New Zealand Gin: From Local Delight to Global Success
New Zealand gin is making a name for itself on the global stage with its unique botanicals and distinct flavours. From the North Island to the South Island, there are numerous distillers producing some of the most exceptional gins the world has ever seen.
READ OUR BLOG POST"New Zealand's gin industry has taken the world by storm, showcasing the country's unique botanicals and commitment to quality, and proving that success on the global stage can be achieved with passion, innovation, and attention to detail."
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NZ GINS GOING INTERNATIONAL
Our gin industry is making waves globally with standout gins like 1919, Scapegrace, Strange Nature, and Roots Gin. Each has its unique taste, from classic juniper to bold and adventurous botanicals. These gins showcase the excellence and creativity of the New Zealand gin industry.
Elemental Distillers / Roots Gin
One noteworthy distillery is Roots Gin, which hails from Marlborough. This gin is made with unique botanicals that are unfamiliar to many gin drinkers, such as Gorse flower and Kawakawa. This unique mixture has helped earn the gin widespread recognition, including the World's Best London Dry Gin at the World Gin Awards.
“For any boutique distillery, having your product sell internationally is more than just a statement of achievement but a statement of intent – This is us, we’re good enough, and we’re here to play.”
“Having your product exported is about more than just representing your own brand story but also the story of brand New Zealand. We may be just 5 million people on the edge of the world map, but we’re front of the world stage”
Ben Legget
Director / Distiller
Our favourite roots gin cocktails
Chelsea Rose
30mls - Roots Marlborough Dry Gin
15mls - Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
5mls - Rose infused syrup
3 dash - Elemental Grapefruit & Hops Bitters
Add all ingredients into a shaker with cubed ice.
Shake hard and short until chilled.
Strain through a small sieve into a chilled coupette.
Garnish with rose petals with dew droplets of bitters on top.
Il Conte
30mls - Roots Marlborough Dry Gin
15mls - Campari
10mls - Pedro Ximenez Sherry
1/2 spoon - Fernet Branca
3 dash - Elemental Blackberry & Balsamic Bitters
Stir all ingredients together over cubed ice in a mixing glass until well chilled.
Strain into a tumbler with fresh cubed ice.
Garnish with a snap of an orange peel.
1919 Distilling
Another example of local gin distillers winning on the global stage is 1919 Gin, which is produced in Auckland. 1919 choose to use the best ingredients available, rather than cut corners; lemons and oranges grown in New Zealand, hand picked cherries from Otago and sustainably sourced honey. Their goal is to not only use the best ingredients, but to help grow New Zealand business along the way, has earned it numerous awards, including gold at the prestigious Juniper Awards.
“It hasn’t always been plain sailing, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. For 10 years, I missed so many special events while I was at sea; now, I can work and see family. As a small-business owner, the work is never done, but it’s this challenge that keeps me expanding 1919. We’re available in New Zealand and Australia now. Who knows what’s next?”
Soren crabb
1919 Distiller
Our favourite 1919 gin cocktails
1919 Dry Mule
30ml - 1919 Dry Gin
15ml - Green Apple Juice
Topped with East Imperial Ginger Beer
Garnished - Fresh Seasonal Berries
Build all ingredients in a highball glass, pack the glass with cubed/block ice, Garnish with Seasonal Berries.
Faberge Hi-Ball
30ml - 1919 Dry Gin
20ml - Boysenberry & Bayleaf Cordial
Topped with East Imperial Yuzu Lemonade
Garnished - Pea Shoots/tendrils
Build all ingredients in a highball glass, pack the glass with cubed/block ice, Garnish with Pea Tendrils.
Scapegrace
Scapegrace Gin, crafted in Otago, is another renowned New Zealand gin distiller. The gin's signature blend includes botanicals like coriander, orris root, and New Zealand lemon peel, which give it a distinctive taste that has earned it numerous awards, such as the World's best gin at the International Spirits Awards in London.
"Since the ideation of Scapegrace, the ethos was always to take New Zealand spirits to the global stage. Fast forward 11 years, and working alongside some amazing distributors, the brand is trading in 35 markets globally, and has collected some of the highest global honours."
Mark Neal
Co-founder
Our favourite Scapegrace gin cocktails
Bees Knees
60ml - Scapegrace Classic
20ml - Fresh Lemon Juice
3 tsp - Honey
Shake with ice, strain and serve.
Gin Rickey
60ml - Scapegrace Classic
20ml -Fresh Lime Juice
East Imperial Soda Water
Shake gin & juice, top with soda water then add lime garnish.
Strange Nature
Finally, Strange Nature Gin, hailing from Marlborough, is a small-batch gin that has captured the attention of gin enthusiasts worldwide. A unique spirit distilled from Sauvignon grapes, made from the leftover alcohol removed from their alcohol-free wines. This clean white spirit is then distilled with the only botanical Strange Nature needs, the one that defines gin - Juniper - providing their unexpected taste profile.
‘Strange Nature has been available in the NZ market for 18mths and has quickly captured the imaginations of NZ gin and wine consumers, it is now one of the leading premium gins in the +$80 price point category in NZ. The beautiful bottle that encapsulates the award-winning gin, coupled with a strong story of innovation and provenance has raised serious interest abroad at the same time.
We are also deploying brand ambassadors into both Sydney and Melbourne with the goal of opening up availability for the brand into Australian bars, restaurants and hotels. The 1st shipment to the US is due to be exported at the end of the month, with a tailored launch to the US market across the states of California, Colorado and Texas.’
rhys Julian
Part-owner & General Manager
Our favourite Strange Nature gin cocktails
Clover Club
45ml - Strange Nature Gin
15ml - Dry Vermouth
20ml - Raspberry Syrup
20ml - Lemon Juice
15ml - Aquafaba
Dehydrated raspberry to garnish
Place ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake well. Add ice to the shaker and shake again for 30 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of dehydrated raspberry.
Green Tea Collins
45ml - Strange Nature Gin
15ml - Green tea syrup
East Imperial Soda Water
Lemon to garnish
Build in a tall glass, top with soda water and finish with a delicate zest of lemon.
Give it a try
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