There has been a long-held misconception that beer or wine are the best drinks to enjoy with food, but with the huge array of flavours and style on offer from spirits, why should they not be considered a food-friendly option?
It’s a question the team at Hickson House Distilling Co have considered and it’s a question they have sought to answer and a misconception they have fought to challenge by working with Chef Sean Connolly on a new gin created to enhance the meal occasion.
Hickson Rd Seven Spice Gin is a unique culinary gin that is also a nod to the diversity of native Australian botanicals, featuring seven Australian ingredients.
Sean and Hickson’s Distiller Tim Stones have brought together native lemongrass, mountain pepper leaf, aniseed myrtle, finger lime, wattleseed, bush tomato and lemon myrtle and carefully balanced these with traditional juniper to create a contemporary Australian Gin.
Mikey Enright and his bar team have built a range of new cocktails around Seven Spice Gin, collaborating with Sean to create a menu of dishes to match the drinks. Highlights include Dry-Aged Muscovy Duck paired with Seven Spice Carrotini, a savoury-style Martini; and Scallops & Native Citrus Butter matched to the citrusy but balanced Seven Spice Myrtle Mayhem.
Sean said: “I loved the challenge of creating a botanical-based menu. Each dish heroes one botanical with the others supporting. Sitting at the bar learning about gins with Mikey and his expert team was a spiritual experience – pun intended. As we tasted Seven Spice Gin the culinary magic just happened naturally – I hope you agree.”
Tim added: “I’ve always wanted to bring my love of cooking into the distillery. Seven Spice Gin reaps the rewards and celebrates the challenges of working with Australian native botanicals, so vastly different to anything that grows elsewhere.”
To celebrate the new gin and Sean’s menu creations Hickson House is hosting exclusive ‘Distiller’s Table’ dinners on June 8th and 15th featuring Sean’s gin-paired menu and seated amid the craft distillery’s copper stills and oak barrels. Hosted by Mikey and Tim, the dinners will give a rare opportunity and unforgettable experience for just 20 foodies and gin lovers. Book tickets here for $195pp including all food and drinks.
Tim said: “The distillery dinners will be a unique opportunity to get closer to the gin and its creation.”
Mikey has a successful track-record of providing brilliant drinks and flawless service across his Barrelhouse Group venues, now is excited to offer a versatile alternative to the more traditional drinks during meal service.
He said: “It’s been part of Hickson House’s vision from day one to educate and inspire our patrons and to elevate their meals with matching food and drink recipes – Tim’s liquid and Sean’s menu kick that off perfectly.”
From June 1, Hickson House patrons will be able to enjoy the newly-created Hickson Rd. Seven Spice Gin cocktails, matched to dishes by Sean and the Hickson House kitchen team. Full new menu available on request.
Gin fans will also be able to purchase Hickson Rd. Seven Spice Gin for $75 from the distillery’s cellar door and website, alongside a new house-made Seven Spice Seasoning mix, plus other cocktail garnishes and ingredients.
