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<\/a><\/p>\nSounds like Portugal and Spain were pretty special. Breakfast beer snacks? I think you\u2019re onto something. But I think they should stick to their beer and maybe wine. Gin & Tonics in Spain? Maybe it\u2019s better than some of the overpriced, rather simple versions you are subject to in SE Asia?<\/p>\n
Winter is upon us, but we live in constant fear of those pesky (possibly) disease carrying mossies. Luckily there haven\u2019t been any reported cases of malaria in some time, but I put that down to herd immunity. My efforts alone should be enough to protect vast swathes of the community. It\u2019s my little bit for the greater good.<\/p>\n
There has been a surge in the interest in gin here. So much so I would put some of the local gins up against most any others. My personal favourite is from Yarra Valley, Four Pillars (www.fourpillarsgin.com.au<\/u><\/a>), though the newer Melbourne Gin Company (www.melbournegincompany.com<\/u><\/a>) from right here is also more than acceptable. While the \u201cstandard\u201d fare have beautifully balanced botanicals, the Four Pillars Barrel Aged has a little vanilla toastiness that makes it perfectly fine to sip over some ice\u2026no tonic needed.<\/p>\n I was lucky enough to be treated to some very special gin from Scotland the other day courtesy of Alex & Amanda. Sipped over some ice, the Caorunn\u00a0packed a juniper punch that almost gave you \u201ccat\u2019s bum\u201d perse. Smooth as a well-worn\u2026sporran! The\u00a0NB was a little rougher around the edges. Good, but not as good. So much for the gin. Let\u2019s get to the tonic. No, I don\u2019t mean overpriced, genuine imitation quinine and sugar filled soda water. I mean the real McCoy! Tonic syrups have been a revelation for me over the last 12 months. They all have their own quirks, it\u2019s worth having a few in the fridge ready to go.<\/p>\n Made with actual quinine, a bunch of botanicals and unrefined sugars, these things pack a healthy bitter punch. Want more bite, merely add a dash more. Oh, having a Soda Stream or the like is ideal. Then there isn\u2019t even a need to buy soda water for the spritz.<\/p>\n What I find strange is that many of these are made in the US. Not somewhere I normally associate with G&T\u2019s.<\/p>\n My favourite syrup at the moment is C & B\u2019s. My preference is a 1:4:1 mix with soda water and gin.<\/p>\n Only Bitters in Melbourne (www.onlybitters.com<\/u><\/a>) carries a pretty good range.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a cool day today and I\u2019ve picked up some awful lurgy on public transport, so I am forced to be a philistine and not have a gin. I feel bad not being able to celebrate gin on this auspicious day.<\/p>\n Need to keep moving. Slow braised beef is nearly ready to put a pastry top on it and throw it back in the oven. Might even light a fire tonight\u2026to keep the mossies away of course.<\/p>\n Cheers,<\/p>\n Daniel<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hi Tony. Happy World Gin Day! I know. It really should be World Gin Day every day. Sounds like Portugal and Spain were pretty special. Breakfast beer snacks? I think you\u2019re onto something. But I think they should stick to their beer and maybe wine. Gin & Tonics in Spain? Maybe it\u2019s better than some … Continue reading Bad air<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n