Desert Island Drinks: Ellen Weigall, BABY Pink Gin

In celebration of International Women’s Day, today’s Desert Island Drinks features Australia’s only 100% female owned spirits company, BABY Pink Gin, and its founder Ellen Weigall.

As a bonus to the celebrations, Ellen has only selected spirits that have been created by Australian women and said to collectively represent some of her favourite parts of Australia.

Find out which drinks Ellen has selected for her desert island stay…

#1 – BABY Pink Gin

I’ll never get sick of my own gin. The reason I created BABY was that i didn’t think there were enough premium spirits marketed to females. I found that most alcohol products marketed to women assumed that we just want cheap, sugary drinks, which isn’t always the case. Not only that, but none of the pink gins I found had enough juniper OR stayed pink. So, BABY is a dry floral gin with botanicals like pink rose petals, chamomile, lemon verbena, and raspberry leaf. It’s sugar free, gluten free and vegan friendly.

#2 – Anther Florescence Gin

Such a gorgeous gin that I personally love for so many reasons. Firstly, Anther Distillery is in Geelong, a place outside of Melbourne very dear to my heart, and home of my AFL team the Geelong Cats. Anther is also co-owned by Derv McGowan, an amazing female distillery consultant. What’s so great about Florescence in particular is that it was made in collaboration with Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, my home town. The gin is created with plants foraged from the gardens, and proceeds support the gardens and their initiatives.

#3 – Great Ocean Road Guvvos Gin

Another distillery located close to a special place in my heart, Great Ocean Road Distillery is co-owned by Ann Houlihan. Their Guvvos Gin is named after one of my favourite beaches and is inspired by native botanicals from the Great Ocean Road. With 24 botanicals, nine local to the surfcoast region including coast daisy, salt bush and local honey.

#4 – Seppeltsfield Road Distillers Barossa Shiraz Gin

You can’t speak about Australian made alcohol without mentioning Barossa Shiraz. Thankfully, co-owner and head distiller at Seppeltsfield Road Distillers in Adelaide, Nicole Durdin, has turned it into a gin! I recently drove eight hours across Australia and had a drink at their Barossa distillery to experience this gin crafted from premium Barossa Shiraz Grapes. Macerated in House Gin for 12 weeks, vintage ’22 is bold, full flavoured, bright and beautifully balanced with rich shiraz berry notes, stewed strawberry and citrus.

#5 – Starward Two–Fold Double Grain Whisky

Starward Whisky in South Melbourne is super special to me as their founder, David Vitale, was one of my original mentors in the industry, and one of the nicest guys in the game! Although I love gin, I’d have to bring this whisky along with me to my desert island. They also have an amazing house distiller, Carly Dyer, who has a passion for creating this delicious aged Melbourne whisky.

Luxury Item

My luxury item would have to be my signature pink esky. It comes with me on every trip and can always be found in the back of my car full of fresh ice. I never like anybody tasting BABY for the first time unless it’s ice cold, and on a desert island, I think it’s a must. It also provides a great backdrop for any cocktail picture.