7 Ways to Cope with Lock Down

ways to cope with lock down, red alcoholic beverage with fosseys original gin bottle, lemon, ice, strawberry & lime on wooden bench in front of foilage

7 ways to cope with lock down

ways to cope with lock down, red alcoholic beverage with fosseys original gin bottle, lemon, ice, strawberry & lime on wooden bench in front of foilage
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At Fossey’s we put our heads together to come up with 7 ways to cope with lock down this time around for our fabulous community.

We know a lot of folks are really feeling quite angry and anxious about the way things are in Victoria right now. And we feel the first first lock down was definitely quite a different mood to this one. Many Victorian’s are wondering just how they are going to cope with stage four restrictions, when stage 3 was brutal enough already. 

We feel your pain and the ever creatives here at Fossey’s, have come up with sure-fire ways to help you cope with this lock down even better this round. 

So, we have come up with 7 unique isolation cocktails for you to busy yourself in the kitchen with.

Here we go with our fabulous Fossey’s Isolation Cocktail recipes are created by Nathan (everyone’s favourite bearded bar man in the Still):

  1. Mildura Sunrise
  • Top a large glass with some crushed ice
  • Add 1 shot of Fossey’s Navel Gin
  • Top with orange juice
  • Add a dash of raspberry on top
  • Garnish with a fancy schmancy umbrella
  1. Pink Lemonade
  • Top a large glass with some crushed ice
  • Add 1 ½ shots of Fossey’s Broken Heel Gin
  • Top up with half lemonade and half orange juice
  • Add a dash of raspberry cordial
  • Garnish with some lemon quarters
  1. The Vodka Caprioska
  • Use a smaller glass and just a scoop of ice
  • Cut the tails off a lime, and slice into quarters
  • Add the lime quarters and some brown sugar into a glass and muddle together
  • Top with 2 shots of Fossey’s vodka and stir it all together
  • Garnish with a lime wedge and feel fancy
  1. The Lake Cullulleraine (usually called a cape codder)
  • Served in a small glass with a small scoop of ice
  • Add 1 shot of Fossey’s vodka
  • Served with a splash of cranberry juice
  • Garnish with some fresh mint (from the supermarket if need be)
  1. The Breakfast Martini
  • Combine a spoon of Gin Jam
  • A shot of Fossey’s Original Gin
  • Half a lemon squeezed
  • Shake in a cocktail mixer vigorously and strain into a martini glass

  • Garnish with a lemon peel

  • 6. The Monday? Or is it Wednesday?

  • In a tall glass
  • Add 1 shot of Aperol and 1 shot of Fossey’s Shiraz Gin over crushed ice
  • Top with half orange juice and half Prosecco
  • Garnish with orange slices
  • 7. The Don’t Tell the Kids It’s Whisky

Ingredients

Method

  1. Muddle together the fresh mint, sugar and lime in a tall glass.
  2. Load with ice,
  3. Add the whisky and top up with soda water.

My suggestion to enjoy these to the fullest is connecting over FaceTime with friends or family. I think it makes lock down go faster. It also does not seem as isolating if you to continue to share a drink and laugh with friends even if it is through screens. 

Bottoms up & chin chin, gin lovers!

Until next time,

Fossey’s Ginspired Blogger Girl

Narelle Fraser

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3 Hot Tips on How to Drink Gin in Winter

Fossey's Gin Toddy in front of a fire with 2 shot glasses

3 Hot Tips on how to
drink gin in winter

Fossey's Gin Toddy in front of a fire with 2 shot glasses
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Why would I write an article explaining how to drink gin in winter? It seems a little odd I guess, but bear with me. There is a method to my madness.

Before I delve into the best practice of gin drinking in our coldest months, let me ask a question, it just me or has it been extra cold this winter?

Maybe it’s the dim state of the world at the moment which is making it feel even colder, but I am certain I have been shivering more than usual this winter. I long for Mildura summer days and warm mornings instead of minus 2 degrees. I long for sitting in the Fossey’s Distillery garden enjoying an ice-cold Broken Heel & tonic with my friends!

Given none of us can do anything about the weather (much to my disgust), it is really is another excuse to drink more of our favourite beverages (let’s face it any excuse will do), not only to warm our insides but also make time pass a little faster! Anything to help us reach summer quicker in my book!

