Everything You Need To Know About Auckland’s Premier Gin Celebration

Five mixologists share their # ginjubilee2019 cocktails for this year’s East Imperial Gin Jubilee.

While the weather may have us thinking otherwise, summer’s arrival is imminent — bringing with it many an excuse to park up somewhere sunny with a glass of something refreshing in hand.

If you’re somewhat of a cocktail connoisseur, you would have noticed the rise and rise of gin in 2019 ( Viva even wrote a feature on it earlier this year).

Which is why we’re delighted to announce the annual celebration of our favourite spirit is back and better than ever for yet another year, with the East Imperial Gin Jubilee 2019.

This year marks a three- peat for the gin- centric festival, which sees 18 different gin brands take over Auckland’s top bars to participate in the annual competition to establish whose gin cocktail reigns supreme.

Whether you’re a gin novice or aficionado, this year’s festivities offers up every opportunity to learn everything you need to know about the world’s finest gins, as poured by the city’s best bartenders.

Spread across 15 glorious gin- filled days, the

East Imperial Gin Jubilee officially kicked off on October 25 and runs until November 9 with a closing party at The Lula Inn.

But Auckland isn’t the only city lucky enough to host its own gin festival. In 2018, the proudly

New Zealand- owned business rolled out its Gin Jubilee in other vibrant cities across the globe, including Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Impressively, it was New Zealand’s own Arun Rodgers from Britomart bar 1885 who triumphed over 300 leading bars and bartenders, spread over nine cities in Asia, to be awarded the overall prize in 2018.

To get you in the celebratory mood, five of Auckland’s top mixologists share their premier gin- based cocktail recipes that feature in the East Imperial Gin Jubilee 2019 — cocktails that highlight everything from umami flavours to spicy fruit notes and more.

AZABU ‘ Wasabi Mule’ Ingredients

The Cannabis Co. ‘ The Myrcene’ Hemp Gin East I mperial Mombasa Ginger Beer House made ginger syrup

Fresh l i me

Fresh wasabi

Wasabi cracker garnish Visit Azabuponsonby. co. nz/

LONG BAY SURF CLUB ‘ The Wilderberry’ Ingredients

The Botanist I slay Dry Gin

East I mperial Royal Botanical Tonic & Yuzu Tonic 50/ 50 mix Chambord mist

Mint garnish Visit Facebook. com/ longbaysurfclub

THE CHURCHILL ‘ Dolce Far Niente’ Ingredients

Malfy Con Limone Gin

East I mperial Tonic Water Limoncello

Rosemary and basil mist Dehydrated lemon, basil and rosemary garnish Visit Thechurchillauckland. co. nz/

Hi- SO ‘ Shrub- A- Dub- Dub’ Ingredients

Method & Madness I rish Micro Distilled Gin

East I mperial Soda Water

Black lemon, apple and roasted orange shrub Black lemon, burnt orange peel and cinnamon syrup Lemon wheel and rosemary garnish Visit So- auckland. com/ wine- dine/ hi- so/

MASU by Nic Watt ‘ Lady Nadeshiko’ Ingredients

1919 Distilling Summer Pink Gin East I mperial Yuzu Tonic House made rhubarb juice Pink peppercorn

Yuzu mist Visit Skycityauckland. co. nz/ restaurants/ masu/

Celebrations end with t he East I mperial Gin Jubilee’s unmissable closing night party at The Lula I nn on November 9. The event will see all 18 gin brands and t heir founders or ambassadors come together for a night of f un and f rivolity — with East I mperial Gin Jubilee mixologist Mikey Ball set to announce t his year’s Auckland winner of t he coveted Signature Serve t it le.

Go confidently i nto t he sunny season armed with your newfound gin knowledge — encouraging you to upgrade your bar cart offering and up your cocktail game at your next summer soiree. Gin and it s non- alcoholic BFF East I mperial are decidedly versatile, meaning you’re only l i mited by your i magination when it comes to whipping up a tasty t ipple to suit any occasion.

DON’T MISS THIS This i s one event you’ll want to add to your diary immediately.

Celebrate t he launch of Malfy Gin to New Zealand’s shores at The Churchill on Thursday October

31 from 5-8 pm. Inspired by the vibrant beauty of Italy’ s Amalfi Coast, MalfyG in is the newest addition to The Churchill’s gin menu. On Thursday October 31, The Churchill will host a bespoke Happy Hour complete with Malfy Gin cocktails, plus an Italian-themed grazing table free for guests to enjoy with their gin tipple. • For more i nformation, visit Ginjubilee. com/ Auckland, Eastimperial. com, or follow all t he action on I nstagram @ eastimperial, or using t he hashtags # eastimperial # ginjubilee2019