We’ve rounded up a selection of local and international gins to quench your thirst this summer. From poolside drinks to evening cocktails, this list has you covered.

Malachite Fynbos Gin

Infused with Cape Fynbos, this locally produced gin has distinctive hints of elderflower, chamomile and spring blooms. A fruity touch of lemon rind and delicate spice lingers on the palate.

R449 | kingshipspirits.co.za

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The Drum Gin Club

This African Dry gin captures the African soul. Drum Gin is juniper rich and citrusy with an unusual spice unfolding with the full vocabulary of African botanicals.

R499 | yuppiechef.com

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Distillery Road Gin

A contemporary blend of traditional gin flavours and modern flair, this London dry-method gin holds top notes of coriander and lime on the nose, with ginger and cracked black pepper on the palate. Subtler notes include confetti bush and elements of local fynbos.

R299 | ngf.co.za

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Hendrick’s Neptunia

As a chorus of waves sang across the Scottish coastline, their poetic melody enchanted Hendrick’s Master Distiller, Lesley Gracie. She vowed to do the impossible, to extract the essence of this oceanic allure. While this is a citrus-forward gin, juniper is present on the nose and palate.

R439 | ngf.co.za

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Clifton Botanical Gin

The range includes Clifton 1 – a signature sipping gin with orange peel, coriander seed, cardamom, lemon peel and tea-infusion notes of chamomile and honeybush. Serving it straight, over ice, will allow its delicate flavours to shine. Then there’s Clifton 2, which is perfect for cocktails, with fynbos and marine botanicals complemented by cucumber and buchu. Its juniper-dominant, clean flavour pairs well with various garnishes and tonics.

R429 | cliftongin.com

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Pienaar & Son Ugly Gin

Sporting the motto “You’re paying for the liquid, not everything else”, Ugly Gin is a grapefruit- and-goji gin available at an affordable price point. Pienaar & Son might say that they’re putting marketing and branding on the back burner for the moment – but while this is certainly a delicious drink with minimal frills, we think it has the best-designed packaging of the bunch.

R200 | uglygin.co.za

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Procera Blue Dot Gin

Made in Kenya, Procera is the world’s only gin to be distilled using African Juniper. The equatorial, high altitude, sun-drenched junipers harvested from near the highland forest of Kijabe are what create the distinctive nutty and earthy flavours of this award-winning gin.

R1 299 | yuppiechef.co.za

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Ginato Melograno Italian Gin

Sicilian pomegranates and Barbera grapes give this gin a bright and fresh twist. The floral notes on the nose are balanced by the tange of fruit on the palate.

R389 | culterdrinks.co.za

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Muti Gin

This expertly crafted citrus forward gin is rich, complex and refreshing and aims soothe and rejuvinate. Notes of of juniper, lemon zest and coriander open up into sweet and salty olive finish.

R430 | yuppiechef.com

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Looking for more local buys? Here are our top accessories for a home bar.

The post 9 Gins To Add To Your Drinks Trolly this Summer appeared first on Visi.

Douglas & Company has teamed up with Cape Town-based design studio OKHA on a new version of its McSorley’s Wonderful Saloon drinks trolley.

Appropriately named after one of New York’s longest-standing bars, McSorley’s Old Ale House, this epic drinks trolley continues to boast high-end finishes and bespoke detailing. A fresh take on the classic design sees the steel angle frame donning a textured coating while a bottom grating and folding steel tray make the perfect spot for your spirit collection. A handy new add-on functions as a tumbler tray.

The industrial steel’s moody grey colour palette is beautifully contrasted by natural materials: a solid timber wheel and an inlay tray in Siberian Larch that reveals the smallest of wooden details. A grey-green top made from Verde Magnifico marble with alluring golden veins finishes off this luxurious drinks station. Whisky anyone?

Carefully crafted in Cape Town in small quantities, each is individually labelled and numbered upon completion. Available exclusively at OKHA.

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Versatility and exquisite design details typify the Melvill & Moon brand.

For more than two decades, family-owned brand Melvill & Moon has been making safari equipment such as canvas seat covers, luggage and accessories right here in South Africa. These are two of the VISI team’s must-haves from its latest collection.

DJINN BAR (above)

Designed in the style of campaign furniture (pieces made for travel), this drinks cabinet consists of separate parts that can be used individually – the removable base is also a tray; and the leg stand, which has leather straps at the top, is a handy luggage rack.

GROGAN BACKPACK

Inspired by the rucksacks of early mountaineers, the Grogan is a classic design with a modern twist. It is made of washable canvas with leather trim and brass buckles. The two zipped side pockets are large enough for water bottles or food, and the front pocket is handy for a bunch of keys, wallet, phone, notebook and map. An adjustable webbing strap connected to a metal frame keeps the carrier’s back cool on a long hike.

See more at melvillandmoon.com.

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A renewed interest in home entertaining has seen drinks cabinets and trolleys become sought-after pieces. Below is a list of 10 favourites.

1. Luna Drinks Cabinet R79 995, Weylandts

2. Rosette Drinks Unit R100 600, Egg Designs

3. Gazelle Cocktail Trolley R14 700, Egg Designs

4. Kelly Capwell Drinks Cabinet R47 000, Joe Paine

5. McSorley’s Wonderful Saloon from R25 000, Douglas & Co.

6. Empire Drinks Trolley R 2 299, @home

7. Eudora Serving Trolley R2 495 Block & Chisel

8. Gatsby Drinks Trolley R 4 999, @home

9. Battista Drinks Trolley R21 534, Kartell at True Design

10. Kappa Drinks Unit R18 995, Weylandts

The post 10 Drinks Cabinets and Trolleys appeared first on Visi.

Douglas & Company has added another winner to its range of contemporary furniture pieces: a drinks trolley to celebrate summer.

We here at VISI HQ are crazy about one of the latest additions to design duo Jan and Liani Douglas of Douglas & Company’s range of products. The fabulously unconventional McSorley’s Wonderful Saloon drinks trolley was launched at 100 % Design South Africa in 2015. It is part of a limited-edition range of fun yet functional pieces that are available in a grey-green and candy-pink palette to celebrate the southern hemisphere summer – although the trolley can be customised to suit a more low-key interior.

The black steel frame holds two inlays, one in American white oak and the other in either marble or granite. Glasses go on the grating at the bottom, and the steel tray holds ice and your favourite tipple. Big wheels make the trolley easy to manoeuvre from the lounge to the pool patio.

Price start from R16 000.

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Bring back the charm and ease of entertaining this season with the classic drinks trolley. Bonus factor: it’ll free up your time by allowing guests to help themselves. Here are 7 cool options for you to consider.

1. Acryluso Executive Trolley from R10 000, Laser Edge

2. Caddy by Gordon Guillaumier for Roda from R28 260, Marlanteak

3. Normann Copenhagen Block Table R3 999.95, Entrepo

4. Salone Drinks Trolley R3 499, Mobelli

5. Massoni Kitchen Trolley by Guzzini (approximately R3122.15, Amazon

6. 2 Tier Drinks Trolley R3 595, Weylandts

7. Glenda Trolley R5 895, Block and Chisel

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