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Best Gin Cocktails in Parramatta

The popularity of gin can, in part, be attributed to its terrific taste and versatility as a mixer. The presence of botanicals can lift and alter a cocktail, and contribute to and alter fruity and herby flavours. Gin can suit both dry and sweet cocktails, cementing its status as the perfect mixer.

However, it is not as simple as that. Gin’s popularity has certainly risen in recent years, and that has been caused by a range of more complex factors, including the birth of the craft gin market. Gin, once a drink of the bawdy crowd, took on an upmarket aspect when the industry adapted and started to craft and market gins made in small batches using sophisticated and ultra-local botanicals.

It is a popular drink in pop culture (just think of James Bond) and it also leverages on the drinker’s appreciation of place, with the infusion and usage of local botanicals contributing to one’s sense of place, and even allowing you to ‘travel to’ other destinations around the world.

Defining gin

Like other alcohols (especially whisky), gin is quite a regulated spirit and certain rules govern what is defined as gin. Gin is made by the distillation of alcohol from grain (such as barley or wheat). To this, the distiller then adds botanicals which can include herbs, flowers, seeds, spices, and flowers. Foremost among these must be juniper. The process can be achieved via steeping; vapour infusion; and vacuum or cold distillation.

There are various terms that regularly appear in gin marketing that it may be helpful to explain. Sloe gin is a liqueur made by the mixing of gin with sloes, which are a plum-like fruit of a plant known as the blackthorn. Base spirit refers to the spirit prior to the adding of the botanicals. Bathtub gin refers an amateur, homemade gin and arises from the prohibition era.

Gin is made around the world. Traditionally this has included Holland, Belgium, France, Germany, and more recently, Spain, Japan, USA, South America, and Australia.

Gin cocktails from Heritage Lounge

Cocktail bar in Parramatta, Heritage Lounge, offers the below cocktails including gin:

• Anomaly – Roku Gin, Peach infused liqueur, Camomile, Honey, fresh Grapefruit with a hint of Lavender
• Allure – Roku gin, Fig Liqueur, homemade fig jam with fresh Lemon. Pop to release the aromas.
• Dunalley Rosie & Hip Gin, Parfait Amour, fresh Lime and muddled Blackberries with Dunalley Princess Sloe Gin.
• The Bank. Elyx Vodka infused with Strawberry & Cinnamon, Sipsmith Dry Gin, Lillet Blanc with a hint of Absinthe
• Gin Mare, Antica Formula, Campari and Fernet Branca, aged in Thyme, Rosemary and Orange Peel infused American Oak ex Shiraz Whisky Barrel.
• Deposit Box. 23rd Street Signature Gin, Green Chartreuse, Amaro Montenegro aged in French Oak ex Mataro Whisky Barrel

To sample the above, to shot gin, or enjoy it with a mixer in a sophisticated and relaxed environment in Parramatta, visit Heritage Lounge. For more information on our cocktail bar and whisky bar in Parramatta, browse our website.