Do you enjoy a shot of gin, gin and juice, or gin vodka? The first Australian gin produced in a dedicated distillery was known as Kangaroo Island Spirits (KIS). Its key ingredients include juniper berries as well as some local ingredients. Today’s Aussie gin is part of a global market estimated in 2021 at over AUD6.6 billion. Here are some popular tips and tricks to select and use spirits for your gin drinks:
Tips for Drinking Australian Gin
#1 Mixed Drinks
There are several options, like gin & Coke, gin & juice, and gin & tonic. When creating these mixtures, it’s important to remember some tips to make the drinks better. They include chilling the tonic water since the beverage will be less sweet and fizzier. Both of these elements are critical when creating a gin tonic drink.
It’s also essential to mix the best gin for particular tonics. For example, specific gins might be better for options like rosemary tonic. Another example is a dry gin, which pairs better with specific tonics.
In fact, you could even swap out tonic completely and swap in other options like soda water, citrus sodas, and soda. As with other mixes, you do some experimenting to find the best blend.
#2 Neat Gin
If you want to sip gin without chilling and extra ingredients, then a “neat gin” is an option to consider. It’s somewhat like a shot of gin, except a big difference is the glass is about 2 ounces. Thus, it’s better designed for sipping instead of taking shots.
Gin experts explain that many of Australia’s gins today are actually designed to be drunk neat. They include:
- Apple
- Lemon
- Plum
- Macadamia
- Applewood
This allows you to select from different gins, including those with floral or citrus notes. It’s especially the case when selecting barrel-aged gins, which have become more popular in recent years.
#3 Cocktails
There are different options, although a classic martini is easily one of the most popular options. You can use mixology to combine Australian-produced gin with a wide array of different ingredients.
In fact, experts recommend gin drinkers try different varieties until they find “their” gin. The best option is to try different gins in a martini or neutral drink so you can highlight the botanicals and learn which variety is your all-time favourite.
In fact, it could be argued that gin is naturally ideal for cocktails. The reason is it helps to boost the alcoholic beverage and take it to the next level. Different gin varieties can adjust the flavour to provide a slightly different taste.
#4 Mix and Match
When making gin cocktails, it’s important to complement and contrast different flavours. The options are basically unlimited, so it’s just a matter of finding the perfect combinations.
Different cocktails can pair gins with similar or different flavours to create a unique taste. An example of complementing is adding fresh lemon to a gin with lemon notes.
On the other hand, if you’re drinking citrus or floral gin, consider other ingredients that complement those flavours. It’s the same process that people use for clothes and interior designs. For example, it’s practical to pair a primary coloured shirt with neutron coloured pants.
#5 Texture
This is an issue more experienced gin drinks should consider. For example, if you freeze gin, the texture becomes thicker. After warming up the spirit, the flavour profile expands.
These are some of the various ways you can enjoy Australian gin, including neat, mixed drinks and cocktails. Whether you’re a newbie or guru, you can take the juniper drink to the next level.