Here’s 3 hot tips on how to drink gin in winter:

  1. Drink Fossey’s Chilli Gin

Our sizzling Fossey’s Chilli Gin is not too far from being released! And as far as a warming tipple you cannot go past this one! It is absolutely gintastic and will be available for purchase in a couple of short weeks! On cold days it great as an accompaniment to a long winter brunch. It takes Bloody Mary’s next level because of its perfect amount of hotness. Plus, the ghost chilli and cardi scorpion chilli are grown locally. Pop this heart starter on your list when it’s released because I have it on good authority, it will be very, very limited.

  1. Fossey’s Gin Toddy

Probably the most warming of our gin in our current range is the Gin Toddy! You can have it as a hot gin toddy or it is excellent neat! Replace your normal G&T with a Toddy when the temperature dips!

Even Queen Lizzie loves a tipple of Toddy in the palace each night.  I can see why. London is colder than Mildura and it stands to reason, Toddy is her drink of choice, after dark. 

Speaking of the Queen, did you know our head ginnovator, Steve Timmis, actually sent Her Majesty a bottle of Fossey’s Toddy as a gift? But here’s the most gin-credible bit, he actually received a written thank you from Buckingham Palace in the most luxurious stationery. As you can imagine, it was very gin-citing for our little gin joint, to receive a letter from the Queen.

  1. Drink Mulled Wine

Whip up a fabulous batch of mulled wine for your good self on those wintery days and nights. 

Here’s how:

INGREDIENTS

4 Litres of sweet red wine

2 Orange, sliced into half

24 Cloves (puncture the cloves into the orange skin)

8 Cinnamon Quills

6 Star Anise

2 Whole Nutmeg’s Crushed

200ml Orange Juice

150g Sugar

200ml Fossey’s Original Gin Elixir

Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, and heat just barely to a simmer over medium-high heat.  (Be careful not to boil the mulled wine — you don’t want to boil off the alcohol.) Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes or up to 3 hours.
  2. Strain, and serve warm with your desired garnishes
  3. Sit by the fire, sipping it over great conversation with your loved ones.

There you have it, friends of Fossey’s. My 3 hot tips on how to drink gin in winter. Of course, Fossey’s is always warm throughout winter with a beautiful fireplace, comfy couches, a fire pit and heaters out in the garden. It really is the perfect venue all year round and of course, gin, whisky or vodka are the perfect drinks too!

Bottoms up & chin chin, gin lovers!

Until next time,

Fossey’s Ginspired Blogger Girl

Narelle

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Fossey’s at Sipafrolic 2023!

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Thirteen Fantastic Venues in Mildura

one of the hottest venues in Mildura Fossey's Distillery

thirteen fantastic
venues in mildura

one of the hottest venues in Mildura Fossey's Distillery
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Thirteen Fantastic Venues in Mildura

Whilst Melbourne has been locked down, Mildura remains open for business. And thank the sweet gin lord for that! I know so many of us didn’t enjoy not being able to socialise in the last lockdown. But have revelled in being able to catch up with friends at our favourite haunts since restrictions were relaxed.

Today I am going reveal thirteen fantastic venues in Mildura to help you decide where to hang out with your mates and enjoy the freedom we have in our sensational town.

Here we go, in no particular order:

