The Kitchen Garden flourishes, providing fresh flavours for Babel and the Greenhouse Restaurant. Anticipation builds for the almond orchards set to be harvested later in the month.
Don’t miss the chance to embrace the laid-back vibe of summer with bitterlekker, Babylonstoren's non-alcoholic aperitif, capturing the essence of the farm (and summer) for a bitterlekker hour. Here's to a bitterlekker start – cheers to the joys of summer!
Bitterlekker hour this January!
It’s bitterlekker month on the farm and Babylonstoren is sharing their summer drink of choice from a pop-up tasting stand in the garden. Look out for their pop-up under the oaks by the Farm Shop or stay for the bitterlekker hour in the garden from 16h00 onwards… Bitterlekker is a sophisticated and slightly bitter-tasting non-alcoholic aperitif that wakes the palate.
Made from Babylonstoren blood oranges, a hint of rosemary and honeybush tea it’s thirst-quenching and just plain delicious – lekker! It’s the preferred drink for a bitterlekker hour – whether you're unwinding after a game of padel or tennis, seeking refreshment post-ocean swim or enjoying a leisurely game of chess.
January offer: Buy three bitterlekker six-packs on the farm or online at shop.babylonstoren.com and receive a fourth free. Free delivery, always!
Of farm life and fynbos: 2 New cottages at Babylonstoren
Adventure-loving travellers will be glad to hear that Babylonstoren just unveiled two new Fynbos Cottages. The cottages are perched at the top of the farm, surrounded by fynbos, and are ideal for families and friends. The new cottages have two and three bedrooms, respectively. The latter's third bedroom is a self-contained suite with a separate entrance – the ideal nest for the grandparents, an older teen, or an au pair travelling with larger families with youngsters.
Book your stay
Discover the secret life of bees
As the South African summer peaks, the Babylonstoren garden is host to a lively symphony of buzzing honeybees. Their dance among the vibrant blooms of nymphaea lilies, carob, vygies, lavender and eucalyptus trees transforms the garden into a nectar-filled oasis.
These honeybees are more than just their delightful buzz – they hold VIP status as essential garden companions, orchestrating the vital dance that ensures the abundance of fruits, vegetables and seeds in the Babylonstoren garden.
Discover these fascinating creatures by booking a spot in the upcoming bee workshop on January 17 or join the Special Collections tour at 11:30 every weekday – Wednesdays are all about bees.
Nuts about almonds at Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren’s beautiful almond orchards are an annual highlight on the farm. As January unfolds, the anticipation of a bountiful almond harvest fills the air.
They cultivate three varieties – Nonpareil, French for “without equal” or "incomparable" – is the main cultivar grown on the farm and prized for their soft shells, naturally sweet and buttery taste, and incomparable versatility. Alongside them, Babylonstoren also grows the Peerless and Ferragnes almond tree varieties. Be sure to visit the Lekker Room during this time of year – an enticing space filled with diverse almond flavours, where they are expertly roasted and presented in a variety of tempting ways.
Ice, ice, baby
Beat the heat when you visit the farm this summer and sip on a cup of iced coffee from the Coffee Roastery next to the Farm Shop. Made with Babylonstoren’s own farm blend and your choice of jersey or almond milk, it is the most refreshing way to get your caffeine kick.
Bountiful fresh flavours
Babylonstoren’s Kitchen Garden flourishes in summer, creating a smorgasbord of fresh flavour for their farm-to-fork restaurants. Bunches and bunches of summer herbs like basil, oregano, thyme and sage, as well as basketfuls of courgettes, pattypans, aubergines and peppers are picked daily for Babel and Greenhouse Restaurants and Farm Shops.
Book a spot at Babel Restaurant.
January farm workshops
- 17 January – Discover the secret life of bees
- 24 January – Indoor gardening: bringing succulents into your home
- 25 January – Pasta and almond pesto from scratch
- 31 January – Learn how to make sun prints