Nestled in the majestic Riviersonderend (river without end) Mountain Range, about 2 hours drive from Cape Town, at the end of a tar road is a tiny village called Greyton. It is not on any main road, it has no rail links, no mineral wealth, and no farming community – no real reason for it to exist, but it does. Amidst a crazy world, and a divided, often anguished country, Greyton seems to stand still. It might be the enormous oak trees that line the old narrow streets, the (chanelled) water gurgling down the furrows or the white washed thatched houses. It was where Cliff and I would go – for quiet time, to read, to write and long lazy afternoons spent outside on the stoep (veranda) of the quaint and quirky Oak & Vigne Café. Listening to the impeccable music taste of owner Coennie Visser, we would sip Malawi Shandies, served in tall pretty glasses. Malawi Shandy is common throughout Africa, but the addition of passionfruit cordial, makes all the difference. Wherever we find ourselves, where the sun is shining and we make this drink, it transports us back to long summer days in Greyton.
Fill a tall glass with crushed ice.
Pour in an ounce of Roses Passionfruit Cordial (if you can’t find it, use a Passionfruit juice)
Fill half the glass with ginger ale and the other with Sprite
Splash a generous helping of Angostura Bitters on top.
Garnish with a slice of lemon and sip in the sunshine, with good tunes.