Saturday 14 June marks World Gin Day. We took the opportunity to speak to the owners of two outstanding distilleries in our region, Old Salt and Tara, about how to enjoy a gin this winter.
The inaugural World Gin Day was poured into existence by gin enthusiast Neil Houston in 2009 in Birmingham. However, the celebration as we know it today is the work of Emma Stokes, aka GinMonkey and the author of The Periodic Table of Cocktails.
Michelle Robinson, one part of the dynamic duo that owns Old Salt Distillery in South Nowra, takes the simple gin & tonic to a new level with their house-made tonic water. This product is so delicious on its own that many people drink it without the gin!
By having ultimate control of the recipe, it is the perfect accompaniment to their carefully crafted gins. ‘The Tonic’ is a citrus forward but low bitterness contemporary style of tonic, light and delicate in nature allowing a gin to shine.
Michelle suggests trying the Citrus Gin & Tonic premix cans they have carefully blended with the right mix to make it an easy pour-and-serve drink. For those who like to mix their own, pick up a can of ‘The Tonic’ and pour around 120mls with 30mls of Old Salt Navy Strength Gin, garnished with a fresh cucumber slice that balances the bold and bright botanical profile.
To garnish or not to garnish?
When you speak to most gin distillers, they will have the answer of what, if anything, will be the perfect way to serve and enhance your simple gin & tonic. Whether visiting the distillery ‘cellar door’ or meeting the maker at a local area market, your distiller will always be happy to talk about how to serve and the best way to enhance the flavour of your gin.
Ben Stephenson from Tara Distillery in Nowra Hill is constantly experimenting with his gins and different seasonal cocktails using exciting and complementary ingredients to give sheer enjoyment of a gin cocktail that you can prepare at home.
When we asked Ben for a cocktail for World Gin Day, he jumped at the opportunity to show ‘The Parisian’, which he describes as ‘a gorgeous Winter tipple perfect for those lengthening nights’.
The Parisian Cocktail
60ml Tara Pot Still Gin
30ml Dry Vermouth
25ml Crème de Cassis (blackcurrant liqueur)
Lemon peel
Rosemary
Lime
Method: Fill a mixing glass with ice, add Tara Pot Still Gin, dry vermouth and crème de cassis and stir with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until well chilled. Strain into a chilled Nora glass, then express the oils from a lemon peel (and discard) and garnish with fresh rosemary and dried lime wheel.
Whichever way you enjoy your gin on World Gin Day this year, or on any other occasion, consider the amazing distilleries of the Shoalhaven, supporting local artisans who are bringing passion, skill and craft to their products. Read our feature stories on Old Salt Distillery and Tara Distillery to find out more from behind the scenes.
