Why Gin Isn’t Just for Summer:

Winter Cocktails to Change Your Mind

Featuring King Island Coastal Gin and Gidley Dry Gin 

Gin has long been typecast as a summer spirit — splashed into G&Ts, stirred into spritzes, or mixed with cucumber and mint under the sun. But at King Island Distillery Bass Strait, we believe that gin deserves a place in your winter repertoire too. 

With the right botanicals, thoughtful pairings, and a little creativity, gin can bring depth, warmth, and elegance to winter cocktails that rival any whisky or brandy serve. Here are two exceptional ways to reimagine gin in the cooler months, featuring our award-winning King Island Coastal Gin and bold Gidley Dry Gin. 

1. The Winter Coast Martini 

Featuring: King Island Coastal Gin 

Recently awarded Highly Commended in the Martini category at The Gin Guide Awards 2025, King Island Coastal Ginis crisp, mineral-rich and elegantly savoury — made with native botanicals and filtered King Island rainwater. In winter, this expression lends itself beautifully to a clean, bracing serve. 

Recipe: 

• 60ml King Island Coastal Gin 

• 10ml dry vermouth 

• Dash of olive or samphire brine (optional) 

• Garnish: Lemon twist or rosemary sprig 

Stir over ice, strain into a chilled martini glass, and garnish. The result is crisp, coastal, and quietly commanding — the kind of martini that pairs perfectly with a fire and oysters. 

Shop King Island Coastal Gin 

2. Gidley’s Winter Negroni 

Featuring: Gidley Dry Gin 

Gidley Dry Gin is a classic London-style gin with structure, balance and boldness — inspired by maritime trade routes and built to hold its own in robust serves. For winter, it shines in a richer, spicier take on the Negroni. 

Recipe: 

• 30ml Gidley Dry Gin 

• 30ml sweet vermouth 

• 30ml bitter aperitif (like Campari) 

• Dash of orange bitters 

• Garnish: Dehydrated blood orange or burnt orange twist 

Stir ingredients with ice, then strain over a large cube in a rocks glass. The Gidley adds bold botanicals that cut through the richness, making this a comforting, complex winter sipper. 

Shop Gidley Dry Gin

Gin: A Spirit for All Seasons 

Winter cocktails don’t have to mean heavy or sweet. Gin offers clarity, structure and versatility — making it ideal for clean martinis, spirit-forward sippers, and herbaceous, citrus-led drinks that match the mood of the season. 

At King Island Distillery Bass Strait, our spirits are crafted to reflect the island we call home — wild, pure, and full of contrast. Just like winter itself. 

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