Warm Up Your Winter: Distillery Botanica’s Cosy New Tasting Experiences Are Here

Because mulled wine, espresso martinis, and Christmas gin should be parenting essentials.

If winter has you dreaming of warm hands, full glasses, and a little me-time (preferably sans sticky fingers and sibling bickering), then consider this your sign to book that date night or bestie break now. Distillery Botanica—one of Australia’s most charming (and award-winning) gin gardens—has just launched a series of tasting experiences designed to take the edge off winter. And yes, they’re as delicious as they sound.

Located in Erina on the Central Coast of New South Wales, this hidden gem is shaking up the chilly season with new “winter warmer” tasting paddles, twilight tastings, and cocktail classes—all designed for grown-up good times in a lush botanical setting.

Whether you’re planning a couple’s getaway, a girls’ night with actual cocktails (not just a group chat titled “Wine in 3–5 business days”), or even looking for something fun for a mum group to do sans children, Distillery Botanica’s new winter lineup might be just the thing to rehydrate your soul.

Globally Award-Winning Gin, Now With Extra Winter Cosiness

Globally award-winning Distillery Botanica is offering some new winter tasting experiences to warm up visits to the Central Coast distillery during the cooler months.

On weekends in July, visitors to the Erina distillery door can try a new tasting paddle featuring three ‘winter warmers’ including:

• A decadent Chocolate Raspberry Liqueur mulled wine
• An apple gin fizz that tastes like a slice of warm apple pie
• And, to celebrate Christmas in July, Moore’s ‘We Three Kings’ Christmas Gin served with either ginger beer or soda

The Winter Warmer tasting paddle is available on weekends in July and costs $25 per person, including three drinks and a complimentary treat.

Twilight Tastings & Cocktail Classes in August

As the temperatures warm up and the days get longer in August, the distillery is opening its doors into the evening for the very first time for a series of twilight tastings and cocktail classes. On all five Saturdays in August, the distillery will stay open from 4pm–6pm, starting on August 2.

Priced from $15 per person, the twilight tastings (approx. 30 minutes) offer a chance to taste the distillery’s full range and enjoy some canapés as the sun sets over the gin garden. Because is there anything better than sipping gin while pretending you’re in a Nancy Meyers movie?

The Saturday night cocktail classes (from $45) are a fun and interactive way to kickstart a night out or enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif. You’ll learn to make two classic cocktails—like an espresso martini made with their very own Mr Black coffee liqueur. Expect giggles, garnishes, and maybe a few shaky-handed pours.

Year-Round Tastings Still On the Menu

Gin and tonic tasting paddles and general tastings are also available Wednesday to Sunday. Pricing starts at:

• $5 per person for a quick 10-minute bar tasting
• $15 per person for a half-hour sit-down tasting featuring the full Distillery Botanica range (including the We Three Kings Christmas Gin during July)
• $25 per person for a premium tasting paddle of three seasonal half-sized gin & tonics or liqueurs, with garnishes and tasting notes to make you feel like an expert

In addition to the Saturday night cocktail classes, the distillery also offers longer mixology sessions, distillery and garden tours, and even “distil your own” workshops—where you hand-pick botanicals and distil a custom gin or vodka in your own copper still. No previous potion-making experience necessary.

A Little Backstory (Because Parents Love a Good Origin Story)

Distillery Botanica first opened its doors in 2007 as the sixteenth commercial small-scale gin producer in Australia. Founded by award-winning distiller Philip Moore, it quickly established itself as a leader in Australian craft spirits.

Moore’s Dry Gin became the first Aussie gin to win Gold at the prestigious London International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) in 2017—and the accolades haven’t stopped since.

The range includes:

• Moore’s Blood Orange Gin
• Lemon Myrtle Liqueur
• Raspberry Liqueur
• Terrigal Rum
• Vodka

… and newest to the lineup, the ultra-indulgent Pearl Crush Gin and Koko Noir, a raspberry chocolate liqueur that deserves its own fan club.

The Setting: A Garden Wonderland (That Happens to Serve Gin)

One of the best parts? This isn’t your average cellar door. Distillery Botanica is nestled within a serene botanical garden in Erina—a perfect place to unwind, reconnect, and sip in style. It’s private, peaceful, and just far enough off the radar that you’ll feel like you’ve discovered something special.

Opening Hours and Need-to-Know Details

Distillery Botanica is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 11am to 4pm (closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and public holidays). Bookings are essential for cocktail classes, twilight tastings, and group events.

It’s located just a short drive from Terrigal and Avoca, so if you’re planning a weekend away from Sydney, it pairs beautifully with a boutique stay, coastal walk, or even a cheeky massage.

Why It’s Perfect for Parents

Let’s be real—after school lunches, tantrums, and navigating the emotional minefield of “my banana broke,” parents deserve a proper grown-up escape. This is it.

Distillery Botanica offers:

• No noisy kids’ zones
• No cartoon characters
• No judgment if you want to sip quietly with your phone on Do Not Disturb

Instead, you’ll get beautifully crafted drinks, thoughtful hospitality, and space to reconnect—with your partner, your friends, or yourself.

And if you’re in the market for a unique gift? Their bottles are as beautiful as they are drinkable—ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, or even a “Congrats on surviving Term 3” self-reward.

Final Sip

From the first whiff of lemon myrtle to that last sip of mulled wine, Distillery Botanica is more than a tasting—it’s a moment. One that lets parents pause, pour, and appreciate something for themselves.

So, this winter, skip the toy aisles and book a table (or copper still) instead. Whether you’re mixing up an espresso martini under the stars or toasting Christmas in July with festive gin, this is your chance to make winter feel a little warmer—and a lot more delicious.

Ready to book your own escape?
To shop, learn more, or reserve a tasting experience, visit www.distillerybotanica.com

Disclaimer: Sample product was provided. All thoughts and experiences shared are our own.