If your bar cart’s been feeling a bit same-same lately, El Cuatro Gin might be just the bottle to shake things up.
From Four Pillars Gin (the very makers of cult-favourite Bloody Shiraz Gin), El Cuatro is a fiesta in liquid form: bright, bold and slightly unexpected, inspired by Mexican flavours but still unmistakably gin.
Botanicals that bring the party
El Cuatro has a traditional gin base of juniper, harvested by hand in Macedonia. But the flavour profile quickly moves into more interesting territory thanks to some creative additions.
First up, there’s Mexican oregano – but not in the spag bol sense, think floral and citrus notes. In another nod to Mexico, the sweet fruit flavours of habanero chillis make an appearance (minus the heat!), and agave nectar brings all the mouth feels to the sip.
Citrus plays a big role, too. Finger limes bring freshness, and Seville orange peel offers marmalade-like depth. Ginger and cardamom sit quietly underneath, adding warmth and structure without dominating the other notes.
What to make with it
On their website, Four Pillars explains that El Cuatro was an experiment to see if they could make a gin that was “as good in a ginny margarita as a G&T.”
And it sounds like they nailed it.
A G&T works beautifully, especially with a big wedge of lime. In margaritas, the spice really shines through, bringing that little something extra to the fan-favourite cocktail. Then there’s the paloma, which really comes to life with the added citrus of El Cuatro.
Where to buy it
El Cuatro is a limited release, available via Four Pillars and bottle shops around Australia soon. It’s priced around $82 for a 700ml bottle.
What would you be mixing up with this bottle on your shelf? Leave us a comment!
