Stand a chance to win these exclusive tickets to this year's Gin Jubilee x Time Out KL Masterclass and Gin Jubilee x Time Out KL Gin Ramble
Prize 1: One pair of tickets to the Gin Jubilee x Time Out KL Gin Ramble on Sep 15, 7pm-10pm
Prize 2: One pair of tickets to the Gin Jubilee x Time Out KL Masterclass on Sep 16, 4pm-6pm
Gin lovers rejoice, as Asia’s premier gin festival returns to our shores. KL will be kicking off the gin celebrations this year for the East Imperial Gin Jubilee (Sep 13-16), before it moves on to other cities across Asia like Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai.
The gin scene in KL has flourished over the past year as the city has seen a number of gin specialist bars (namely Pahit, MAZE, Mercat and more) opening up – so it’s no wonder the Gin Jubilee is back bigger and better than the last. This year’s edition will see more events, more master classes, more participating bars and bartenders, and a longer celebration as well! Fans will appreciate the fact that this year’s four-day jubilee will be one day longer than last year’s.
Sam Egerton – from popular Sydney speakeasy Charlie Parker's – will kick start the festival on September 13 with a master class at Birch, followed by a guest shift there later in the night.
The jubilee takes it up a notch the next day with an extensive list of master classes and guest shifts lined up. The activities for the day will start with a Citadelle Gin Masterclass featuring Maison Ferrand’s Asia Pacific Brand Ambassador Micaela Piccolo at IKKI Lounge (the same master class will also be held on September 16 at Wholly Spirits exclusively for Time Out KL readers only). There will also be a gin blending workshop at Wholly Spirits by Napue Gin Ambassador Mauricio Allende, and a master class on The West Winds gin, syrups and cordials by Callan Green at Shelley Yu’s. Later that night, Mauricio will be taking over the bar at Pahit, while Nath Arj-Han from Peek-a-Boo Bangkok will be mixing drinks at Jack Rose. Meanwhile, over at Locker & Loft, you can try their special G&Ts made in collaboration with The West Winds Sabre and East Imperial tonic, and Hendrick's Regional Brand Ambassador Tasha Lu's fun masterclass ends with dancing, music and a bar takeover at Ril's Bangsar.
If you want a unique bar hopping experience, go for the ‘St George Switch’ event happening at Birch and Jack Rose on September 15. The bars have collaborated with Grab and Uber to allow you to go back and forth between them for free as long as you have bought the jubilee edition G&Ts at both bars. Also happening that night are guest shifts by Napue’s Mauricio Allende at Skullduggery and Micaela Piccolo at HYDE at 53M.
Making sure things end with a bang, the East Imperial Gin Jubilee’s grand finale, the Gin Lane Street Party will be filled with food, music and even more gin. Participating bars and bartenders at the party are also taking part in a city-wide Best Gin & Tonic competition – you know they’ll be bringing their A game, so don’t miss out on trying any of the G&Ts served that night. The winning bar and bartender will then compete for the ultimate crown for Asia's Best Gin & Tonic at the jubilee's grand finale in Singapore from November 27 to December 3.
30ml The Botanist gin
30ml homemade Fragrance Cabernet Sauvignon (a mixture of Cabernet Sauvignon, fresh red grapes juice, lemongrass and shiso leaves.)
45ml East Imperial Tonic Water
Garnish: Edible flower on top of ice block
Joe says: The word ‘East’ stands for East Imperial and ingredients from the east such as lemongrass and shiso leaves, ‘Islay’ refers to The Botanist Islay Dry Gin, while the ‘Wine’ is the homemade fragrance wine.
30ml Bunga Telang-infused West Winds Cutlass
20ml homemade Thai Cordial
Top up with East Imperial Tonic Water
Garnish: Thai Holy Basil, Mint, Chili and Lemongrass
Anand says: A home-inspired take on a world-classic that brings together flavours of my home and the best qualities of the West Winds Cutlass gin.
