Kosciuszko Gin & Tonic

By Ashleigh Went.

In a world of reality TV, Insta-celebs, Pokémon Go, Tinder and selfies, the classic gin and tonic represents what we’re perhaps lacking most: simple sophistication.

Crisp, refreshing and quintessentially British, the G&T has a rich history – and flavour. Back in the 1800s, the British military would mix tonic with quinine extract from the Peruvian fever tree, used to treat malaria. Those clever brits were well versed on the old ‘a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down’ – so they added sugar, gin, and soda water. The rest, as they say, is history.

These days the quinine is used in smaller doses and in many cases is artificial – but that’s not to say the drink doesn’t retain some health benefits (as if you needed an excuse). The bitterness can aid digestion, plus gin is made from natural ingredients like juniper berries and herbs that have antioxidants and micronutrients. You could say it’s anti-aGIN’ #sorrynotsorry

We’ve kept the flavours that make this drink so classic, and added our own Lucky’s twist. For starters, we use Kosciuszko Wild Brumby Gin – lush and local, produced in the highlands between Thredbo and Jindabyne. Next we add 30ml of Elderflower Quinine Syrup, 15ml lime juice, a little sugar (cos we know you’re sweet enough) and give it a good old shake. Then we strain it into a highball over ice, top it up with sparkling water, add a rosemary sprig fresh from our rooftop garden and a cucumber slice.

The result? Fresh as hell, bittersweet and downright spectacular, if we do say so ourselves.

Now we’ve got your drink de jour settled, let’s talk eats. I’d go the Burnt Ends – slow cooked beef brisket bits, dill cucumbers and pickled red onion. If that’s not your jam, why not give our house made spiced beef jerky a crack? There’s not much that a G&T doesn’t blend with TBH, so choose whatever you’re feeling – better yet, order a few to share (or not).