Four Pillars creates gin for Margaritas
Australia’s Four Pillars has launched El Cuatro, a Mexican-inspired gin that can be mixed in Margaritas and other cocktails traditionally made with agave spirits.
The gin has been crafted using habanero chillies, agave nectar, aromatic oregano, zesty finger limes, and bitter orange peel. Its Mexican-inspired recipe allows the gin to play in cocktails that are traditionally made with agave spirits, such as Margaritas and Cantaritos.
“Get ready to say adios to Tequila and hola to El Cuatro, because the Margarita has a new friend in town,” the distillery said.
Four Pillars’ head of distilling Sarah Prowse said making El Cuatro was a “real team effort”.
“We played around with bold combinations of key flavours until we found a gin that worked as well in a G&T as a spicy gin Marg,” she explained.
“Whole, dried habaneros go into the pot of the still and bring a beautiful fragrance to the gin. Mexican oregano, which looks, tastes and smells a bit different to the oregano you get in the supermarket, joins the habaneros alongside the gin’s other dry botanicals. Finger limes and grapefruit are added to the botanical basket to bring that citrus note that comes through in all our gins, and the final piece of the puzzle, agave nectar, comes in post distillation to bring that hint of sweetness.”
The team at Four Pillars also worked with Sydney-based Mexican cocktail bar El Primo Sanchez on the concept.
Prowse added: “We’re also super grateful to the team at Sydney’s El Primo Sanchez for helping us get the name right – leaning into our name, with El Cuatro translating to a simple and easy ‘four’, and adding that authentic Spanish touch that feels true to the spirit of this gin.
“El Cuatro will also feature on the menu at El Primo Sanchez, a bar known for big flavours, excellent Margaritas, and a good time.
“It really is the perfect place to debut a gin made for lime, salt and long nights. And for those fans in Victoria, our distillery bar team has created an epic menu for this, so you won’t miss out on the good times.”
Aside from at El Primo Sanchez, the gin is available for AU$82 (US$57.80) on the Four Pillars website and in the gin shop at its Healesville Distillery. It has an ABV of 41.8%.
The brand’s creative director of gin drinks, Nick Tesar, recommends El Cuatro in a classic G&T, but also in a Margarita.
His gin-friendly take on a Margarita combines 45ml of El Cuatro, 30ml lime juice, 15ml orange liqueur, and a 15ml splash of sugar syrup into a cocktail shaker, shaken well with ice and served in a coupe glass with a half-salt rim. Four dashes of green sauce can be added to make it spicy.
Additionally, Tesar recommends El Cuatra for a Cantarito – a traditional Mexican cocktail.
Served in a Highball glass with a half-Tajín rim, the recipe features 45ml El Cuatro, 15ml orange juice, 15ml grapefruit, 15ml lime juice, 5ml sugar syrup, one pinch of salt, and is topped with 60ml soda water. It is then finished with ice and garnished with a grapefruit wedge.
Four Pillars’ previous limited releases have included the ‘world’s first’ croissant gin, made in collaboration with Melbourne-based bakery Lune.
Last year, the brand arrived in China through distributor Drinks99.
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