Four Pillars gin shows us how to make a Negroni, Tom Collins and gin and tonic

We got a lesson in three essential gin drinks: the classic G&T, the Negroni and the Tom Collins with Sam Ng – bartender for boutique gin geniuses Four Pillars.

Well hello, gin o’clock. Let’s face it, here in sunny Singapore any time after noon feels like the right time for a refreshing little somethin’. And while our bar scene leaves us more than enough hotspots to dip into a cocktail of the week, any self-respecting hedonist should be able to shake (or stir) a round of drinks when friends drop by – or know how to do a solo sundowner.

To help us all lift our game, ace bartender Samuel Ng of Aussie boutique distillery, Four Pillars, gave us a little lesson in the three gin-based drinks everyone should have under their belt: the Negroni, the Tom Collins and the classic G&T (it’s okay if you need to take it back to basics).

Watch and learn:

And here’s a recap of those recipes:

How to make a classic gin and tonic

Get this right before you start free-pouring

45ml Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin
120ml Fever Tree tonic water (go for a good-quality tonic that’s lower in sugar)
Lots of fresh ice. Use as much as you dare. The more ice, the longer it will take for your drink to dilute.
3 slices of orange

Christmas

This gin will get you feeling Christmassy

How to make a Tom Collins

Our current go-to drink – we say this is the ultimate cooling, refreshing tipple

50ml Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin
25ml fresh lemon juice
15ml sugar syrup (equal parts water and sugar, stirred until it’s totally combined)
Shake in a cocktail shaker
Strain over some ice
Add a little splash of soda water, about 30ml
Garnish with a slice of lemon or orange – we popped in a little star anise to complement the botanicals in Four Pillars gin

How to make a Negroni

This is the world’s easiest cocktail to make – it’s equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth. No excuses.

30ml Four Pillars spiced Negroni gin (this gin is distilled with cardamom and star anise for a bright take on botanicals)
30ml Campari
30ml sweet vermouth
Combine in a rocks glass over lots of ice and stir for five seconds
Garnish with a couple of slices of orange or an orange twist – press and twist to express the oil over your drink

TIP: Rub some orange rind around the rim of the glass too to add aroma.

And here’s how to cheat your way to Negronis on tap:
“The cheat’s version of this is to combine a bottle each of gin, Campari and vermouth, as long as they are the same volume, and then decant back into the bottles and store in the fridge,” says Sam. “Then you have ready-made Negronis all the time and all you need to do is pour as much or as little as you want over some ice and stir and garnish.”

Cheers, gin lovers.