Remember when Australia went through the ‘big’ phase? It was an era of road trips, holidays spent in the car driving to Australia’s ‘big’ attractions - literally. We had the Big banana, big prawn, big Merino sheep and even a big potato (thanks Robertson, NSW for that contribution). Australia went through this weird phase where sticking an oversized fibreglass or concrete version of a fruit, crustacean, sheep or ‘tuber’ was kinda cool and worth pulling over for a picture, maybe a cuppa and to let the kids stretch their legs. In retrospect, they were simpler times. As Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…” It was the age of ‘Big things’.
But what has this got to do with gin? Well, you see we are a nostalgic bunch, our distillery is right next door to the biggest and best of all the ‘BIG’ things – the Big Pineapple. We have nothing but fond memories of the place and a significant soft spot for the fantastic Parfait that we had there. We are so inspired by the delicious Parfait and those awesome old-school adventures that we made a gin that perfectly captures them both – Sunshine and Son’s Pineapple Parfait Gin.
Aside from the nostalgic value, most of the big things have fallen out of fashion. Regulated now to merely conjure up images of long haul drives with the car window down, pent-up rage as siblings dug elbows into each other and finally a few glorious holiday snaps that get poured over during visits to mum and dad’s place.
Sunshine and Son’s Parfait Gin tastes like a holiday. One sip and you’re transported right back to the family holiday. Expect flavours of; Pineapple, passionfruit, strawberry, mango, vanilla and coconut fused to make this delightful and evocative gin.
We enjoy our Parfait Gin in a simple but fruity Gin and Tonic, complemented with a large slice of watermelon but we’ve also tried it with mango and of course pineapple. But, if you’re feeling like something a bit different try mixing with some tropical fruit juice and a hint of grenadine for a perfect Sunny Coast sunset.
Recipe and ingredients – here
Visiting the Big Pineapple was the BEST. DAY. EVER and that Parfait… delicious! Sure things have changed since the halcyon days, but that giant Pineapple is there every day we head into the distillery. There are always a few visitors making the homage or trying some of the new attractions that now operate around the icon and our distillery door is open as well. So, if you’re in the area and want to sample some of our delicious Parfait Gin make sure you drop by.
In the meantime, if you’re feeling a little nostalgic enjoy the ad from the ’80s
Cheers,
The Sunshine and Son’s team.
* Excludes selected product lines - Noosa Festival of Surfing, Kherson Liberation Gin, Patron’s Peace Vodka, The Generals Gin, Greenslander Gin & Woodfordia Dry Gin