What is your signature cocktail? Although the Zimbali Trophy cocktail is featured in Fairmont cocktail menus worldwide, my signature creation is the Reposado Temple. It has Don Julio tequila, lemon juice, sugar syrup, lime cordial and egg white, garnished with orange zest. Perhaps the bar’s most innovative cocktail, however, created by my colleague Patrick, is the “G”, made in conjunction with the bar’s high-fashion afternoon tea, and containing Rooibos Mocca tea.
in search of the perfect cocktail
31 Degrees
Fairmont, Zimbali Resort
The Fairmont Zimbali Resort’s main bar, 31 Degrees, is run by a team of friendly professionals who are dedicated to perfecting their craft, and take the art of the cocktail very seriously. The bar looks out on an impressive pool and over the ocean beyond.
Barman Meluleki Dube says: “I went to hospitality school in Cape Town before starting my career at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel. After two years I moved to the UAE.” Having found his passion for handcrafted drinks early and developed it overseas, he then came home as part of the opening team of the luxury resort group’s only South African property.
What is your signature cocktail? Although the Zimbali Trophy cocktail is featured in Fairmont cocktail menus worldwide, my signature creation is the Reposado Temple. It has Don Julio tequila, lemon juice, sugar syrup, lime cordial and egg white, garnished with orange zest. Perhaps the bar’s most innovative cocktail, however, created by my colleague Patrick, is the “G”, made in conjunction with the bar’s high-fashion afternoon tea, and containing Rooibos Mocca tea.
The most famous person you’ve ever served? I served David Beckham – my hero – at the Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan in the UAE. Strongest drink you’ve ever made? The Negroni – an aperitif made of one part gin, one part Campari and one part vermouth rosso, garnished with orange zest. Best-selling beverage? The Zimbali Trophy cocktail, an extraordinary blend of crisp white wine, fresh citrus and herbs. Most popular food? The charcuterie or cheese towers.
Barman’s cocktail: 10/10 While I initially had my suspicions regarding a cocktail that combined cold tea and egg white, it resulted in one of the best beverages I have ever had, and I can’t wait to go back for more. Also impressive was the way that Dube and the team show their passion for the art of developing and making cocktails, paying attention to detail and developing innovation that clearly pays off in the end result.
Barman’s personality: 10/10 Dube’s ready smiles, extra care and slick professionalism, as well as the degree to which the barmen at 31 Degrees work as a team, makes anything less than a 10 impossible.
Fairmont Zimbali Resort, 5 Corkwood Drive, Zimbali Coastal Estate, Ballito
032 538 5000.
fairmont.com