Hickson House, the Sydney-based distillery located just a stone’s throw from the harbour, have announced a new gin eight-year gin series that will count down to the 100th anniversary of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 2032. 

The Harbour Bridge Gin Series will involve Hickson House releasing a special limited-edition gin each year up until the final celebration. The series has a certain personal note for Hickson House Distilling Co due to the fact that the heritage-listed Metcalfe Bond Store in which it is based was previously used to store the timber and steel beams used for the construction of the Harbour Bridge throughout the 1920s and early 1930s. Some of these beams remain on the premises to this day, reinforcing the heritage that has inspired the series. 

Every gin will be centred around a unique chapter of the bridge’s story. The 2024 release, dubbed Breaking Ground, is an ode to the historic moment of the turning of the first sod in 1923, kicking off the Harbour Bridge’s construction. Each bottle comes individually numbered and includes an image that captures the historic moment. 

Breaking Ground uses locally sourced lemon aspen and lilly pilly botanicals along with juniper – both of which were grown in the area during the time of the bridge’s construction – along with coriander seed, angelica root, orris root and aniseed myrtle. Expect a gin that is bursting with bold juniper notes that are balanced by bright citrus and subtle berry flavours. Hickson House is botlted at 42% abv.

The limited-edition gin is exclusively available for purchase at the Hickson House Distillery Store, its online shop, or at the Barrelhouse Cellars Bottleshop located in The Rocks. It will also be available as part of a custom menu at the Hickson House cocktail bar, The Duke of Clarence, and the Barber Shop in Sydney.

Hickson House is also offering consumers the chance to win one of three Ultimate Sydney Harbour Experiences with every purchase of Harbour Bridge Gin online or in-store. Included in the experience is a Harbour Bridge summit climb for two, a Hickson House distillery tour, and a $150 dining voucher.  For more information and to enter, click here.

The Hickson House Harbour Bridge Gin – Breaking Ground is available now at a price of $85 per bottle. To kick off the release, the distillery is offering free shipping throughout May and June for online orders.

Below are a couple of serving suggestions provided by Hickson Road:

HARBOUR BRIDGE GIN & TONIC:

• Pour 60ml of Harbour Bridge Breaking Ground Gin into a highball filled with lots of ice.
• Top up with Dry Tonic Water and garnish with a lemon wedge and two lemon myrtle leaves.

BRIDGE BASIL SMASH:

• Muddle 10 fresh basil leaves with 15ml sugar syrup and add together 60ml Hickson House Harbour Bridge Gin and 25ml freshly squeezed lemon juice into a shaker filled with ice.
• Shake well until cold and fine strain over the rocks in a tumbler. Garnish with a basil sprig.

For more information, visit hicksonhouse.com.au.