  1. Thai Riffic – Truly one of the best places to eat in Mildura. With the most intimate setting, the food is to die for and service second to none. The only problem with Thai Riffic is it’s so delicious, I find it difficult to STOP eating!
  2. Brass Monkey – A unique & friendly atmosphere awaits at this trendy establishment. Service is quick and food is a delight to the taste buds. I usually get the Feed Me package which is great value and leaves me feeling incredibly spoilt.
  3. Sip – One of the locals’ favourites and possibly the hippest bar in Mildura. My personal favourite is their hot chips which are always crispy and beautifully seasoned. The service is fast, friendly & fantastic. I also appreciate Sip’s commitment to creating less landfill by using gluten free pasta tubes as straws instead of plastic ones. Now that’s impressive!
  4. Café 1909 – This is undoubtedly the most scenic venue in Mildura. River views make this place picturesque! My recommendation is to soak up the glorious winter sunshine out on the decking overlooking the river whilst enjoying a beautiful meal, served by friendly staff.
  5. Pizza Café – This little gem right in the city heart, offers a casual setting where you can sit inside or take advantage of the alfresco dining. You can enjoy well priced meals of pasta, antipasto, focaccias, salads and more. Relax in the friendly ambience as you enjoy the aromas of the wood ovens or sit al fresco and soak up the Mildura sunshine.
  6. Botanica – Enjoy the culinary delights of Chef Dag & Co. In the relaxed atmosphere dining room with large tables and comfortable seating. With over 30 year’s experience, Chef Dag has introduced a menu of modern Australian cuisine utilising the array of local produce found in Sunraysia. Botanica pride themselves on providing Mildura a place to eat with great food and service and find much joy in seeing people enjoy experiencing the food they have created. Definitely one to pop on your list of must visits!
  7. Corporate Moose – A groovy bar in the city heart with such a fun atmosphere. I love catching up here with friends later in the evening. It’s excellent for a late snack after having a few drinks too. I particularly like the American theme. It is different to anything in Mildura and kind of reminds me of the movies.
  8. Sunraysia Cellar Door – This is great hang out for drinks on a Friday night after work. I have spent many evenings enjoying laughs and fine wine with friends at Mildura’s iconic and wonderfully unique, Cellar Door. The relaxed atmosphere is a pleasure and the crowd are always good value too.
  9. Mildura Brewery – A Mildura icon located in the city heart! This is another super unique venue in our great town! It’s an ultra-cool place with loads of energy & atmosphere. Food is generally pub menu favourites and the service is always friendly!
  10. Stefano’s Restaurant – The fabulously famous Stefano De Pieri owns this wonderful Mildura eatery! Dine in the glowing cellars of The Grand Hotel in the evening for something incredibly special and an experience you will never forget! Stefano’s food is always second to none and the service is the same. Definitely include this on your “Must Visit List” for your next special night out.
  11. Spanish Bar & Grill – This is Mildura’s one and only dedicated wood fired grill and steakhouse. Think open fire cooking in a setting that is warm and inviting. Service is welcoming and happy! The setting is beautiful.
  12. Fasta Pasta – Seriously it’s fast! I have had the yummiest pasta at this venue. It’s quick & is on your table before you know it!
  13. Fossey’s Distillery – And of course, last but not least, Fossey’s! Trip Advisors number 1 rated place to visit in Mildura! Need I say anymore? It’s fun, friendly, warm and has the BEST gin on the planet. You will not be disappointed from a visit to Fossey’s Distillery. This, I can 100% guarantee.

There you have it, folks! A list of thirteen fantastic venues in Mildura for you to relax and enjoy our freedom this weekend. Make the most of it, I say!

If you have any other venues you think I should have included on this list, by all means shoot me a message on our Facebook page or email me info@fosseysgin.com.au and I will be sure to check it out for myself. We LOVE supporting local businesses & can make another list of venues nominated that I have left off this one. For more info about great places to see, Visit Mildura has a plethora of information which is sure to help greatly! 

Bottoms up & chin chin, gin lovers!

Until next time,

Fossey’s Ginspired Blogger Girl

Narelle

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Fossey’s at Sipafrolic 2023!

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What is Gin Made From?

smiling woman at a bar

What is gin made from?

smiling woman at a bar
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Australia’s Best Gin Distillery Reveals it’s Point of Difference 

Today I am going to delve into what gin is made from but first a moment of appreciation for our majestic Distillery. 

I walked into Fossey’s on Friday night and let out a sigh of happiness. I felt like I was returning home! And it was so wonderful to see our regulars again and a lot of new faces too.

Fossey’s Distillery in Mildura

If you have ever been to Fossey’s, I reckon you will know what I mean when I say it’s such a heart-warming place. The staff are Fossey’s style friendly. They always have smiles on their faces when welcoming anyone into our little Gin Joint.

I love the way we can curl up in front of the fire in comfy armchairs, catching up with friends over some Fossey-licious creations. Cheeseboards are a particular favourite of mine! They are good value too at $20 each. They include sweet & savoury treats most people will enjoy.

Another thing, I love about the Fossey’s intimate setting is it means we don’t have to raise our voices when chatting. This may seem like a small thing but when I want to catch up with friend’s who I have not seen for a while, this is a blessing.

Anyway, as a newbie to the gin world, I have been on a little bit of journey into everything gin! I have found it fascinating to learn the process of how it is made & what sorts of ingredients are in it.

I credit both Steve (head distiller pictured above) & Tash (distiller) for being an gin-credible source of knowledge when explaining how Fossey’s makes our tantalising elixirs. 

Gin Facts: 

  1. Gin is derived from any neutral base spirit – (Fossey’s make it from locally grown grapes. Not seeds.)
  2. Juniper Berries are the key ingredient of Gin.
  3. A number of additional botanicals can be added to flavour the gin.
  4. Gin has a minimum final strength of 37.5% ABV (Alcohol by Volume).
  5. No artificial ingredients are allowed to be added to gin.

