Gin is a classic summer clear spirit favourite for its light, refreshing herbal flavours. It’s the perfect base for many summer cocktails. When you are mixing your favourite cocktails this summer give a thought to the other benefits gin provides.
Australian Gin Revolution
The popularity of Australian gins has increased sharply both at home and abroad in the past few years. Australia’s clean water and environment are perfect for gin making and our distillers are picking up plenty of prestigious international awards.
Australia also has the benefit of many native ingredients that go in to make the perfect gin. Gin makers are using Australian nuts, berries, herbs, spices, vegetables and fruits for unique blends. There’s a mix of traditional and new ingredients being used including Tasmanian mountain pepper, wattle seed, macadamia nuts, passion berries, quandong, Lilly pilly and blood lime to name just a few. The amazing range of native botanicals and conditions have given rise to the craft gin industry in Australia. It’s little wonder gin is growing in popularity with the 20-30- year-old market enjoying the modern flavours of this time-honoured spirit.
Australian local distillers supplying the growing market of discerning gin drinkers include:
More Reasons to Drink Gin this Summer
Natural Ingredients
Gin is made from a range of natural ingredients and can include main berry, juniper, gin can include coriander, sage, cassia, nutmeg, rosemary, and angelica root. Juniper berries are known to fight fight infection and are used to treat bad coughs and lung infections. People also eat juniper berries for their ability to regenerate cells, great for smooth skin.
Health Benefits
Alcohol often gets a bad rap when it comes to health but there are some alcoholic drinks that can improve health when consumed in moderation. The natural ingredients in gin have some worthwhile health benefits. The bitter herbs contained in gin boost enzymes and stomach acid to aid in digestion. Gin has a high antioxidant levels which ‘neutralise free radicals’ in the body. It’s these free radicals that are the start of some cancers. The diuretic ingredients in gin helps remove bad bacteria from the body and fight kidney and liver disease. It is thought that gin soaked raisins can help arthritis sufferers by reducing inflammation at night.
Good for the Diet
Gin has one of the least calories per serve of any alcoholic drink. A glass of gin (80 proof) and tonic has around 65 calories compared to a glass of red or white wine which can have anywhere between 75 and 120 calories depending on their sweetness. A glass of sparkling wine has 100 calories. Use low calorie mixers and you have a diet-friendly drink that won’t make you feel guilty when you pour yourself a second one.
Gin Recipes
There is plenty of inspiration for exciting gin recipes. Why not invite a few friends over this weekend and try these recipes:
Gimlet
- 60ml gin
- 15ml lime juice
- 10ml sugar syrup
- Twist of lime zest to garnish
Pour the gin, juice and sugar syrup into a tumbler half-filled with ice. Stir gently. Garnish with the lime zest.
Apricot Passion Cocktail
- 30ml gin
- 30 ml apricot juice
- 30ml passionfruit juice drink
- 10ml lime juice
Pour the gin over the apricot and passionfruit juices with a little crushed ice and stir well. Add the lime juice, more crushed ice and serve.
Tarragon Gin Cocktail
- 50ml gin
- 15ml tarragon syrup (see method)
- 25ml fresh lime juice
- Lime slice to garnish
Make tarragon syrup by heating a small cup each of water, white sugar and fresh tarragon leaves and stir until the sugar dissolves. Before boiling take off the heat and allow to steep for 5-10mins. Strain off the tarragon leaves and refrigerate syrup to cool before using. Pour the gin, tarragon syrup and lime juice into a tumbler with ice, stir and serve garnished with a thin slice of lime.
Choose from our Gin Selection
Copper and Oak has a wide range of Australian and overseas gins to choose from. Here are a few you should try or choose from our full gin selection.
Loch Gin Liqueur - A UK style brewery and distillery in the heart of the South Gippsland in Victoria, Loch uses Australian botanicals to create specialty gins designed to drink neat or mix. The botanicals are stone ground for a unique fragrance and the gin is distilled in hand beaten Alembic copper pot stills.
West Winds - Made in WA from Margaret River water the hand-crafted gins also use the perfect blend of natural ingredients. The small batches are world-class using the freshest ingredients including spices, botanicals and the Australian bush tomato.
McHenrys Barrel Aged – Located on the Tasman peninsular, the McHenry Distillery is Australia’s southern-most whisky distillery. The property also has its own abundant pure spring water. The moist environment is an ideal condition for maturing spirits in wooden barrels for a different finish on the gin.
Blind Tiger Organic Gin - offers an exotic blend of juniper berries, coriander, angelica root and summer savoury. This London Dry Gin is a perfect mixer with Tonic or Soda and is an ideal base for one of the hugely popular gin based cocktails!
Stone Pine Orange Blossom – A limited yearly release that was Copper & Oak’s gin pick for summer & Christmas. The distiller forages in Narromine to create a zesty trifecta of citrus flavours. The individually numbered bottles can give you a feeling of being in a Spring orange grove. Try on ice or with a splash of tonic and a slice of orange.
Antipodes – Organic Gin - Australia's first certified organic gin. Refined with pure Australian rainwater, the gin is triple distilled with native and traditional botanicals.
If you have any queries about the ideal gin, don’t hesitate to ask in-store or contact us online.
