Where do the grown-ups go for something to drink in Cape Town? It’s upper Bree Street, these days, away from the madness of Long Street and its in-your-face bustle.
A new addition is Mother’s Ruin, a gin bar that offers you the opportunity to build your own G&T from a menu of hundreds of gins and various tonics, as well as a small but carefully created collection of cocktails. Mother’s Ruin is a small, homely spot. Sporting a clean, elegant aesthetic, it is comfortable and elegant. The barman, Jason, is acerbically witty and laconic in style, all the while being well versed in the moods of various gins.
in search of the perfect cocktail
Mother's Ruin
bree street, cape town
Where do the grown-ups go for something to drink in Cape Town? It’s upper Bree Street, these days, away from the madness of Long Street and its in-your-face bustle.
A new addition is Mother’s Ruin, a gin bar that offers you the opportunity to build your own G&T from a menu of hundreds of gins and various tonics, as well as a small but carefully created collection of cocktails. Mother’s Ruin is a small, homely spot. Sporting a clean, elegant aesthetic, it is comfortable and elegant. The barman, Jason, is acerbically witty and laconic in style, all the while being well versed in the moods of various gins.
Image: Sean Calitz
Owner Mark Mulholland is a full-on enthusiast and expert on the on-trend
spirit that the world is realising has hidden depths. “I don’t know anything about bars or cocktails, so I just created a space that as a 39-year-old guy I’d like to go and have a drink in,” he says.
He sees his lack of experience as a godsend when it comes to designing the cocktails. “I came without any prejudices or any sense of convention.” Mulholland, however, is far from a fool in these matters. His day job is creating
flavours for some of the biggest names in beverages and food worldwide – from Woolworths to Distell. The result is a brilliant, interesting watering hole for grown ups. Pop in one day after work.
What is your signature cocktail? We have two, the Lawrence of Arabia and the Casino Royale Martini. The strongest drink you’ve ever made? A martini! In our case the strongest would be a Casino Royale made with Plymouth navy-strength gin. It’s pure alcohol!
Your best-selling cocktail? It’s the Kleinslaaitjie by far. A lovely, refreshing
summer drink made with elderflower tonic. Your most popular food? The Spanish charcuterie platter. Barman’s cocktail: 9/10 The Casino Royale is a potent beast with hints of lemon. A fine martini. Barman’s personality: 8/10 Jason’s a great host and will match your nonsense with a vigorous dose of his own.
Image: Sean Calitz
MARCH 2015