A new experience is coming to Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival Durban
This year, for the first time in Durban, the Pick n Pay Liquor Mixology Theatre, presented by Diageo, invites you to step beyond the tasting stands and discover what happens when exceptional spirits, wine and unexpected flavours meet the art of cocktail making.
Located within the Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival at Sugar Rush Park, Ballito on Saturday, 3 October, the Mixology Theatre is a dedicated cocktail experience designed for guests who want to taste, discover and learn something a little different.
So, what exactly is the Mixology Theatre?
Think of it as a cocktail tasting experience rather than simply a cocktail bar.
Under the guidance of an expert mixologist, you learn to make two cocktails within a 45-minute session, each created around a featured premium spirit and wine producer.
This is where you get to unleash your inner mixologist, shake, stir and sip your own creations in a fun and interactive setting.
Four sessions. Eight cocktails. Plenty to discover.
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SESSION 1: RICH × REFRESHINGHazelnut Old Fashioned A rich, spirit-forward cocktail with hazelnut and vanilla notes, paired with the bright fruit character of a strawberry-led Paloma. Strawberry Paloma Fruit, citrus and sparkle provide a refreshing counterpoint to the depth of the Old Fashioned. |
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SESSION 2: SPICE × FRUITSpicy Margarita Tequila, lime, coriander and hot honey bring spice and freshness. Fun In The City Blueberry, cranberry, sage and citrus take the experience in a softer, fruit-forward direction. |
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SESSION 3: WARM × BRIGHTMidlands Old Fashioned A warm, aromatic cocktail built around spiced Pinotage, cinnamon, orange and bitters. Bell Pepper Margarita Citrus, bell pepper, lime and a touch of savoury creaminess provide a striking contrast. |
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SESSION 4: SWEET × BOTANICALMalva Sour Apricot, vanilla, lemon and Cabernet Sauvignon come together in a cocktail inspired by a distinctly South African flavour. Old Botanist Ginger, lavender, honey and lemon create an aromatic, botanical finish. |
Why try the Mixology Theatre?
Get ready to discover:
- Premium spirits
Discover cocktails created around brands including Johnnie Walker, Singleton, Don Julio, Casamigos, Astral and Smirnoff. - Wine beyond the tasting glass
The Mixology Theatre sees wine incorporated into the cocktail recipes in surprising and delightful ways! - Unexpected flavour combinations
Bell pepper filled with cream cheese. Lavender. Ginger. Hot honey. Hazelnut. Apricot. Sage. These aren’t necessarily the flavours you’d expect to find together in a cocktail, and that’s precisely the point. - A more intimate experience
The Mixology Theatre is limited to 40 guests per session, meaning you will be among a small number of lucky guests who get to enjoy this experience.
Your festival ticket gets you in. The Mixology Theatre is an additional booking.
Your Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival ticket gives you access to the festival itself.
The Mixology Theatre is an optional R150 add-on per person per session, allowing you to choose whether you’d like to take your festival experience a little further.
You can book one session, or explore more than one. And they sell out fast, so make sure you book your spot at the bar counter.
Whether you’re already a cocktail enthusiast or curious about what happens when wine, premium spirits and inventive ingredients meet, this is your opportunity to experience something new at the Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival Durban.
Four sessions. Eight cocktails. Forty guests per session.
Pick n Pay Mixology Theatre, presented by Diageo
📍 Sugar Rush Park, Ballito
📅 Saturday, 3 October 2026
🎟️ R150 per session, over and above your festival ticket
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR MIXOLOGY THEATRE SESSION
WANT TO KNOW MORE? HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM CAPE TOWN AND JOZI
