Meet a new gin with a distinctive Asian accent

Asian flavours have been helping shape Australian culinary trends for decades. 

From Chinese migration dating back to gold rush days to the rise of Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine over recent times, vibrant Asian flavours are found in restaurants and homes. 

Now Asian accents are making a mark on the way we drink - from sakes and Japanese lagers, to Indian whiskies and Chinese spirits. 

Rising Sydney distillery Saint Juniper, has unveiled a new Asian-inspired gin for summer: No.5 Red Lime Gin. 

Native botanicals have been blended with south-east Asian ingredients, for a new style of gin the distillery says creates "a flavour story told in citrus and spice, bright yet balanced, familiar yet fresh".

Ingredients include red fingerlime, ginger, lemongrass and kaffir leaf, designed to be enjoyed in cocktails, or a G&T with lime and a ribbon of ginger.

“Red Lime Gin is a meeting of cultures distilled, complex, contemporary, and distinctly Saint Juniper. It brings native citrus together with the warmth and fragrance of south-east Asia, creating something that feels both familiar and entirely our own,” says distillery founder Paul Walton.

I'll check it out over the weekend and then report back.

Each Saint Juniper gin is numbered and distilled in micro batches using Dutch-built equipment. RRP $69 for 500ml.

See saintjuniper.com.au

A new Australian gin with an Asian accent

Australian cuisine has long been shaped by Asian flavours. 

From Chinese migration in the 1950s to the rise of Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese and Korean flavours, our palates have enjoyed bold flavours.

Now vibrant Asian accents are now making their mark behind the bar.

Sydney distiller Saint Juniper has unveiled a new gin in time for the summer holidays: Red Lime Gin (No. 5).

This aromatic gin “captures the evolution of Australia’s palate, where native botanicals sit comfortably alongside south-east Asian ingredients”. 

It’s a flavour story told in citrus and spice, bright yet balanced, familiar yet fresh, says founder Paul Walton, who hails “a vivid expression of red fingerlime, ginger, lemongrass and kaffir leaf - the perfect marriage of citrus and spice". 

“Elegant yet refreshing, it shines equally in a crafted cocktail or a simple G&T with lime and a ribbon of ginger," he adds

“Red Lime Gin is a meeting of cultures distilled, complex, contemporary, and distinctly Saint Juniper. It brings native citrus together with the warmth and fragrance of south-east Asia, creating something that feels both familiar and entirely our own.”

Each Saint Juniper gin is numbered and distilled in micro batches using Dutch-built distilling equipment. 

Red Lime Gin joins the collection as No. 5, alongside the Original Dry, Citrus Contemporary, Raspberry & Hibiscus Pink and Mediterranean Gin.

The RRP is $69. See saintjuniper.com.au

Newcomer makes immediate impact in the gin sector

Sommelier-turned-distiller Paul Walton has made an immediate impact on the gin sector just 12 months after launching his new Sydney-based brand.

Saint Juniper picked up three medals at the recent 2025 Royal Melbourne Australian International Spirits Awards, including a gold for Saint Juniper Original Dry.

Saint Juniper was earlier named Australian Spirit of the Year at the 2025 London Spirits Competition - a bold debut for the micro brand.

Saint Juniper’s collection currently includes four distinct gins, each batch micro-distilled using sustainable technology and organically sourced botanicals.

Every bottle is marked with a number, in the order they were created, following what Walton says mimics the methodical craft of a perfumer.



Walton’s drinks story began when he was very young.

On family trips to the Hunter Valley, a 10-year-old Paul was intrigued by flavours and aromas.

That early curiosity evolved into a career exploring the nuances of wine and spirits, culminating in over 18,000 guided tastings through his tasting series Drinks with Dave.

With a background in wine education and years of hands-on sensory work, Walton made a bold move in 2023. Rather than acquire a distillery, he built one from the ground up. His equipment arrived in March 2024, and within weeks, he was submitting his first batches to major competitions.

Saint Juniper’s collection currently includes four distinct gins, each one micro-distilled in small batches using high-end Dutch equipment. All flavour profiles are developed over three to four weeks, allowing the botanicals to evolve.

● No. 1 – Original Dry: A contemporary take on a classic dry gin.

● No. 2 – Citrus Contemporary: Bold and bright with grapefruit, sweet orange and elderberry. Designed for summer spritzes and cocktails.

● No. 3 – Raspberry & Hibiscus Pink Gin: Delicate and floral, made with real raspberries, rose petals and hibiscus.

● No. 4 – Mediterranean Gin: Savoury with notes of Greek olives, fresh rosemary and bay leaf.

All retail in 500ml bottles for $69, as well as in mini bottles for $17 and in tasting sets of four 100ml bottles.

Saint Juniper is designed for thoughtful drinking.

"It is not a party gin," Walton says. "It is a gin for slowing down, for rituals, for sharing or enjoying alone. I wanted it to match any space, any style, but always stand out for its quality.” 

I'm currently travelling but will try the gins and post some notes when I get back. 

See https://saintjuniper.com.au/