What is the Difference Between Gin & Vodka?

Gin is any white or neutral based spirit such as vodka. However, to classify it as gin, botanicals are added and one of them must be juniper berries. 

What are Botanicals then?

Botanicals are an array of various natural flavourings which are plant based. Fossey’s uses a very unique & diverse range which are usually native to the Mildura area where our Distillery is located.

Fossey’s 9 dried botanicals:

  1. Juniper Berries (what defines gin & formally known as genever)
  2. Coriander Seeds
  3. Green cardamom pods
  4. Cassia bark (Australian cinnamon)
  5. Anise Myrtle (Australian native – aniseed flavour)
  6. Lemon Myrtle Leaf
  7. Mountain Pepperberry Leaf (Australian native)
  8. Edible Lavender (Bella Lavender in Berri)
  9. Organic Angelica root
gin botanicals corriander seed, juniper berry, cassia bark, cardamom pods, anise myrtle, lemon myrtle leaf, mountain pepperberry leaf, Edible lavender, Organic Angelica root
Botanicals used in Fossey’s gin

In the UK & most of Europe, citrus peel used in gin is dried. But at Fossey’s we embrace fresh citrus from the local area & it is added to our gin exactly that way.

Citrus used in Fossey’s Gin are:

  1. Lemon
  2. Orange
  3. Bergamot
  4. Tangelo

This really sets Fossey’s gin apart from most others & is something the Distillers are particularly proud of.

Why is the gin ABV minimum 37.5%?

Anything with ABV below 37.5% will not preserve the botanicals & this is considered to be essential for making quality gin.

Well there you go! The lowdown on gin. I must admit I swell a little with pride knowing Fossey’s use mostly locally sourced botanicals & fresh citrus in our creations.

Fossey’s truly is a unique Australian gin handcrafted from the heart. If it’s been awhile since you have sat down for one of our tipples, it’s high time you had a reminder of why it’s the best Australian gin. Order online today & make sure you are organised for the weekend. 

Bottoms up & chin chin, gin lovers!

Until next time,

Fossey’s Ginspired Blogger Girl

Narelle

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7 Proven Ways to Prevent a Hangover

7 proven ways to prevent a hangover after a big night fossey's gin garden

7 proven Ways to
prevent a hangover

7 proven ways to prevent a hangover after a big night fossey's gin garden
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Oh, the excitement at Fossey’s was tangible this week. All the team were over the moon at the thought of having our Fossey’s community back in the Distillery Thursday. Walking through our beautiful gin joint Monday, there was a flurry of activity and a spring in everyone’s step. Cleaning, primping, pruning, gardening, restocking…you name it, the place was in a jolly spin.

Finally, we are allowed to get back to their favourite haunts to catch up with our mates over a few G&T’s! It has been a long time coming. And given it’s been (what feels like) an eternity since we have been able to socialise, I can imagine there will be a few sore heads this weekend. So, I thought it may be timely to list 7 proven ways to prevent a hangover.

Now I know I am stating the obvious when I say, the best way to avoid a hangover is not to drink in the first place. But I ask you, is that realistic? I think not.

I say enjoy your G&T’s without the worry of suffering from the inevitable & dreaded hangover the next day. Here’s how you can let your hair down, knowing you will wake up brand new the next day:

  1. Drink gin, rum or vodka.

 Seriously. They are low congener beverages which means they are not as likely to cause hangovers. Darker spirits like whisky & bourbon are exceptionally high in congeners & therefore, more hangover inducing. Whereas, gin has very little congeners and vodka has almost none at all. Here’s to Fossey’s Vodka & Gin for the win!

  1. Drink plenty of water.

Alcohol causes dehydration. Hence the dry mouth, thirst, headache & tiredness the day after a big night. The simple way to counteract this is by drinking more water. Lemonade, Coke etc don’t count because they are high in sugar. Stick to water if you want to prevent or lessen your hangover suffering.

  1. Sleep.

Sleeping is proven to help prevent a hangover. After a big night I give myself permission to sleep longer, knowing it will pay off later in the day. Ignore the nay sayers who say “no sympathy for self-induced symptoms”. You deserve a rest after the last 3 or so months in uncertainty & isolation. You do you, boo.

  1. Eat a nutritious breakfast.

Having a good breakfast, the day after a big night out on the turps is one of the proven ways to prevent a hangover. It raises your blood sugar which can be lowered with alcohol consumption. This helps crush the weakness and headache you may feel. Sounds like a great excuse to chow down on poached eggs with toast! I am in.

