As the Cape Winelands ease into spring, the concept of lingering over a drink becomes all the more appealing. At Groot Phesantekraal, that feeling has found its way into a cocktail: the Farmhouse Spritz, a fresh, herbaceous take on the classic Italian aperitivo.
Created by mixologist Julian Short, known as The Flavourist, the drink combines the citrusy sweetness of limoncello and lemon syrup with the subtle salinity of olive brine. A generous pour of Groot Phesantekraal Cap Classique Blanc de Blanc brings the sparkle, while mint and soda water keep the finish bright and refreshing.
A spritz with a sense of place
The cocktail takes its inspiration from the relaxed hospitality of Groot Phesantekraal, a Durbanville destination where wine, food, and time spent around the table are central to the experience.
“The Farmhouse Spritz is really about capturing the feeling of being at the farm,” says Short. “It’s fresh and playful, but the olive brine gives it a savoury character that makes you want to have another sip.”
The foundation is the estate’s Cap Classique Blanc de Blanc, made from Chardonnay. Its sparkling character adds freshness and finesse, complementing the lemon’s acidity and the limoncello’s rounded citrus flavour. Meanwhile, the olive brine introduces a restrained savoury edge that gives the cocktail its unique personality.
Served over cubed ice in a highball glass, the Farmhouse Spritz is finished with a sprig of mint and a few olives. It is an uncomplicated serve, but one that feels considered – equally suited to a garden lunch, a late-afternoon gathering, or a quiet drink before dinner.
The secret is in the syrup
The lemon syrup is where the cocktail’s citrus character begins. Instead of relying on a standard sweetener, thinly sliced lemons are infused overnight with sugar, citric acid, tartaric acid, and a touch of salt. The mixture is then combined with hot water and strained, creating a syrup with a balance of sweetness, acidity, and brightness.
It is a small preparation that rewards a little foresight. Make it the day before, and the spritz comes together quickly when guests arrive.
The Farmhouse Spritz
Herbaceous | Minty | Sparkling | Savoury
Serves: 1
Ingredients
- 20 ml limoncello
- 20 ml lemon syrup
- 10 ml olive brine
- 30 ml soda water
- 60 ml Groot Phesantekraal Cap Classique Blanc de Blanc
- Cubed ice
- Mint sprig and olives, to garnish
Method
- Fill a highball glass with cubed ice.
- Add the limoncello, lemon syrup and olive brine.
- Stir lightly to combine.
- Top with the Cap Classique and soda water.
- Give the drink one final gentle stir, then garnish with a sprig of mint and olives.
Serve immediately, while the bubbles are lively and the drink is well chilled.
For the lemon syrup
Makes: Approximately 500 – 600 ml, depending on straining and yield
Ingredients
- 600 g lemons, thinly sliced and pips removed
- 300 g white sugar
- 10 g citric acid
- 4 g tartaric acid
- 5 g fine salt
- 300 g hot water
Method
- Combine the sliced lemons, sugar, citric acid, tartaric acid and salt in a bowl.
- Cover and leave to infuse overnight.
- The following day, add the hot water and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
- Fine strain the mixture into a clean bottle.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
The syrup can be prepared ahead of time, making it easy to mix a round of spritzes without much interruption to the afternoon.
A little sparkle for spring
The Farmhouse Spritz is a reminder that a good seasonal drink doesn’t need to be complicated. A few well-balanced ingredients, a chilled glass, and something to nibble on are enough to set the tone for a leisurely gathering.
Pair it with salty snacks, olives, fresh salads, or a spread of seasonal produce, and let the drink’s citrus and savoury notes complement the food. The Cap Classique Blanc de Blanc is also perfectly suited to being enjoyed on its own, chilled and shared around the table.
As the warmer days return to the Cape, this is a recipe worth keeping close: bright enough for spring, distinctive enough to spark conversation, and easy to make when the occasion calls for something celebratory.
