Drinks News

The Gin Garden's Southside

Looking for a new summer drink? The search is over.

When we had the good fortune to find ourselves in conversation with Ryan Magarian, one of the forces behind Aviation, the best news in gin since the Hendrick's gang stumbled into their rose bushes, we asked him what we should be drinking this summer. Magarian is all about evolution rather than revolution in the cocktail stakes. Should you express an interest in branching out from Mojitos and other refreshing nightclub standards, he'll suggest a Southside. It's been around for a century, but tastes fresher than any daisy you'd care to name. You can make it with all sorts of gin, but Magarian would be flattered if you tried yours with Aviation, the way his friend Mike Enright makes them at The Gin Garden. The Gin Garden, Establishment, 252 George St, Sydney, NSW, (02) 9240 3000.
THE GIN GARDEN'S SOUTHSIDE
Add 60ml Aviation gin, 30ml fresh lime juice, 10ml sugar syrup, six tender young mint leaves and a whisper of soda to a shaker half-filled with cubed ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with mint, and brace yourself for profound refreshment.