  1. Stock up on Supplements.

Some suggestions are double up on Vitamin B, drink acai or pomegranate juice before getting stuck into your Fossey’s favs.  Apparently, these supplements contain high levels of antioxidants which can help stop the symptoms of a hangover. Where in the heck do I find pomegranate juice? Think I will stick to Berocca’s, thanks.

  1. Eat salmon before you drink.

Drinking on an empty stomach is not recommended! It would most likely result in a killer sore head & being rough as guts the next day. But why salmon? Well it’s high in omega-3 fatty acids which can give your liver a leg up to detox your body quicker! Here’s to smashing down a delicious crispy salmon before hitting Fossey’s in future. Fish breath & all. 

  1. Avoid herbal teas.

Sounds weird doesn’t it? But herbal tea makes your body process alcohol slower. Therefore, prolonging the hangover. Ain’t nobody got time for that. Skip the peppermint tea with your breaky. Opt for a water or orange juice instead.

There you have it, folks, 7 proven ways to prevent a hangover. Let me know if you have any more tips on how to make sure your big nights out aren’t soured by the thought of how you will pull up the next day. 

Bottoms up & chin chin, gin lovers!

Until next time,

Fossey’s Ginspired Blogger Girl

Narelle

Sources:

1. Healthline

2. Cosmopolitan 

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Fossey’s at Sipafrolic 2023!

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Why is gin known as “Mother’s Ruin”?

"Mother's ruin", Fossey's Naval Stregth Gin

Why is Gin known as “Mother’s Ruin”?

"Mother's ruin", Fossey's Naval Stregth Gin
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The history behind gin being nicknamed “mother’s ruin”

You may have heard gin referred to as “Mother’s Ruin” before. I prefer to think of it as “Mummy’s Little helper” as I know it certainly eases my nerves when around demanding kids! But I did wonder where the rather unfair nickname came from and went on a little journey discovering how this unfolded.

To understand how it came about we have to go way back in time, 330 years. As you know (from my previous blog), the Dutch were the original creators of gin.  The British military only adopted it after noticing how courageous the Dutch soldiers were once, they had their prescribed tipple. This was the origin of the saying “Dutch Courage”.

In 1690, King William III passed a law called the “Distillers Act”. The Act meant wine & brandy importation were restricted. But the public could produce pure alcohol for free at home.  This meant almost every Tom, Dick & Harry started creating their own juniper spirits. However, to their detriment, the spirit was not made with high quality grains as the Dutch version.

The English used low quality grains cut with methylated spirits & turps to make their spirits. Then they flavoured it with juniper berries and anything else they could find locally to mask the disgusting taste of the turps and metho! This series of events led to the period which became known as the “Gin Craze”.

The English public continued on consuming their home-made concoctions until 1720 when the “Mutiny Act” was bought in. It meant anyone creating alcohol wouldn’t have to have soldiers staying with them.

This boosted local gin production greatly. Meaning by 1730, there were in excess of 7000 gin shops in London! Three years later, the average Joe Blow was consuming about 1.3 litres of gin each week! Gin literally was created in 1 out of 3 buildings in old London town.

Today’s gin strength pales in comparison to the elixir in 1733 being 160 proof! As you can imagine, it meant it was gin-credibly gin-toxicating. The other factor making it so extraordinarily lethal was it was not being sipped like a Fossey’s G&T…ah no…rather guzzled in huge amounts such as 500ml per day.

Think of it like drinking a bottle of Fossey’s Naval Strength x 3 per day!

It wasn’t long before misery, crime rates, madness & death rates soared, whilst birth rates fell. The English Gin Joints permitted women to join men in their gin guzzling for the first time. This was blamed for causing high child neglect. Worse still, many women became prostitutes to pay for their rather excessive drinking habits which is why gin eventually earned itself the nickname “Mother’s Ruin”.

There you have it!

Now you know the reason the humble and seemingly innocent gin has been known as “Mother’s Ruin”. All I can say is thank god the gin of today is not made from metho and turps. Gosh imagine that! Blah!

Enjoy your gins over the weekend, knowing, thankfully, you are in much safer hands with Fossey’s, than the English gin drinkers 300 years ago. 

Bottoms up & chin chin, gin lovers!

Until next time,

Fossey’s Ginspired Blogger Girl

Narelle

Source

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Fossey’s at Sipafrolic 2023!