45ml Kyro Napue
90ml East Imperial Old World Tonic Water
1 dash The Bitter Truth Peppermint
10ml pandan Juice
Garnish: pandan leaf
Insan says: It’s named ‘Southeast’ because of the pandan flavours, which gives this Gin & Tonic a local twist.
45ml Gin Mare
45ml East Imperial Yuzu Tonic
45ml East Imperial Grapefruit Tonic
Garnish: Fresh strawberry, grated milk chocolate and fresh basil leaves.
Alvin says: Gin Mare is paired with fresh strawberries to balance the sweetness and acidity; grated milk chocolate gives a smooth and creamy taste, while basil leaves gives this a hint of fresh aroma at the finish.
22.5ml St George Botanivore Gin
7.5ml Suze
7.5ml Verjus
35ml clarified carrot juice
100ml East Imperial Tonic Water
Garnish: lemon balm sprigs and pickled carrot
Alvin says: An aperitivo twist on the classic Gin & Tonic that starts out with the botanical base of St George Botanivore Gin that is complemented by the rooty honeyed sweetness of Suze and balanced out by the acidity from unripe grapes. The introduction of carrot juice brings a touch of healthy fruitiness, while the East Imperial Tonic Water provides the citrusy fizziness for an all-around refreshing tipple anytime of the day and night.
60ml Hendricks gin
20ml The Bitter Truth Violet Liqueuer
15ml Luxardo Bitters
15ml Monin Elderflower syrup
20ml lemon juice
4 cloves
6 Juniper berries
Garnish: Purple Orchid
Roymark says: This cocktail is inspired by the World Wars, when there were shortages in food supplies, so the citizens supplied the army with locally grown botanicals from their garden. This Victory Garden became well known in Canada in 1917, so much so that it’s still being served today.
45ml Gin Mare
120ml East Imperial Yuzu Tonic Water
2 drops of Sea Salt Bitters
Pinch of sea salt
Brush of squid ink
Garnish: seaweed
Kelvin says: I like the fresh sea flavour in foods; it's clean and gives you a refreshing feeling that everyone likes. The squid ink gives the drink a dash of the flavours reminiscent of the ocean.
30ml Death's Door Gin
70ml East Imperial Yuzu Tonic Water
2pcs dried candied sweet mango
2 sweet basil leaves
John says: This drink has a little herb and candy, which plays with the straightforward juniper of Death's Door Gin.
60ml stevia-infused Fords Gin
120ml East Imperial Old World Tonic Water
Strawberry
Lemon peel
Thyme
Ali says: A Gin & Tonic inspired by backyard gardens, this drink has the bitter-sweet taste from the stevia-infused Fords Gin that’s mixed with tonic water, as well as strawberry, citrus peel and thyme.
45ml Bombay Sapphire
40ml East Imperial Yuzu Tonic Water
40ml East Imperial Old World Tonic Water
Garnish: Indian mango, red capsicums and edible flowers
Khir says: Inspired by the city Bombay in India, this drink uses Indian mango to provide the tropical flavours, and the hint of spice from the capsicum enhances the flavours from the spices in the gin.
50ml Fords Gin
20ml fresh lime
40ml homemade avocado syrup
1 dash of Scrappy's Chocolate Bitters
Topped up with East Imperial Grapefruit Tonic
Garnish: dehydrated avocado
Desmond says: The rich avocado combined with the full-on citrus notes of Fords Gin and grapefruit tonic water will leave you begging for more!
50ml Death's Door Gin
20ml lemon juice
20ml fresh ginger syrup
3 wheels of muddled cucumber
4 basil leaves
Topped up with East Imperial Old World Tonic Water
Garnish: basil leaves, half-wheel of lemon and cucumber spear
Ebony says: This drink features a beautiful balance of gin with the fresh flavours of basil, cucumber and ginger. You have hints of coriander seeds and fennel from the Death's Door, which makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. The combination of spices in the Old World Tonic Water, when combined with the gin, hits your palate wonderfully.
