Pomona Distillery, Pomona. Credit: Tourism & Events Queensland.
Craft gin has made a major comeback in recent years and with so many local botanicals and flavours added to blends, it is easy to see why.
We are making sure your cocktail-cart is stocked with all the best stuff from these top-notch distilleries right here on the Sunshine Coast.
Pomona Distilling Co
Pomona Distilling Co.
Set off the main street of Pomona in what used to be an old bakery 100 years ago, Pomona Distilling Co has been completely rebuilt using heritage timbers and any other reclaimed materials possible.
The real star of the show here – once you get past the delicious scents coming from the kitchen – is their hand-crafted spirits. Alongside their four signature spirits, including a Signature Dry Gin, Pink Gin, Butterfly Pea Flower Gin and Vodka, you will find small-batch blends like a Christmas Gin using native organic botanicals, some foraged straight from Master Distiller and owner, Robin Yates’ Pomona farm.
If gin’s not your thing, don’t worry, there’s a mouth-watering selection of cocktails, wine and beer to keep you happy and refreshed.
Sunshine & Sons
Sunshine & Sons
The distillery Sunshine & Sons, is based right near the Big Pineapple, has been making waves with its range of coastal-inspired spirits, from its traditional dry gin and volcanic rock-filtered vodka to its herbaceous Jet Juice Maroochy River sugarcane spirit and the cold-brew coffee and double roasted macadamia-infused organic molasses spirit – Mr Barista.
If dark spirits are more your thing, these guys released their first rum in early in February 2022 – and it is Australia's first and only organic rum! Look out for the Nil Desperandum label - latin for do not despair.
Beachtree Distilling Co.
Beachtree Distilling Co.
Using organic sugarcane and rainwater the guys at Beachtree Distilling Co. in Caloundra are making a range of Australian-themed gins and vodkas that taste as good as they look.
The botanicals used in the tipples are organically grown, native or wild-harvested and are combined with charcoal filtered rainwater to create a product with no artificial flavours, colours, preservatives or sweeteners. Naturally delicious. With stunning labels, you won’t be able to pass up taking a bottle home!
Fortune Noosa
Tucked away in the industrial estate in Noosa (inside Land & Sea Brewery) is where you’ll find Fortune Noosa’s distillery churning out gin and boy, is it worth a visit. Make the effort to visit and not only can you sample (and buy) their dry gin, infused with botanicals like lemongrass, honeydew and green tea, but you’ll be able to knock back a few cocktails at their very gin-focused bar.
Eumundi Distillers
Folktale Gin at Eumundi Distillery
The Imperial Hotel is also home to Eumundi Distillers - a fabulous gin bar serving up handcrafted Folktale Gin.
The small batch gins are crafted on-site at the hotel in a custom-built copper still using traditional ingredients combined with native Australian lemon and anise myrtles, pepperberry and local Cooroy Mountain spring water.
In addition to the signature gins and their vodka, the team will also be releasing a range of seasonal varieties – each with its own personality and delicate flavour profile. These will only be available at the Tasting Bar at The Imperial Hotel Eumundi.
20 20 Distillery
20 20 Distillery
20 20 Distillery will be remembered for much more favourable reasons than the year itself. Dedicated to making high-quality spirits using high-end ingredients, 20 20’s boutique booze artisans are putting their best foot forward with the debut drops – an East London Dry Gin containing just seven botanicals and a single-malt whisky distilled in a traditional copper pot, old-school-style. You can get a taste from the distillery’s on-site tasting room in Cooroy.
To accompany you on your spirit-tasting journey, 20 20 is also offering a selection of tasting boards with cheese, charcuterie and dips that shine a light on local produce sourced within a 100-mile radius.
Diablo Co.
Diablo Oasis Bar
In addition to their hero drink – the sweet and spicy Diablo Alcoholic Ginger Beer – the guys at Diablo Co. have whipped up a selection of three vodka products, three rums, nine liqueurs and a gin.
Paying homage to Dimi Limnatitis’ homeland, the Azure Mediterranean Gin has been specially designed with a Mediterranean flavour.
Head to Woombye every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 1pm-5pm, where you’ll find the Diablo Australia offering 'Tastings on the Deck'.
Seabourne
One of the newest kids on the block, Seabourne has popped up in Noosaville.
Serving up just two tipples, a Coastal Dry Gin and a Berry Blush Gin, there is a focus on quality over quantity here.
Pull up a chair and enjoy an exciting gin-blending class, an interesting distillery tour or simply sip on Seabourne's signature gins.
Steampunk Distillery
A home-based distilling business putting their own spin on local gin and vodka, Steampunk Distillery started off just this year.
You can visit the farm on weekends by appointment only, but you can also taste their dry gin, lemon eucalypt gin, classic vodka and ‘Matron’ gin at local café Frankies in Woombye or pick up a bottle at Cellarbrations in Nambour. If you love it, you can buy more online!
Twelve and a Half Acres
The Sunshine Coast's newest gin is produced in the hills of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland at Twelve and a Half Acres. A former pineapple, banana and paw paw farm, the gin here is distilled using local botanicals grown onsite like lemon myrtle and wormwood.
Try their Montville Dry Gin, The Commodore Navy Strength Gin, Lemon Myrtle Gin, Liquorice Gin, and Citrus & Spice Gin. There is an exciting absinthe product line is on the horizon, and it might just be ready in time for Christmas!
Botanik Spirit School
Botanik Spirit School offers the chance to play distiller for an afternoon.
Start on your creative journey with a selected cocktail featuring a signature Botanik Gin or Vodka based on the flavours you would like to explore for your own crafted spirit.
Select your botanicals under guidance from the experts and create a balanced Gin or Botanical Vodka of your very own!
Your creativity doesn't have to end yet, brainstorm a great name for your spirit, finalise your label and seal your bottle with wax whilst you enjoy your second cocktail of the day.
Coming soon…
Stillmaker and Sons Distillery
Artisan distillery, Stillmaker and Sons, is currently aging their single malt whisky in Montville. Stay tuned for their first release!
Why not localise your bar cart with some of Southeast Queensland’s best craft spirits and visit them all!
Did you know?
An ancient drink is making a comeback right here on the Sunshine Coast. Amrita Park Meadery is pouring out honey-based tipples that will delight your tastebuds in the Noosa Hinterland town of Pomona. From Traditional Mead, to Ginger & Lime Mead made with local produce, there is plenty to taste and learn.
Open Saturdays from 11am to 5pm, experience a guided tasting and learn all about the art of mead-making as you sample.