Cape Craft Lab
Salt, smoke and fynbos — small-batch African spirits distilled in Muizenberg.
Our story
Cape Craft Lab is a hands-on Muizenberg distillery built on hustle rather than heritage. Founded by Matt, Muneeb and Alex (and supervised by three lab dogs — Levi, Borris and Lincoln), the team works from a hand-drawn copper still they built themselves from the best parts of others. The house spirit is African Dry Gin: nutmeg from Zanzibar, fynbos from the low ground, mountain buchu and African wormwood (artemisia afra), citrus that hits like rain on hot stone, and the salt air of False Bay. It is bottled in UV-resistant glass to protect the botanical oils, and has picked up IWSC, Michelangelo and Gin Guide (Best in Africa) recognition. A Cape vodka and a Cape rum are still in the works. The lab also does bespoke distillation — private batches and brand collaborations shaped with you, not just for you. There is usually coffee. Sometimes smoke.
Gin range
African Dry Gin 500ml
Cape Craft LabFresh and herbaceous — wild rosemary, pepper vine and juniper up front, mountain buchu and artemisia afra on the palate, dry finish with lingering spice and citrus.
African Dry Mini 50ml
Cape Craft LabThe same herbaceous, buchu-led dry gin in miniature.
Taproom, tastings & tours
The lab is open weekdays 11:00–17:00 for tastings and bottle sales, Saturdays by appointment. Book ahead for bespoke distillation chats.
Lab Tasting Voucher
A guided tasting through the African Dry Gin and whatever else is running on the still that week — redeemable at the Muizenberg lab.
Visit the Lab
Weekday drop-ins 11:00–17:00 (Saturdays by appointment). Meet the crew, see the hand-built copper still, and taste straight off the bench. The dogs might greet you first.
Bespoke Distillation
Bring an idea and the team shapes it into a real spirit — private batches, brand collaborations or a gift with meaning, from botanicals through to bottle design.
Food pairing
Recipes matched to the craft gin range from Cape Craft Lab.
Smoked Snoek Pâté with Fynbos & African Dry Gin
A False Bay classic — smoked snoek whipped with cream cheese, lemon and a splash of Cape Craft Lab African Dry Gin, served with toasted sourdough.
Cook it →
Gin-Cured Trout with Buchu Cream
Trout cured overnight in salt, sugar and Cape Craft Lab African Dry Gin, sliced thin and served with a buchu-and-lemon crème fraîche.
Cook it →Eat out in Cape Town
Restaurants listed on Kwai Lekr in the same town as Cape Craft Lab.
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