45ml kaffir lime leaf- and cardamom-infused Bombay Gin
10ml homemade lemon ginger syrup
10ml ginger rice wine
120ml East Imperial Yuzu Tonic Water
30ml Anna sparkling wine
3 lemon wheels
Garnish: lemon jelly and lemon peel
Jovilane says: A very refreshing drink – you can get the spiciness from the ginger and a zesty flavour with hints of floral notes at the finish.
40ml St George Terroir gin
2.5ml grapefruit and pineapple cordial
3 dashes of lavender bitters
Topped up with East Imperial Grapefruit Tonic Water
Garnish: pineapple leaf and grapefruit slice
Mezcal glass rinse
Kibria says: The Rose G&T is a simple twist on the quintessential British favourite, the Pink G&T, and a California highball favourite, The Paloma. Lavender bitters help to lift the floral and foraged flavours of the native botanicals found in St George Terroir, as well as giving it that rosy glow. Light notes of the smoky mezcal and East Imperial Grapefruit Tonic also add a depth of flavour while enhancing the subtle nuances of the St George Terroir gin.
50ml Kyro Napue gin
50ml East Imperial Yuzu Tonic Water
Fresh Cranberry Juice
Garnish: fresh rosemary and dried cranberries
Mattman says: This drink is a twist on the gold medal award-winning Kyro Napue and tonic. Fresh cranberry juice and East Imperial Yuzu Tonic is frozen together in an ice ball, then dropped into the rye-based gin. This is a slowly evolving tipple that grows in flavour and texture as you drink.
60ml Gin Mare
90ml East Imperial Yuzu Tonic Water
6pcs Thai basil
2 cili padis
4 slices of strawberry
1 lemon wheel
Erik says: This is a Thai-influenced G&T that has a tangy spiciness.
45ml West Winds Sabre gin
30ml homemade calamansi syrup infused with star anise and cloves
150ml East Imperial Grapefruit Tonic Water
Garnish: Torch Lily and grapefruit peel
Nik says: This drink is inspired by local Malaysian ingredients, especially from one of my most favourite dishes at our restaurant, The Breaded Catfish Fingers, which uses the Torch Lily.
45ml The Botanist Islay Dry Gin
10ml rose lemongrass syrup
5ml kaffir lime juice
Topped up with East Imperial Burma Tonic Water
Garnish: lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf and kaffir lime wheel.
Mitchell says: The use of ingredients that represent local botanicals in this drink is inspired by the gin and where it comes from. The nature of the botanicals reminds me of my home where we used to plant many different types of beneficial botanicals. Hence, the name of the drink, Botanist Homeyard.
40ml jasmine-infused Citadelle Gin
1 dash of Peach Bitters
Topped up with East Imperial Burma Tonic Water
Garnish: grapefruit peel, pink grapefruit slice, pandan leaf and jasmine flowers
Osmund says: This drink is inspired from the Nusantara word ‘Lestari’, which means a bright and fresh breeze, which is provided by the use of jasmine flowers.
45ml Citadelle Gin
10ml St Germain Elderflower Liqueur
8ml Martini extra dry vermouth
120ml East Imperial Burma Tonic Water
1 wedge of fresh lemon
1 dash of Angostura bitters
1 dash of homemade cardamom bitters
Garnish: orange and lemon peel zest, cloves, anise, cardamom and cinnamon
Kazi says: Jardin Épicé is inspired by its refreshing taste with citrus hint and spices aroma that pairs very well with the East Imperial Burma Tonic Water to give the drink a long finish that stays fresh and herby on your palate with a slight bitterness.
30ml Hendricks gin
20ml homemade lemon rosemary pepper cordial
10ml fresh lemon juice
120 ml East Imperial Yuzu Tonic
2 drops of saline
Garnish: rosemary and cucumber with pepper flakes on top
Jiffy says: This is a refreshing drink with hand-selected botanicals paired with Hendricks.
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