Your Guide to Becoming a Gin Expert
Jun 01, 2023
World Gin Day is coming up on Saturday 10th June, so it’s time to celebrate one of the world's most delicious spirits, the juniper-infused elixir that has captured the hearts (and livers) of many a connoisseur. To help you get prepared for World Gin Day we’ve made a spirited guide to becoming a gin aficionado (and impressing your friends in the process) with some info about gin, gin cocktail recipes and even some fab venues if you feel like leaving the art to the professionals and enjoying a gin cocktail this weekend instead.
How is gin made?
Gin is a distilled fermented grain, juniper, along with various botanicals and voila. Unlike whisky or wine, which rely on their earth for flavouring, gin’s unique touch comes from the combinations of botanicals. This could explain why you won’t find any “ginyards,” rather pickers foraging for the 60 different types of juniper berries in the wild.
Perfecting the gin and tonic classic
Of course the most classic gin drink is a G&T. The key to perfecting a good gin and tonic is a generous amount of ice and the perfect garnish. Most gins have a citrus botanical (the ingredients that flavour the gin). You can use one of these as a garnish to enhance the flavour. For most gins, a slice of lemon for garnish is the go-to (e.g. for a Bombay Sapphire, Tanqueray or Gordons). But it’s great to match the garnish to the gin where you can, for example a Hendricks should always be with a slice of cucumber, and flavoured gins such as grapefruit gins, would ideally be with a slice of grapefruit, but again, when in doubt, a slice of lemon is a pretty safe bet.
The Staple Gin Cocktails
Tom Collins
A Tommy Collins is a classic gin cocktail for those that want to keep the gin flavour without going the G&T route, it’s refreshing and bubbly, loaded with ice in a highball glass.
- 60mL Tanqueray gin
- 30mL lemon juice (or ½ a lemon juiced)
- 15mL sugar syrup
- Topped with soda water
- Garnish: A slice of lemon and a maraschino cherry
Shake the gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup with ice in a cocktail shaker. Single strain into a tall glass with ice cubes. Top with soda water and garnish!
Negroni
Now although it sounds cool, these negroni’s
won’t be sbagliato with prosecco in it. They’ll just the the OG Italian negroni with;
- 25mL Tanqueray gin
- 25mL sweet vermouth
- 25mL campari
- Ice
- Garnish: Slice of orange
Pour the gin, vermouth and campari into a mixing glass or jug with ice. Stir well until the outside of the glass feels cold. Single strain into a short glass with ice (preferably one big ice cube if you’ve got them) and add an orange slice to garnish.
Charlie Chaplin
Named for the legendary comic actor, the Charlie Chaplin is sweet, sour and a star in its own righ
t. The Charlie Chaplin is an old-timey cocktail with a beautiful ruby-red colour, thanks to the use of sloe gin, and a rich, slightly syrupy texture that is complemented by the tartness of lime.
Let’s pause for a sec to note what sloe gin is.
More commonly thought of as a liqueur rather than a gin due to its sweetness, Sloe Gin is made from ripe sloe drupes which are a small fruit closely related to the plum. The sloe berries are added to wide necked jars with sugar and gin, and left to soak, being turned regularly for about 3 months.
- 30mL Sloe Gin
- 30mL Apricot Brandy
- 30mL Lime Juice
- Ice
- Garnish: Lime peel or dried lime slice
Add the lime juice, apricot brandy, sloe gin and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake, then strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lime peel and enjoy!
Elderflower Spritz
Fancy a floral twist on a Spritz? Why not take the Elderflower Gin Spritz for a twirl. Its easy peasy, grapefruit squeezy. 
- 30mL Tanqueray gin
- 10mL elderflower cordial
- 30mL prosecco
- 30mL tonic water
- Garnish: A slice of grapefruit or lime, or a sprig of rosemary
Fill a wine glass with ice. Pour over 30mL of gin and 10mL Elderflower Cordial. Top glass up with 30mL each of Tonic Water and Prosecco. Stir and garnish with a wedge of Pink grapefruit, or even a sprig of rosemary if you’ve got some!
Don’t want to be your own bartender this weekend and rather have a professional make one for you? Here’s a few venues you can visit for a gin cocktail this weekend!
Melbourne:
Where better to get a cocktail for world gin day than Trinket, If you’re after adventure in true Melbourne style, step through the wardrobe to discover the hidden cellar bar, where you will be invited to settle in and appreciate a well-mixed drink or two. Check out our favourite below:
Prima Ballerina: Raspberry infused Gin, pineapple shrub, lemon, rhubarb bitters A sweet treat for the princess in all of us!
Bitter Pearl: Gin, Poor Toms Imbroglio, Lychee Liqueur, Apple, Lemon, Peychauds Bitters
Early doors or late night rendezvous, book your table now.
Sydney:
Forrester’s in Surry Hills is a big lover of gin cocktails, with two delicious gin cocktails on their menu and is a huge hit with the locals!
Pineapple Milk Punch: Tanqueray Gin, Regal Rogue ‘Lively White’ Vermouth, pineapple, ginger, citrus, mint, whole milk (clarified using whole milk)
Bloody Rhubarb Sour: Shiraz Gin, poached rhubarb, lemon, aquafaba, Sometimes Always Prosecco, Peychaud’s Bitter.
View their full cocktail menu here.
Brisbane:
Experience the completely reinvigorated Riverbar and Kitchen with a new fit out, a more modern concept and brand new menus. It's the perfect place to sit by the waterfront and soak up the Brisbane lifestyle and some of their favourite gin infused cocktails!
Wham, Bam, Jam: Bombay Bramble Gin, strawberry jam, rose, shiraz float
Book a table with a view here.
Auckland:
Check out Dr Rudi’s bar, located on the 2nd level of Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour. The rooftop spot offers one of the most spectacular views in the world for brewing, drinking, eating and socialising. Indulge in their gin favourite the JamSesh with Gin, raspberry Liqueur, strawberry, cranberry and lemon.
Book a table for you and your mates here.
Want to start showing off your bartender skills? See here for venues hiring near you now that you can apply for!
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