The Most Famous Gin and Tonic Brands from Australia
Australia is globally celebrated for its wines and craft beers, but over the last decade, it has also emerged as a world leader in craft gin. With its extraordinary biodiversity, ranging from coastal botanicals and tropical fruits to eucalyptus and Tasmanian pepperberry, Australia offers gin producers access to ingredients found nowhere else on earth. This has allowed Australian distillers to create gins with bold, distinctive profiles that are now winning awards and recognition worldwide. Alongside gin, premium tonic waters from Australia and imports from Europe have created a thriving gin & tonic culture that reflects the country’s innovation and lifestyle.
A Short History of Gin in Australia
Gin was introduced to Australia during the colonial era, mainly as an imported spirit. For most of the 20th century, domestic production was minimal, and imported brands like Gordon’s, Beefeater, and Tanqueray dominated.
The turning point came in the early 2000s, when the craft spirits movement began to gain traction in Australia. By the 2010s, gin had exploded in popularity, and today the country has more than 300 distilleries producing world-class gins that use native botanicals to give the spirit a distinctly Australian identity.
Famous Australian Gin Brands
1. Four Pillars Gin – The Global Star
Distillery: Four Pillars Distillery, Healesville, Victoria
Founded: 2013
Four Pillars is Australia’s most famous gin brand, exported to over 25 countries and crowned International Gin Producer of the Year at the IWSC multiple times.
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Signature Botanicals: Tasmanian pepperberry leaf, lemon myrtle, and oranges.
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Variants:
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Rare Dry Gin – The flagship.
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Bloody Shiraz Gin – Infused with Yarra Valley Shiraz grapes (a global cult favorite).
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Olive Leaf Gin – Mediterranean style with olive leaf and rosemary.
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Reputation: A benchmark of Australian gin innovation and quality.
2. Brookie’s Gin (Cape Byron Distillery) – Rainforest in a Bottle
Location: Byron Bay, New South Wales
Brookie’s Gin embodies sustainability and rainforest preservation.
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Botanicals: Over 25 ingredients, including native finger lime, Byron sunrise fruit, aniseed myrtle, and cinnamon myrtle.
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Style: Fresh, citrus-driven, complex, and distinctly tropical.
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Reputation: A pioneer in sustainable spirits production in Australia.
3. Never Never Distilling Co. – The Juniper Experts
Location: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Never Never is known for producing juniper-forward gins that balance tradition with bold flavor.
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Flagship: Triple Juniper Gin – Distilled three ways for maximum juniper intensity.
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Other Variants: Southern Strength (navy-style, higher ABV) and Aromatic Bitters Gin.
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Reputation: Internationally acclaimed, popular with bartenders who love classic gin structure with Australian intensity.
4. Ink Gin – The Color-Changing Gin
Distillery: Husk Distillers, Tumbulgum, New South Wales
Ink Gin has become world-famous for its striking color-changing quality.
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Botanicals: Juniper, angelica, lemon myrtle, Tasmanian pepperberry, and butterfly pea flower (which changes from blue to pink when mixed with tonic).
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Reputation: A social media sensation, but also well-regarded for flavor balance.
5. Kangaroo Island Spirits (KIS) – Australia’s First Craft Gin Distillery
Location: Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Founded: 2006
The pioneer of Australia’s gin revolution.
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Botanicals: Native coastal daisy, aniseed myrtle, and wild juniper.
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Flagship Gins: Wild Gin, O’Gin, and Mulberry Gin.
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Reputation: One of the most respected craft distillers in the country.
6. West Winds Gin – The Western Original
Location: Margaret River, Western Australia
Known for its bold, savory gins with strong local character.
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Variants:
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The Sabre – Classic London Dry style.
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The Cutlass – Spicier, with Australian bush tomatoes and cinnamon myrtle.
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Reputation: Helped establish Western Australia as a gin destination.
7. Others Rising
Dozens of smaller producers such as Bass & Flinders (Mornington Peninsula), Archie Rose (Sydney), and Ironbark Distillery (NSW) are also gaining international recognition.
Famous Australian Tonic Water Brands
1. Strangelove Tonic – The Premium Local Brand
An Australian craft mixer brand specializing in tonics and sodas.
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Variants: Dirty Tonic, Light Tonic, and Coastal Tonic.
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Reputation: Known for bold flavors that pair well with complex Australian gins.
2. Capi Tonic Water – The Design-Driven Choice
Based in Melbourne, Capi produces natural mixers and mineral waters.
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Profile: Clean, crisp tonic water with soft carbonation.
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Reputation: Stylish, widely available in high-end restaurants and bars.
3. Imported Premium Tonics
Fever-Tree, Fentimans, and Schweppes Premium Mixer are widely available in Australia, often paired with Four Pillars or Ink Gin in bars.
Australia’s Gin & Tonic Culture Today
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Botanicals: Native ingredients such as lemon myrtle, wattleseed, Tasmanian pepperberry, finger lime, and Kakadu plum define Australian gin.
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Serving Style: Inspired by Spain’s gin-tonic culture, balloon glasses are popular in bars, with citrus and herbs used as garnishes.
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Garnishes: Fresh orange (Four Pillars signature), grapefruit, rosemary, native herbs, and even bush spices.
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Events: Gin festivals such as Junipalooza Melbourne and Sydney Gin Palooza showcase Australia’s booming gin scene.
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Export: Brands like Four Pillars, Never Never, and Ink Gin are now available worldwide, giving Australia a strong international presence.
Conclusion
Australia has quickly become a global powerhouse in gin, producing spirits that combine innovation, native ingredients, and premium craftsmanship. From international stars like Four Pillars and Ink Gin to pioneers like Kangaroo Island Spirits, the country’s gins are as diverse as its landscapes. Paired with premium local tonics like Strangelove and Capi, Australian gin & tonics offer a tasting journey through the bush, rainforest, coast, and vineyard.
For gin lovers, Australian gin & tonics embody the essence of the nation: bold, vibrant, and deeply connected to the land.
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