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7 Things You Didn’t Know About Gin

7 things you didn't know about gin

7 things you didn't know about gin

7 things you didn't know about gin
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A must read for every gin enthusiast
7 Things You Didn’t Know About Gin

In case you didn’t know, it’s World Gin Day this Saturday! And even though in Victoria, we really can’t celebrate at the fabulous Fossey’s Distillery, it certainly warrants a few tipples…well then again, as if we needed an excuse! 

There’s really nothing much better than kicking back with a few friends, laughing & conversing over a few G&T’s. This Saturday, I know I won’t be holding back & just may put away a number of Broken Heel Gin’s with Fever Tree Tonic! (If you have not tasted Broken Heel, you really are missing out) I daresay I may have a sore head on Sunday to show for my celebratory drinks but nothing that can’t be fixed with a hearty breakfast and possibly a couple of Panadols or even another gin. But shh…better not to think of that at this point. Focus on the Fossey’s fun to be had first and foremost!

Y’all know I hadn’t given much thought to gin before I started working for Fossey’s but since landing my dream job (I am not even joking) I have come to learn quite a bit about our fabulous elixir and I reckon these are 7 things you didn’t know about gin! See how many of this list you already knew.

1. What is “Dutch Courage”?

You have most likely heard the term “Dutch Courage”? But do you know where it originated? Well, gin is actually well-known for its calming effects. During the Thirty Years War the Dutch army was apparently aware of this side-effect, because they were known to ration portions to their soldiers prior to battle to calm their nerves. It is said that the English army caught wind of this habit, and was amused to see the difference in the Dutch after having their rations! Contrary to popular opinion, it was the Dutch, not the English, who first made gin!

Nowadays, everybody knows the British are its biggest fans but the juniper-led spirit originated from Holland and was brought to England in the early 1600’s by British soldiers after the aforementioned war!

2. Gin can be and was, used for medicinal purposes!

As far back as 1269, was the first major mention of juniper-based health-related tonics when they appeared in a Dutch publication. Ever since, gin has had a history of being used “for medicinal purposes.” The Royal Navy mixed gin with lime cordial to stop scurvy, and angostura settled the stomach at sea. Tonic water with quinine was anti-malarial, giving them a great excuse to drink more gin and tonics. And can you believe, In India, Gin was used to make tonic water and cinchona mixture, a more palatable taste to combat malaria? Then in the 17th century, it was prescribed by doctors & readily available in European chemists. It was used to treat everything from kidney infections to stomach issues! You won’t believe that gin even became so popular it was found on every street corner in England! (Source)

3. Junipers are loaded with antioxidants

Although Juniper is a seed, it is nearly identical to a blueberry. And just like blueberries, junipers are loaded with antioxidants. The bitter seed is effective in fighting infection, aiding digestion, and relieving bloating. You see? Now it makes sense that gin is considered medicinal! (Source)

4. Which movie is the line “Shaken, not stirred” from? 

You guessed it! Thanks goes to the James Bond movie franchise, the martini became the most sought-after cocktail, made from a mixture of gin and dry vermouth. Thank you, 007!

5. Fire-water? Ah..literally?

Does the term “Navy strength” ring a bell? It is definitely the clear favourite of Fossey’s head distiller, Steve Timmis and gin-credibly talented distiller, Tash. But besides loving a great tipple, legend has it the Navy used gunpowder to ensure the gin they were receiving was high quality. The gin would be poured onto gunpowder, and the strength confirmed by seeing how well it lit. Talk about being super serious about the strength of your gin!

6. Gin is to thank for Dr. Suess! 

Did you know that gin is responsible for the pen name of beloved children’s “Cat in the Hat” author Dr. Suess? He was actually born, Theodor Suess Geisel & as a young man he was editor of a campus newspaper during his years at Dartmouth University. Tragically, or as it turned out, not so tragically, he was fired from his role after being caught smuggling GIN into his dorm room in 1925 (peak prohibition days). Determined to continue writing, he submitted all of his articles using just the name “Suess,” and later added “Dr.” to the beginning. (Source)

7. And my favourite one…Gin is not a depressant but aids weight loss.

Yep you read right! A Latvian study by researchers from the Sigulda University (sounds legit) found G&T boosts our body’s ability to burn calories for one hour after drinking it. Another gin-teresting fact is antioxidant-rich juniper speed up your metabolism. Doesn’t that gin-formation just make you want you to stock up and drink up – all in the name of good health & fitting into your jeans?

There you have it, folks. 7 things you didn’t know about gin. Now you know these fun facts about gin, I am sure you will feel a lot better about getting stuck into 1 or 2…or 7. Whatever…who’s counting, right? After all, it is World Gin Day!

