Curtis Falls, Tamborine National Park, Gold Coast
Located in the north-eastern corner of the country, Queensland is Australia’s second-largest state. Most famous for being home to the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland also packs an incredible punch of diverse landscapes – think beach, rainforest, and outback – topped off with a mouth-watering food and drink scene which is best enjoyed al fresco thanks to the year-round sunshine.
While we’re all busy dreaming of distant horizons, here at Craft Gin Club HQ, we wanted to bring a taste of Queensland closer to home with three bespoke cocktails from a few of our friends Down Under.
Rosella’s, an Australiana themed bar located in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast, has curated a flavour of the Sunshine State inspired by the fresh produce grown across Queensland. Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays have shared an invigorating cocktail for those bright, sunshine-filled days that lie ahead, and Wolf Lane Distillery in Cairns have included a refreshing cocktail inspired by the verdant, lush green rainforests of Tropical North Queensland.
Take your pick from three unique gin-based cocktail recipes to transport your senses across to the Sunshine State.
The Big Pineapple
Burleigh Heads Beach, Gold Coast
If you want to connect with nature and switch off, then Queensland is the place to be.
There you can experience true tranquillity, exploring one of the many pristine beaches, dipping below the waves to discover the Great Barrier Reef, or taking in sweeping views from the peaks of the many mountains dotted across the State.
But did you know Queensland is also home to a number of ‘big’ national icons? One of which is the Big Pineapple. Located in Nambour (about 62 miles north of Brisbane) the Big Pineapple is a 16m pineapple structure that pays homage to the abundance of fresh fruit grown across the state thanks to its tropical climate.
Rosella’s, an Australiana-themed bar located in picturesque Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast, has curated a cocktail in honour of this national icon and delicious fruit. Since we can’t get to this fun and colourful 34-seat bar that packs plenty of personality and gives guests a flavour of all things Australia, they’ve brought a taste of Queensland to you. Enjoy The Big Pineapple cocktail and transport yourself to the sandy stretches of Burleigh Heads Beach.
Ingredients
30ml gin - any London Dry Gin would work well here
60ml of fresh pineapple juice
30ml of mulberry or blackberry amaro (which is a type of it Italian bitter like Campari)
Lime or pineapple, to garnish
Method
To make your own amaro: start by creating the mulberry amaro by taking 500g of mulberries (or blackberries) and blend with 500ml of Campari. Strain through a coffee filter to remove pulp.
Take 30ml of any dry gin of choice and add to a rocks glass with 30ml of berry amaro. Top off with 60ml of chilled pineapple juice and mix. Garnish then sit back and transport your taste buds to the Sunshine State.
Hamilton Island Iced Tea
Whitehaven Beach, The Whitsundays
Think of The Whitsundays and you’ll likely conjure up images of azure blue seas meeting even bluer skies, both complemented by the pure white sands of the iconic Whitehaven Beach.
Nestled among the 74 idyllic islands in that beautiful part of the world is Hamilton Island. One of the biggest islands in The Whitsundays, the pristine landscape is ripe for exploring. Here you can take to the sea by kayak or stand-up paddleboard, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, enjoy an exclusive day trip out to the iconic Heart Island and explore Heart Reef, or sit back and soak up the sun.
Inspired by the surrounding landscape and an incredible abundance of sunshine, David, a mixologist from Hamilton Island has shared a refreshing cocktail to bring you a taste of the brighter days that lie ahead.
Ingredients
45ml gin
15ml peach schnapps, peach liqueur, crème de peche or any peachy liqueur
30ml lemon juice
20ml honey (add a touch less or more depending on how sweet you like it)
45ml cooled earl grey tea
Method
Add ice to your cocktail shaker and also put ice into a highball glass. Measure out all of the ingredients and add them to the shaker. Mix together, then pour into the highball glass. Garnish with charred lemon and enjoy the refreshing flavours of your Hamilton Island Iced Tea in comfort.
Rainforest Radler
The Daintree Rainforest, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef Region
Cairns is the perfect place to tick off two of Queensland’s World-Heritage-Listed wonders; the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Once you’ve discovered the kaleidoscope of colours nestled beneath the waves, make your way to the world’s oldest rainforest to soak up nature’s soundscape surrounded by rich, verdant greens bursting with wildlife.
Back in the city, head to Three Wolves bar and restaurant. Hidden down a red brick laneway in the heart of Cairns, here the team supply speciality spirits and bespoke cocktails inspired by the surrounding landscape. While we wait for travel to open back up, they’ve shared their recipe for the ‘Rainforest Radler’ which will transport your senses to the nearby Daintree Rainforest, giving you a tropical taste of the region.
Ingredients
45ml London Dry Gin
15ml vanilla liqueur
30ml mango puree
15ml lime juice
Topped with a dash of Pale Ale
Mint sprigs, to garnish
Method
Shake all ingredients except the Pale Ale in a shaker then strain over ice. Top up with the pale ale, garnish with a mint spring and serve.
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