Award-winning bartender Nick Tesar is all about celebrating in style with gin this Christmas; curating Four Pillars gin cocktails you need at the table this festive season.
The new Four Pillars Christmas Gin is built on a warm spice base with hints of cinnamon and caramelised characteristics – attributed to the gin’s time in 80-year-old Rutherglen Muscat barrel. We love that they’ve also added a gin-infused Christmas pudding to enjoy alongside the new iteration of Christmas Gin.
The new limited-edition bottle has been designed by artist Andrea Huelin – who won the Archibald Packing Room Prize 2023 for her portrait of the late comedian Cal Wilson.
The Write Drop spoke to Nick Tesar for At The Bar and to share a fave gin cocktail for Christmas.
MY CITY
Melbourne has an incredibly diverse hospitality offering, dominated by small venues, that showcase true hospitality. It is also a city that always has cultural activities going on, from music and the arts, and plenty of sport.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
Easy. The first time I ordered Neil Perry Noodles at Flower Drum. Mud crab noodles, that I still think about weekly.
FAVOURITE BAR
I can’t go past a house martini (twist and discard, olives on the side) at Caretaker’s Cottage.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
Cobbler – fruity, seasonally changing and only around for a brief moment.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
Pretending the hangover doesn’t exist and pushing on with plans.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
Milquetoast – a brilliant escape in the middle of Brisbane. Always great for a drink and a snack.
OVERSEAS BAR
Go and see Sammy at Puffy Bois. Sammy was the original Four Pillars ambassador and has now opened a great cocktail bar, with awesome pizza in Singapore.
FAVOURITE WINE
Last year I shared an old bottle of Gembrook Hill Blanc de Blanc with the family. It was incredible. Really shows how great Australian production is.
FAVOURITE WINERY
One of my favourite winery visits was to Jauma in the Adelaide Hills. Beautiful area, great wines, incredible hospitality and great cherries!
NEXT DESTINATION
I’m looking forward to visiting a couple of regional country pubs in Victoria over summer. Starting in Castlemaine.
Tell us about the latest iteration of the Four Pillars Christmas Gin and what inspired it?
This gin carries on the Four Pillars tradition, celebrating the flavours of the Christmas pudding, with warming Christmas spice, complimented with the lick of sweetness from the addition of muscat. Great for a festive cup to be shared around the table.
How has Four Pillars helped put gin in the spotlight at Christmas for the past decade?
What started as a Mackenzie family tradition has been shared around plenty of Australian bars and tables. I remember being so excited to get my hands on a bottle of the first release to put on the bar I was working in at the time. It leads to a great conversation starter and engagement with consumers.
What notes do you love most about the Christmas gin?
I love the art. The celebration of different depictions of the Australian Christmas is beautiful. This year we have a label that celebrates a bit of all the past labels as a 10th year celebration. Its stunning.
A Christmas cocktail you love?
I love making a Christmas Cup. Treating the Christmas gin like Pimm’s. Half ginger ale and lemonade. Garnished with mint, strawberry, citrus and cucumber. It’s a really good time.
