The team at Hickson House Distilling Co has collaborated with Regal Rogue vermouth to create Hickson Road Wild Rosé Summer Cup, a contemporary Australian expression of the classic British fruit cup.
The light and refreshing gin-based drink offers a versatile base for a range of delicious cocktails, perfectly suited to the Australian Summer. Summer Cup is a blend of the award-winning Hickson Rd Australian Dry Gin and Regal Rogue’s organic Wild Rosé Vermouth, along with tonka beans, native bush tomato and muntrie berries.
Barrelhouse Group co-founder Mikey Enright said: “Summer Cup is perfect for aperitivo hour, to celebrate Hickson House’s upcoming first birthday, and our great Australian Summer. This collaboration with my good friend Mark Ward’s Regal Rogue has been six months in the making.
“Julian (Train), Tim (Stones) and I are thrilled to introduce Summer Cup to the Hickson Rd. family. Looking forward, 2023 will see new liquids, new cocktails, new menu and even new furniture; plus opening Hickson House Bar & Dining on Sundays as The Rocks revival gathers pace.”
After blending the gin and vermouth, Hickson House head distiller Tim Stones adds fresh muntrie berries and steeps them for five days to build the fruity character of the vermouth and enhance the distinctive, vibrant rosé colour. Finally, he delicately blends tonka bean and bush tomato distillate from a 70L copper still to balance the liquid.
The Wild Rosé Summer Cup will star at ALIA winning Best New Bar, Hickson House in a variety of cocktails – from the signature Hickson Rd. Summer Cup, to a Summer Royale, and even a Wild Rosé Negroni – many of which are simple to recreate at home.
The liquid is also designed to inspire customers’ and bartenders’ creativity, encouraging experimentation with their favourite flavours.