[imagesource: Pixabay]

It’s getting more and more difficult to focus on work while the sun is shining outside and the weather is perfect for a chilled afternoon on the balcony, drink in hand.

The thing about Cape Town, especially in the summer, is that it’s almost impossible to resist the pull of the sunset. As the sky starts to change in the city, there’s a palpable shift in energy.

That’s partly why every dramatic sunset is followed by thousands of social media posts with #nofilter. They’re that beautiful.

I’ve found that a good way to keep going while we wait for the holidays (or, quite frankly, the weekend) is to plan your drinks ahead of time so that when it’s game on, there’s nothing standing in the way.

The classic G&T is a favourite here for celebrating the end of another day, but if you’re going to take full advantage of every sunset that comes your way, you might want to mix things up a bit.

Cape Town Gin Company wants to take the work out of that endeavour, with a series of summer cocktails that are simple to make while at the same time elevating your craft gin to new levels of deliciousness.

Here are three of our tried and tested favourites:

THE NELLIE

Set in the heart of Cape Town, the Mount Nelson Hotel enjoys the perfect location at the foot of Table Mountain and is fondly known amongst locals as “The Nellie”.

Let’s pay homage to it, shall we?

INGREDIENTS

• 50ml Cape Town Classic Dry Gin
• 3 Blackberries
• 2 Sage leaves
• Sprig of thyme
• 100 ml Tonic water
• Ice

PREPARATION

Pop the blackberries and sage leaves in a big stemless wine glass and muddle to release the flavours. Pour the Cape Town Classic Dry Gin into the glass and fill it with ice.

Top up with Indian tonic water and garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme.

SUNSET SENSATION

If you’re spending your summer in Cape Town, you’ll inevitably find yourself enjoying more than a few sundowners.

It’s the law, here, along with knocking off just after lunchtime on a Friday.

This cocktail pairs perfectly with a sultry evening, watching the sky turn pink and orange.

INGREDIENTS

• 25ml Cape Town Pink Lady Gin
• 5ml Strawberry liqueur
• 15ml Squeezed lime juice
• 3 Strawberries (cut into pieces)
• 2 Fresh basil leaves
• Soda water
• Ice

PREPARATION

Combine the Cape Town Pink Lady Gin and strawberry liqueur in a big wine glass.  Add two basil leaves and the fresh strawberries and stir to release the flavours.

Add ice and top up with soda water. Garnish with a strawberry.

ROOIBOS ROCKS

Rooibos, grown amongst South Africa’s fynbos, has been a local favourite for generations, and the perfect base for a proudly South African, and indeed Capetonian, cocktail.

INGREDIENTS

• 50ml Cape Town Rooibos Red Gin
• 50ml Cranberry juice
• 50ml Spicy ginger beer
• 50ml Soda water
  Ice

PREPARATION

Combine all ingredients in a tall glass packed with ice and stir well. Garnish with a slice of orange and a sprig of fresh mint.

If you’re looking for quality craft mixers to top up your cocktails, Fitch & Leedes has you covered.

For those keen to expand their horizons, you’ll find three more cocktail recipes here.

Look, if you can’t wait until sunset to kick things off, there’s no judgement here.