for your gin and designing your own personal label with the coloured pens and labels provided.

After about 15 to 20 minutes of distilling, it’s time to decant your gin into a bottle. You then select your alcohol percentage, and you can even change the colour of your special gin.

You can make your gin any shade of yellow, pink, blue, a mix of everything, or keep it clear. Image: Lara van Zyl

TASTE GIN OR GINGER BEER 

There are three tastings to choose from: A guided gin tasting experience with four gins, a garnish pairing, snack plate and tonic.

You can also try a Dragon Ginger beer tasting with Dragon Original, Double Dragon and two Dragon Hard Seltzers (orange and berry); as well as a Beast Tasting (a tasting of different alcoholic drinks, with a Double Dragon ginger beer, a double shot of Cask Aged 5 Pence Gin and Distillers cut).

You can do a tasting during your gin-making experience, or as an entire experience by itself. Image: Distiller’s Union

ENJOY PIZZA ON AN OUTDOOR DECK

After the experience, or while you wait for your gin to distil, you can order some pizzas and mingle on the outdoor sunset deck with views of Table Mountain, with a large wood-fired pizza oven and a couple of high tables and stools. 

Everything from Tre Formaggi (three cheeses) and Vegetariana (with mushrooms and olives) to Con Carne with bacon, salami, ham and onion. You can also order beers and cocktails at the bar. Read more about the experiences available at Distiller’s Union. 

Pizzas can be ordered separately or as part of your experience (corporate functions only). Image: Distiller’s Union

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DISTILLER’S UNION

Distiller’s Union is open for experiences: Wednesday to Sunday, 11am - 5:30pm
Distiller’s Union is open for retail: Daily, 11am - 5:30pm
Find it: 156 Victoria Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
Book: via Distiller’s Union’s website or bookings@distillersunion,co.za
Cost: From R595 for standard gin making experience; from R130 for a tasting
Contact on: 021 447 2517, @distillersunion

Please note that to facilitate preparation no bookings will be accepted closer than 24 hours before the event. If you need to arrange a booking time slot that is not available online, email  info@distillersunion.co.za  

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TASTE MORE OF WHAT CAPE TOWN HAS TO OFFER

While you're at it, book out Distiller's Union for your next big event.Try a local craft beer tasting at Woodstock Brewery.
Taste wine in a themed cave at Klein Roosboom.
Go big on your birthday with one of these special places.
Discover what else you can do this weekend. 

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