What defines a Bush Gin?

A bush is gin produced exclusively through distillation and is made using a foundation of classic botanicals, but is complimented with botanicals that are endemic or are from Australia. Bush Gin is an artisanal gin that celebrates the unique flavours of native botanicals, offering a distinct alternative to traditional London Dry gin. Crafted in small batches by skilled distillers, Bush Gin combines the classic juniper-forward base with regional herbs, spices, fruits, and seeds, resulting in an aromatic and complex spirit. Often highlighting local flora such as wattleseed, lemon myrtle, or pepperberry, this gin embodies the terroir of its origin, making each batch unique. Its versatility allows it to be enjoyed neat, over ice, or in creative cocktails that emphasize its earthy, citrusy, and floral notes. Perfect for cocktail enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike, Bush Gin bridges tradition and innovation in modern mixology.

Bush Gin is a distinctive artisanal spirit defined by its use of native and regional botanicals, setting it apart from conventional commercial gins. At its foundation, Bush Gin retains the traditional juniper-forward profile, but small-batch Australian distillers elevate it with locally sourced ingredients such as wattleseed, lemon myrtle, Tasmanian pepperberry, and other endemic herbs. These botanicals, long celebrated as “bush foods” by Indigenous Australians, provide a remarkable balance of flavours, producing aromatic, earthy, citrusy, floral, and spicy notes that reflect the natural landscapes of Australia.

Visit the Fossil Coast Drinks Shop

The production process involves careful maceration or distillation of these native botanicals with the base spirit, ensuring full integration of flavour while maintaining clarity and smoothness. Australian native botanicals contribute across all flavour profiles: the citrusy brightness of finger limes, lemon myrtle, and lemon-scented gums; the floral and fruity tones of Murraya, riberry, and Kakadu plum; the spice of cinnamon myrtle, anise myrtle, and bloodroot; and the earthy nuttiness of bunya nut, macadamia, and wattleseed. Herbal nuances from river mint, peppermint gum leaf, and eucalyptus further enrich the gin’s complexity.

Bush Gin is versatile, ideal for neat sipping, over ice, or in cocktails such as the Bush Gin & Tonic or a native botanical Negroni. Beyond its flavour, it carries cultural significance, celebrating Australia’s flora and heritage while innovating within modern craft gin production. By blending tradition, innovation, and regional identity, Bush Gin delivers a truly unique experience for mixologists, gin enthusiasts, and artisanal spirit connoisseurs, solidifying its place as a modern classic in Australia’s craft gin movement.