Category Archives: Blog

Shiraz Gin Sour

This cocktail is a variation of the whisky sour.  Rather than using whisky, we have used the multi award winning shiraz gin from Seppeltsfield Road Distillers.   It is the perfect winter cocktail as is contains the wonderfully warm shiraz gin, the tang of the lemon juice and the lovely fluffiness of the egg white Ingredients: […]

Murder on the Cellar Floor Cocktail

This cocktail comes to you courtesy of Seppeltsfield Road Distillers in South Australia.  They created this cocktail using their multi award winning shiraz gin.  It is the perfect winter cocktail as is contains the wonderfully warm shiraz gin and the tang of the grapefruit juice. Ingredients: 50 ml Seppeltsfield Road Shiraz Gin40 ml Yellow Grapefruit […]

Four Popular Gin Cocktails

We enjoyed a fabulous World Gin Day last weekend thanks to Jess at the Gin Palace and all the gin enthusiasts who played along at home. Jess stepped us all through how to make the perfect G&T three ways, a dry martini, two types of Negronis, how to sip gin neat and so much more. […]

Pink Gin

There is no doubt that pink gin is growing in popularity, especially amongst the 20 – 30 somethings crowd.   It wasn’t so long ago that you had to go to a big chain to find a bottle of pink gin, but now every bar and liquor store has their own section of pretty bottles filled […]

Gin & Tonic Tart with Candied Lemon

Wait….you can cook with Gin? Oh yes, you sure can! With its complex flavour, numerous botanicals and versatility, gin makes an excellent baking ingredient – and not just in a G&T when cooking dinner. One of my favourite sweet treats is a lemon tart and this one from the creative team at delicous. is lemony […]

8 Reasons Why Drinking Gin Is Good For You

Gin is many a splendored thing!  Not only is it universally loved but it is also known to be good for you. It’s a win:win! It might surprise some to know that gin has some health benefits – when drunk in moderation, of course. In fact, as early as the Middle Ages gin was used […]

Gin’s Other Half

What couples spring to mind when you think of legendary pairing? There’s Fred & Ginger, Bonnie & Clyde, Bert & Ernie and we can’t forget Brangelina…although that one didn’t end well. Way more legendary and destined to be together forever are the much adored Gin & Tonic. The ultimate beverage IT couple. With every great […]

Cape Byron Rainforest Distillery Tour

Getting back to nature to get to the future of Aussie Gin As soon as the days get shorter and cooler some of us embrace the change of season…think footy and open fires. While others look to the north for warmer weather and the feeling of sand underfoot. So when a girl’s weekend in Byron […]

International Cocktail Day 2021

To celebrate World Cocktail Day, our great mate Phillip Jones aka the Martini Whisperer is taking over the Gintoncia page to give us the 101 on cocktail mixers….and we aren’t taking tonic or soda. The unsung heroes of any cocktail are the actual vessels used to make them. The very notion of a ‘cocktail’ seems […]

Must-have Gin Gifts for 2020

Blog Must Have Gin Gifts For 2019

We’ve rounded up some of the best books, garnishes, glasses, and, of course, our favourite gin tasting packs that are sure to make your gin lovers wish list this season. If you know they’re a fan of gin, these ‘ginnny’ gift ideas will be a winner. 1) Australian Martini Cocktail Pack An ideal gift for […]

Pink Ginberry

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For the Raspberry Simple Syrup 1 cup raspberries 1 cup water 1 cup sugar For the Cocktail 50ml Pink Gin, preferably a Sloe Gin Prosecco 40mls raspberry simple syrup How to…. Place simple syrup ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Lower heat and let simmer for 10-15 minutes, […]

A Rose Pink Gin Sour

Rose Pink Gin Sour

50ml Pink Gin 15mls elderflower liqueur Dash rose water 10mls lemon juice 10mls lime juice 15ml simple sugar syrup 1 egg white How to…. Mix ingredients in shaker. Dry shake profusely. Add a few ice cubes and shake some more. Strain into coupe and garnish with a dried or fresh strawberries

Speakeasies in Sydney

Blog Speakeasies In Sydney09

Grandma’s Bar 275 Clarence Street CBD. Under the guitar sign, in the basement. The mounted moose head above the stairs is a great intro to this eclectic bar. With mixed furniture, washed out brick walls, tropical wallpaper, and a wide variety of framed pictures add personality to the small bar.  Grandma’s Bar has a full […]

Junipalooza 2019 – London

Blog Gintonica Junipalooza01

My trip to Junipalooza in London this year was a ginuine assault on my palate, so much so I am even considering dry July (except for Friday). My personal stand out was Dorset’s Pothecary Thai Blend Gin (46% ABV). It wasn’t just the mango, coconut and pineapple, or the tilia flowers and turmeric, or the […]

Cannabis Gin. Red Bull or Red Herring?

Blog Cannabis Gin Red Bull Or Red Herring

Can cannabis gin give you wings? What about chocolate cravings? The answer (sadly) is no. CANNABIS…. what exactly is it? Is it marijuana? The answer is yes and no. The sister hemp is also a strain of the flowering plant Cannabis sativa, however one major difference is that hemp hasn’t enough THC – the psychoactive compound in marijuana […]

It Started with a Beer

Blog Where It All Began

Where did the Australian Craft Gin movement come from?  The booming Craft Gin market over the last five years started with the Australian Craft Whisky movement of the 1990’s and 2000’s. There are now over 80 Craft Gin Distilleries in Australia and it seems like a new couple each month.

What Gin is that? Part 1

Blog What Gin Is That

There are London Dry Gins, Australian Botanical Gins, Old Tom Gins and so many more. But “a Gin by any other name will taste…..like Gin”. Right? Wrong!
Gin could simply be described as vodka with plant flavours (botanicals) added, which must include juniper characteristics.

What Gin is that? Part 2

Blog What Gin Is That 2 01

As mentioned, some Australian Craft Gins have London Dry Gin taste profiles. Those Gins mostly have the classic botanicals and they lead with strong juniper.  The Australian Craft Gin distillers who are producing London Dry Gin taste profiles might call their gins “Classic Dry”, or just “Dry” and they might have a native botanical or two, but what do we call them? Honestly, I have no idea.