Gin-based drinks are some of the best types of cocktails, in our humble opinion. So without further ado, here are four of the best gin cocktails to order at the bar (plus recipes to try at home).
We love a great gin cocktail at The Star, and with World Gin Day and World Martini Day fast approaching we thought it the perfect excuse to reveal our top gin cocktails, courtesy of The Star’s resident mixologist, Behzad Nvaziri.
Behz says the key to mastering any kind of cocktail is to keep it simple, and to use fresh ingredients. Bottled citrus juices or fruit juice will impact the flavour of your cocktails, as the added sugar will change the taste of the drink. Stick with fresh ingredients, such as fresh lemon juice or fresh lime juice, when making gin-based drinks and your tastebuds will be all the happier.
1. Southside
Simple yet oh so satisfying, the Southside cocktail is a delicious concoction of fresh mint and lime shaken with gin. “We use Manly Spirits Distillery gin with marine botanicals and mix it with salted ginger syrup and fresh lime,” says Behzad.
Where to try it: Any of the resort bar venues at The Star Sydney
2. Lychee Sloe Gin Sour
At Garden Kitchen & Bar’s open-air deck bar, the classic sour cocktail gets the tropical Queensland treatment with lychees, smooth sloe gin and fruity garnishes. The pretty pink hue is a winner, too.
How to make a Lychee Sloe Gin Sour
Ingredients
15ml Lychee Monin
45ml Hayman’s Sloe Gin
20ml egg white
20ml fresh lemon juice
Soda water, to top
Method
- Add all ingredients to shaker and dry shake (without ice).
- Add ice to the shaker and ‘wet shake’.
- Double strain through a bar sieve over ice into crystal highball.
- Top with soda, garnish and serve.
Where to try it: Garden Kitchen and Bar at The Star Gold Coast
3. Royale
‘Royales’ are a festive class of cocktails topped with Champagne, the most famous being Kir Royale (a classic French cocktail with the blackcurrant liqueur crème de cassis topped with Champagne).
“We use sloe gin and ginger syrup to make a dry cocktail with spicy notes,” says Behz of his take on the Royale cocktail.
How to make a Royale
Ingredients:
30ml Sloe gin (Behzad uses Elephant Sloe Gin)
15ml ginger syrup (1-part sugar to 1-part ginger tea, made using fresh ginger)
Champagne, to top
Method:
- Build sloe gin and ginger syrup in a Champagne flute.
- Top with Champagne.
Where to try it: Flying Fish and Black Bar & Grill at The Star Sydney
4. The Australian negroni
The negroni is what bartenders drink when they clock off. The classic makes a League-themed appearance at Brisbane’s Will & Flow – featuring a nip of Queensland’s own Brisbane Gin and New South Wales’ Brookies Gin from just south over the border.
How to make the Australian Negroni
Ingredients
15ml Brisbane Dry Gin
15ml Brookies Slow Gin
15ml Campari
10ml Sweet vermouth (Martini Rosso)
Orange bitters
Method
- Add Brisbane Dry and Brookies Slow Gin to a mixing glass, with the Campari and sweet vermouth.
- Add two drops of smoked orange bitters and stir over ice.
- Rim a rocks glass with burnt orange peel, pour negroni over ice and garnish with orange peel twist.
Where to try it: At Will & Flow at Treasury Brisbane.
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