The round-up: drops of juniper – celebrate World Gin Day with some of the city’s best cocktails
Gin is king. It’s even got its own day on the international calendar. That’s right, this Saturday June 9 is World Gin Day. In honour of one of our favourite spirits, we got the low-down from a bunch of the Gold Coast establishments to see what they were shaking and muddling in the gin department. As delightful as it is, we’ve taken a step beyond the stock-standard gin and tonic to give you a list of some of the city’s best gin-based cocktails for you to sip on.
The Sergeant Tom at Old Tom: Well, it is a dedicated gin bar, so you’re guaranteed to find the full breadth of gin-based concoctions here. The Sergeant Tom is one the faves, with Old Tom’s own gin combined with orange bitters, fennel, tonic syrup and paperbark smoke. Old (mate) Tom is waiting for you.
Sake It To Me at Yamagen: Soak up the downtown-Tokyo vibes while you sip on this deliciously fresh combination, which is served short with Tanqueray gin, sake, lemon, cucumber and dill. If you’re feeling a little fruity, the Utsumi Sour with gin, peach liqueur, aomomo peach and lemon is a good vibe.
Number 2 at Iku Yakitori Bar: Iku sets itself apart from the rest by offering a concise list of seven cocktails, which changes every single week. Given that gin is king, there is always a gin-based element to the weekly line-up – this week it’s the Number 2 with Amaro di Angosutra, Brookie’s Slow Gin (yum), Campari, lime and raspberry orgeat. Yes please.
Brookie’s Aviation at Lockwood Bar: This speakeasy bar is well-known for its refined, fun and flat-out delicious cocktails. The Brookie’s Aviation features Brookie’s Dry Gin, fresh lemon juice, Tempus Fugit liqueur de violette and Luxado Maraschino liqueur, which is passionately shaken over ice, double strained and topped with a maraschino cherry. Bottoms up, gin sippers.
Gin Garden at Etsu Izakaya: Much like its younger sibling Iku, Estu is well known for its vibrant and intriguing spread of cocktails. The Gin Garden is beautifully light with a refreshing mix of Junmai sake, gin, lemon, cucumber, basil and mint. It’s certainly one of those can’t-stop-at-one type of concoctions.
The Georgy M at Bar Hellenika: If you haven’t had the pleasure of sipping cocktails in the sunshine atop Bar Hellenika, then The Georgy M will surely lure you up there. It’s a unique fusion of Tanqueray, Aperol, vanilla, lemon and almond essence. There’s even a hand-painted portrait of George Michael on the wall to really set the scene.
‘Tis Rhubarb at The Collective: This gin-based champagne cocktail is a vibrant treat with sweet vermouth, housemade rhubarb and coriander seed syrup served with a float of champagne sorbet – tastes even better when it’s sipped on the rooftop at sunset.
The Undead Merman at Aloha Bar & Dining: Kick off your gin journey with an unsuspecting kick of sour – this fun tipple sees two gins mixed with maraschino and violette liqueurs, falernum lime and dragon fruit, all served in a tall tiki glass.
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