Get ready for Sydney’s newest gin coming to us courtesy of the soon-to-launch Kings Cross Distillery.
Gin in undeniably the spirit of the moment. In fact, we’ve been writing about it on numerous occasions in the past few months: from the launch of Sydney’s first flagship Four Pillars gin lab to the world’s first virtual G&T festival and even delicious gin-fuelled recipes courtesy of Sydney Gin. And today is no different as we deliver the exciting news that Sydney has scored an epic new gin distillery and bar in the heart of Kings Cross.
Aptly named the Kings Cross Distillery, this new gin-fuelled destination is breathing new life into the Kings Cross area, a once-thriving inner-city precinct for drinking and dancing all night long. Set in the heart of it all, Kings Cross Distillery can be found in the chic laneway of Llankelly place, just a short stroll from some of the best restaurants in Potts Point.
The venue is both a cocktail bar and micro-distillery, with the spirits distilled on-site using the pot-still affectionately known as “Miss Potsy”. With a colourful history as a speakeasy and even a gambling den, the Kings Cross Distillery pays homage to this colourful history with the venue’s former vault now used to store the bar’s most prized possessions: bottles of gin.
The bar is stunning. With outdoor seating in the laneway at the front, you’d be fooled into think that was all the seating room there was. Pass the bar and you’ll twist and turn through to find hidden nooks and tables hidden behind the entrance façade. At the back, you’ll find the pot-still “Miss Potsy” and more tables and private dining areas. Punters will also be able to sip through the distilleries’ own premium gin, vodka and whisky.
We recommend trying their signature “Sin and Tonique” which has their KDX classic dry gin, Massenez Violette Liqueur, Red Grapefruit, Butterfly Pea Tea, and Strange Love Light Tonic. It comes served in a light blue hue, and then you pour the tea over to create a purple/pink concoction. We also recommend the Im(peach)ment, served with their KXD classic gin, Massenez Crème De Peche, Byrhh Salted Honey, Lemon and Prosecco. Plus, personalised spirit lockers will be available at the bar where guests can keep their own bottles and consume them in any gin concoction of their choice- be that the perfect G&T, or a gin cocktail from our cocktail list of their choosing.
King Cross Distillery has also launched its own KXD Australian Classic Dry Gin. The inaugural gin recipe is a mix of classic ‘London Dry’ gin botanicals like juniper, coriander seed, and cardamom pods, with the addition of fresh Sydney organic lemons, as well as a local mix of Australian native myrtles. The resulting gin is sweet, floral, and very curvy. The KXD Australian Classic Dry Gin also boasts notes of juniper, preserved lemon, grapefruit, bakers’ spices with exotic woods.
Best served with Indian tonic water and a slice of rinsed preserved lemon peel, the venue’s signature cocktail will be the Aalto Martini, featuring 60ml of the KXD Australian Classic Dry Gin, dry vermouth rinse, and a slice of preserved lemon peel.
KXD Australian Classic Dry Gin and the spirit lockers can be purchased online now for $115 for a 700ml bottle. To find out more about Kings Cross Distillery click here.
