Popular Australian gin cocktails for various occasions

By Evelyn V. Falk 11 months ago

Australians have always had an affinity for gin and tonic. Now that Australian distillers are producing some of the finest gins in the world, they’ve started experimenting with new and exciting ways to enjoy their favourite spirit. Here are five Australian gin cocktail recipes that you can use to explore its varieties.

Gin and tonic

The gin and tonic is a classic cocktail and one of the best ways to introduce someone to gin. Gin has many different flavours that can be made more intense or mild depending on how much water you add, so this drink allows you to showcase those flavours while still keeping it simple enough for anyone to enjoy.

Gin and tonic are also great to drink for warm weather because it’s refreshing but not too heavy. It’s easy to switch up your usual summertime drink routine if you find yourself stuck at home all day long in 100-degree heat. This cocktail also makes for an excellent brunch choice. If you have guests coming over unexpectedly, just ensure you have everything laid out beforehand so they can serve themselves.

Gin sour

This is a classic cocktail and for a good reason. It’s simple to make and tastes great. It’s one of the best drinks on hot days, and there are plenty of those in Australia. This recipe makes enough for two servings. Feel free to double the ingredients if you have an incredibly thirsty crowd.

1 part gin (Manly Spirits)

2 parts fresh lemon juice

2 parts simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water)

A few dashes of Angostura bitters

Ice cubes

Mix the first four ingredients in a shaker with ice cubes, then strain into glasses filled with ice cubes (this will help cool down the drink). Top each glass off with an extra dash or two of bitters.

Negroni

This one is an Italian cocktail and is ideal for temperate climates.

  • 1 part gin
  • 1 part sweet vermouth
  • 1 part Campari
  • orange peel garnish

This unusual mix will catch anyone’s attention when they see it; once they taste it, they’ll want another round immediately!

French 75 or Tom Collins

Like all other cocktails, the French 75 and Tom Collins are trendy gin drinks that are easy to make. You can prepare one of these two drinks with just a few ingredients and steps for yourself or your guests.

A traditional French 75 is made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup (1:1 ratio), sparkling wine or champagne and ice. For this cocktail recipe, Australian gins are best suited because they have low bitterness levels, complementing this drink’s fresh citrus fruit flavours.

A traditional Tom Collins also uses gin as its base spirit but adds: sugar syrup instead of simple syrup; club soda instead of sparkling wine/champagne; lemon juice instead of lime juice; some mint leaves to garnish along with the ice cubes in the glass; add an orange slice if desired.

Martini or Gibson

The martini is a classic cocktail and is not just for gin. It’s often thought of as the ultimate way to serve any spirit. The martini is made with gin and vermouth, and that’s all you need (though sure, bartenders might like to add bitters).

The martini should be stirred, not shaken. Shaking water into liquid alcohol cools it too quickly and makes the drink cloudy (this is why some people prefer vodka or tequila in their cocktails). You want to keep those liquids separated.

If garnishing your drink with olives or lemon twists isn’t your thing, don’t worry about it. The garnish doesn’t make much difference when sipping your beverage.

Conclusion

We hope we’ve inspired you to try a few cocktails. There is also no shame in ordering an Australian gin and tonic if you don’t feel like making one yourself. It may be simple, but it will always taste delicious when made with the right ingredients.