Bottoms up & chin chin, gin lovers!

Until next time,

Fossey’s Ginspired Blogger Girl

Narelle

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The Tale of Fossey’s

Steve Timmis standing in the Fossey's Distillery

the Fascinating tale of fossey's

Steve Timmis standing in the Fossey's Distillery
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 Where it all started

Fingers crossed the Distillery will be open again soon! We are all looking forward to it. But, until it does and we get to socialise together, I am going to tell you the tale of the fascinating tale of Fossey’s history & how it all started!

Grab a G&T, make yourself comfortable and relax into the story how Mildura got it’s very own Distillery…

The Fossey name was married into the family in the early 1900’s and as was tradition then, it was given as the middle name to the first-born son John Fossey, known to everyone as “Foss”.

A name that stood out, those who have it as their own have been of creative mind. Of pioneering spirit. Of being eloquently misunderstood and proudly so.

Fossey’s have lived by principles and ideologies that have been passed down through generations and become known as Fosseylosophies which we have based our Fossey’s Gin business principles on.

Bite off more than you can chew, then chew like crazy.

Foss’s Grandmother, who he never met, raised 6 children alone, while running a pub in Ludlow, the area where our Fossey’s Gin Juniper berries come from. One son, Albert, migrated to Australia and married Elsie Vera. Small
in stature but big in spirit nothing would faze her. Bringing up 4 children (one of them Foss) in Koorlong before established roads and power, Elsie rolled up her sleeves and got on with the job. Growing up in the sticks, Foss thought the best things he had ever seen were running water and knives with a serrated edge. Were these the things to ginspire big ideas and Fosseylosophies?

Who knows? His execution of big ideas could be somewhat erratic at times and misguided at best, but Foss was an original entrepreneur. Pioneering land well outside of Mildura and of otherwise no use, Foss went on to create something that is still an icon of Mildura today –Timmis Speedway.

Not stopping there, along with his young family, Foss farmed a property in Mourquong. Growing fresh fruit still to this day, this particular block is where our Fossey’s Original Gin Elixir bergamot oranges and tangelo’s are grown.

But how does Foss fit in with Fossey’s Gin?

Father to our Master Ginnovator, we are bought to the present day where the pioneering spirit and big ideas are as strong as ever, only perhaps with a slightly more straight forward strategy to implementation, the fundamentals of Fosseylosophies live on in our approach to developing something truly unique.

Why gin? Why not?

It encompasses everything we want to represent.
First class second to none products.
Creative interpretation of, well, everything.
Good fun, good times, good friends, good drink.
Big ideas in a small space with a deadline of yesterday.

And family.

This fascinating tale of Fossey’s was originally written by Cherie Gowers – Manager of Fossey’s Distillery and daughter of the Head Ginnovator, Steve Timmis. 

Next time we meet, I hope I have good news we can all catch up for a drink in the Distillery because it’s open again. 

Chin chin & have a great week! 

Gin-Spired Blogger Girl

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January 17, 2023 No Comments

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What is World Gin Day?

What is World Gin Day

What is world Gin Day?

What is World Gin Day
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World Gin Day is fast approaching. Saturday 13th of June is the ultimate day of celebrating all things gin!  

You may recall the Fossey’s Festivities of World Gin Day 2019! Where we took over the lane way next to our building and celebrated like no one else with gin-mazing drag queens performing, magicians, dancers, acrobats, fire throwers, live music, fabulous food, loads of fun and of course, everything GIN!

It certainly was a day/night to be remembered!

From the moment the doors opened last year, it was glamour, glitz and Fossey’s unique quirkiness. We love throwing a good party and before all of the isolation restrictions were put in place, we had plans to run something even BIGGER and BETTER this year! But, alas, it will have to wait until 2021 for us to kick our heels up to celebrate the wonder that is gin! 

What is it?

Now, you could possibly be asking “what is World Gin Day?” Before starting at Fossey’s I had no idea such a day even existed. So, when I heard of this very magical and somewhat mysterious day, I went looking to find out the origins & how others celebrate it around the world.

I learned that “the concept is simple…get people enjoying gin together all over the world” and that this day even is special enough to have it’s on website

According to Emma Stokes aka Gin Monkey on worldginday.com World Gin Day is “A day for everyone and anyone (over drinking age of course…!) to celebrate and enjoy gin! Whether you’re already a fan of the juniper spirit, or looking for an intro, World Gin Day is the perfect opportunity to get involved.

