‘South Africans are quite naive when it comes to spirits,’ says Virgil, our bartender. It’s a sunny Saturday afternoon, windy everywhere in Cape Town apart from Bantry Bay, which is why we’ve come to Salt Vodka Bar on Victoria Road. Sheltered from the southeaster with views of the blue Atlantic, and a plush balcony from which to enjoy them, Salt should be on everyone’s summer to-do list.
The vodka bar and the deli below are on the opposite side of the road to their bigger sister, Salt Restaurant at the Ambassador Hotel. The deli has become a popular breakfast spot, but today we’re interested in something a little stronger than coffee and a full English, and upstairs Salt has 30 local and international premium vodkas on offer.
‘People only think of vodka as something you mix with Coke or Red Bull,’ continues Virgil. ‘But vodka is like whisky – there are your cheaper bottles for mixing, and then there are premium brands, which can be sipped straight up or over ice.’
So we sip. Over the next hour we try Ftv vodka, Pravda, Skyy and Ciroc (‘French, and the best, in my opinion,’ says Virgil), and then compare two citrus-flavoured vodkas, Absolut and another Skyy. The clear winner is, as Virgil predicted, the Ciroc. There’s no kick in the back of your throat, it just sits very roundly on the palate and then goes down smooth. Of the two flavoured varieties, the Absolut is far more subtle but a lot easier to sip than the Skyy. Special mention must go to Pravda for its vanilla aroma but clean taste.
Another handy need-to-know we gleaned from Virgil was that, despite the fact most people stash their vodka in the freezer, this spirit should actually be drunk at room temperature (as should tequila, believe it or not). It’s at this temperature that the real flavour and bouquet of the vodka is released, which is what you want – provided, of course, you’re drinking a decent brand.
Aside from vodka, Salt’s appeal lies in its walk-in Champagne fridge – real Champagne, as well as local sparkling wines, many of which are available by the glass. The warmth of its wooden shelves makes a nice contrast to its chilly temperature, and nothing says luxury more than being surrounded by bottles of Dom, Taittinger and Lallier. I choose a glass of the Lallier Blanc de Blanc (the boys stick with mojitos) and we retire to the balcony. The bubbly is divine, very subtle and sophisticated – the perfect tipple with which to toast the good life.
SALT VODKA BAR AND DELI
29 Victoria Road, Bantry Bay
021 439 3354
