King Island Distillery Bass Strait Speciality Serves for Autumn Entert

With Autumn now here we’re excited to share five exceptional cocktails that showcase the unique character of King Island Distillery’s ultra-premium spirits. Thoughtfully created for the cooler season for relaxed celebrations or Easter entertaining these serves are ideal for long lunches, sunset gatherings, or simply enjoying a well-made drink with friends and family.

Each cocktail balances seasonal flavour with refined simplicity, and some adding a touch of chocolate – to really impress those guests.

Golden Pear with Waterwitch Vodka

Light and refreshing, Golden Pear drifts in like an autumn breeze. Waterwitch Vodka provides a smooth grain backbone, while champagne syrup and pear deliver a polite nod to Autumn. A touch of Aquafaba (vegan egg white) softens the acidity, rounding out a cocktail that’s as easy to sip as it is to fall for.

Recipe

• 45ml Waterwitch Grain Vodka
• 10ml Pear Liqueur (Massanez Pear Liqueur)
• 20ml Lemon Juice
• 20ml Cloudy Pear Juice (Bickfords, available from all supermarkets)
• 20ml Champagne Syrup*
• 20ml Aquafaba (vegan Eggwhite)

Shake and Strain into a Coupette, Garnish with pear slice on the rim.

*Champagne Syrup

Combine 2 Parts Champagne (millilitres) to 1 part sugar (grams)
(Eg. 500ml Champagne 250gm Sugar) mix till dissolved.

Fallen Fruit with Gidley Dry Gin

Fallen Fruit is a celebration of autumn flavours, a cocktail where orchard flavours meet island refinement. King Island Gidley Dry Gin sets a crisp botanical base, delicately lifted by white crème de cacao and a caramelised pear reduction. Lemon juice and maple syrup add balance, brightness and warmth, while soda brings a refreshing lift.

Garnished with dark chocolate and fresh pear, this cocktail is a gentle reminder of nature’s sweetest descent.

Recipe

• 45ml King Island Distiller Gidley Dry Gin
• 10ml White Creme De Cacao
• 30ml Caramelised Pear Reduction**
• 20ml Lemon Juice
• 10ml Maple Syrup
• 120ml Soda Water

Method

Build all ingredients into a tall glass and gently stir, garnish with grated Dark Chocolate and Pear.

**Take 1 litre Cloudy Pear Juice and reduce on a stove to 250ml. Chill and its ready to use!

Fallen Fruit is just suited for sipping solo or sharing in punch form. (Multiply the recipe, and add 45mls extra soda per serve to ensure its suitable for easter lunch!)

Autumn Tide with King Island Distillery Coastal Gin

Autumn Tide is a simple twist on the classic gimlet, inspired by coastal breezes and the warmth of Autumn. King Island Coastal Gin provides a clean, salty backbone, while chocolate liqueur adds a hint of warmth. The house-made grapefruit and rosemary cordial brings bittersweet citrus and herbaceous depth, harmonised by a bright touch of lemon juice. Refreshing yet complex, this cocktail captures the shift of the season.

Recipe

• 50ml King Island Coastal Gin
• 10ml White Creme De Cacao
• 20ml Lemon Juice
• 20ml Grapefruit and Rosemary Cordial***

***Rosemary Grapefruit Syrup

1. Juice your ruby red grapefruits and measure the juice by volume.
2. For every 250ml of grapefruit juice, add:
• An equal weight of sugar (e.g., 250g sugar for 250ml juice)
• 5g of fresh rosemary
3. Pour the grapefruit juice, sugar, and rosemary into a saucepan. Gently heat the mixture – just warm it enough to dissolve the sugar and extract flavour from the rosemary. Do not let it boil.
4. Once the sugar is fully dissolved, remove from heat.
5. Allow the syrup to cool, tasting regularly.
When the rosemary flavour is balanced and pleasant (around 10 minutes for me), remove the rosemary.

Martha’s Nightcap with Martha’s Moonshine

Recipe

• 50ml Martha’s Moonshine
• 10ml White Creme De Cacao
• 15ml Maple Syrup
• 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass, and stir the cocktail with ice for 10-15mins.

Pour into a large rocks glass with a big block of ice, garnish with Dark Chocolate or an Orange Twist.

King Island Sunset with King Island Distillery Limoncello

Recipe

• 45ml King Island Distillery Limoncello
• 15ml Campari
• 30ml Lemon Juice
• 100ml Sparkling Apple Juice

Add Campari to a wine glass, add ice and then pour all other ingredients to create a beautiful sunset gradient.

Garnish with sage and enjoy!

Elevate your autumn entertaining with these cocktails, each designed to highlight the quality and character of King Island Distillery spirits. Whether you're mixing a drink to share or savouring a quiet moment on a cooler evening visit King Island Distillery Bass Strait to explore the full range and order the perfect bottle to create your own seasonal cocktail experience.