When is it?

It is always the second Saturday in June. This means the date moves around a little year on year, but to make the most of the day we like to give you the Sunday to recover….”

Who started World Gin Day?

“World Gin Day itself was actually founded by Neil Houston in 2009, a very bright idea to bring his friends together to drink gin in Birmingham!” Clearly it has grown a lot from its very humble beginnings and simple concept of just getting a few friends together to enjoy a gin or two!

Sadly, due to the pandemic in London, the day has gone online this year. 

I, for one, am praying restrictions are lifted really soon. I don’t know about you, but I cannot wait to get back to the Distillery to have a few cheeky gins on a Friday night!

Until next time! Chin chin & bottoms up gin lovers!

Gin-spired Blogger Girl

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How to Drink Whisky like an Expert

How to Drink Whisky Like an Expert

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Learning to drink whisky like an expert

STOP PRESS!

I now know how to drink whisky like an expert!

If you have been following my blog you would know that it was World Whisky Day on Saturday! This apparently is a big deal in the whisky world – who knew? I confess, I have never really cared much for whisky, thinking it was a little masculine for my liking and more suited to the John Wayne types of the world. I have always been more of a white spirit gal and saw no reason to change. But since morphing into the Ginspired Blogger Girl, it being World Whisky Day and seeing as Fossey’s DO make the best Australian whisky, I decided I should just give it a crack.

After some discussion with the head distiller, Steve Timmis, at Fossey’s, I decided I didn’t want the smoked whisky (peated) and was going to try the Single Malt Single Barrel Whisky instead. So, I purchased my whisky on Saturday evening at the walk-through shop at Fossey’s, having no real idea what to expect with the taste or if I would even like it. 

Why is Australian Whisky so expensive? 

A little note on the price, at first it felt expensive, but then I realised the process the whisky went through and just how special this Fossey’s Australian single barrel whisky actually is. That helped a lot with the price point for me. This is not your average bottlo firewater. Fossey’s is a very & unique whisky.

Whisky Drinking Instructions

Steve had given me strict instructions on how to try it because unbeknown to me, there is a process, an order, if you will, to how you try & drink whisky. (Oh my gosh…again… who knew?) His main stipulation upon trying it was not to mix it with Coke. Well in fact, his exact words were “don’t you dare mix it with Coke”. No worries there, I thought. I can’t stand Coke but surely, I could have it with soda water? I didn’t really picture myself sitting in front of the fire sipping straight whisky like I had seen many a cowboy in olden day Westerns do, whilst chewing tobacco at the same time. However, the expert assured me that mixing it with water or soda water was indeed acceptable. That made it seem much less scary that I could mix it with my “go to” mixer!

I must say I was rather excited about trying something new. I kinda felt like I was joining some sort of club with the purchase of the whisky and committing to drinking it. I followed Steve’s instructions on how to drink whisky like some sort of connoisseur, to the letter.

how to drink whisky like an expert:

1. Start slowly.

2. Have 4 or 5 big long sniffs. It has port on the nose. The first few sniffs may seem a bit harsh. But after a few you will understand the flavour.

Then:

3. Take a LITTLE sip. Very small. It will also taste a little harsh. Swill it around in your mouth. If may have a bit of an alcohol burn as you swallow it.

Then:

4. Take another small sip. Make a chewing action while the little bit is in your mouth. Then swallow it.

5. Breathe out across your tongue to understand the flavour.

Then:

6. Add a little bit of water, soda water and/or ice to your taste.

Even though, I was a little apprehensive, I followed Steve’s instructions on how to drink whisky to the letter and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. I actually liked it mixed with soda water and on ice. I felt pretty sophisticated and even a little fancy, sitting in front of the fire sipping at my single malt single barrel whisky.  

I probably had a few more than was sensible, but didn’t wake up with any nasty hangover side effects so it gets an “A” from me – just for that fact alone.

One last thing…What’s the difference between whisky and whiskey?

Great question. I had no idea either! And apparently it is a very controversial question with every whisky expert having an opinion on the difference. So I am going to leave this for a future blog because there really is that much to explore with this relatively simple question. 

Chin chin & bottoms up, whisky (and gin) lovers!

Until next time,

Whisky-spired Blogger Girl!

 

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Fossey’s at Sipafrolic 2023!

January 17, 2023 No Comments

Fossey’s are super excited to be part of the Sipafrolic event debuting March 3rd-5th 2023 at North Melbourne’s iconic Meat Market venue! TICKETS NOW