Orchard Elegance:

Winter Cocktails with Pear, Apple & Gin

While the days are shorter and the air is crisp, our palates naturally gravitate towards flavours that are deeper, rounder, and more comforting. Winter fruits—particularly pear and apple—step into the spotlight at this time of year, bringing a balance of sweetness, freshness, and warmth that lends itself beautifully to seasonal cocktails. When paired with the purity and complexity of King Island Distillery Bass Strait gins, these fruits transform simple serves into extraordinary experiences. 

Why Pear and Apple Shine in Winter Cocktails 

• Apple delivers a crisp sweetness with a hint of tartness, perfect for complementing the sharp, aromatic botanicals in gin. 

• Pear offers a velvety, mellow sweetness with a floral undertone, softening the edges of stronger flavours while adding a layer of refinement. 

Cocktail Inspiration 
1. Spiced Apple Gin Fizz (with King Island Coastal Gin) 

Bright coastal botanicals meet warming winter spice. 

Ingredients: 

• 50ml King Island Coastal Gin 

• 60ml cloudy apple juice 

• 15ml lemon juice 

• 10ml spiced syrup (cinnamon, clove, star anise) 

• Soda water 

• Apple fan or star anise to garnish 

Method: Shake gin, apple juice, lemon, and spiced syrup over ice. Strain into a highball with ice and top with soda water. Garnish with an apple fan or star anise pod. 

Why it works: The vibrant, ocean-inspired botanicals of Coastal Gin lift the sweetness of apple, while spiced syrup adds warmth—perfect for fireside sipping. 

2. Winter Pear & Thyme Collins (with Gidley Dry Gin) 

A refreshing yet comforting take on a Collins. 

Ingredients: 

• 50ml Gidley Dry Gin 

• 30ml pear purée 

• 20ml lemon juice 

• 10ml honey syrup 

• Soda water 

• Fresh thyme sprig to garnish 

Method: Build ingredients in a tall glass with ice, stir gently, and top with soda. Garnish with thyme for an aromatic finish. 

Why it works: Pear and honey complement gin’s botanicals, while thyme provides a herbaceous lift that feels grounded and wintry. 

The Essence of Winter in a Glass 

Winter cocktails are about comfort without heaviness—a chance to celebrate seasonal fruit while honouring the spirit at the heart of the glass. Pear and apple bring natural sweetness and orchard charm, while King Island Distillery Bass Strait Coastal Gin and Gidley Dry Gin provide the clarity, depth, and purity that elevate each sip from ordinary to extraordinary. 

This season, embrace the elegance of winter fruits in your cocktail making. Whether it’s the crisp bite of apple or the soft allure of pear, paired with gin, these fruits remind us that even in the colder months, there’s beauty to be savoured in every glass. 

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