Meet the members

THE ROOTS CABAL

COCKTAIL ROOTS
"Since I came to this country, I have been making Japanese twist cocktails with local product.
Koji is the yeast which has strong connection to Japanese cuisine. We use koji when we make sake and shochu and miso and even soy sauce. This cocktail creates a matching of gin and kiwi with sencha adding more depth and complexity."
AKIRA OHKI
AKIRA OHKI Masu, Auckland
"The science of alcohol, distillation, fermentation, and how we perceive flavours has always been fascinating to me, and so playing around with science for this drink has allowed me to jump right back into my scientific roots, and I’m using classic Kiwi ingredients to do so!"
PJ RENAUD
PJ RENAUD The Heke, Waiheke Island
"This cocktail Is an ode to one of the greatest inspirations I’ve had in my life, my Nonno Giuseppe Ghignone. A hard working Italian gentleman who migrated from Italy to Australia in his youth, started a family and a successful career growing and selling fresh produce"
JOSEPH GHIGNONE
JOSEPH GHIGNONE Little Blackwood, Queenstown

2023 WINNERS

Kevin Menezes
PJ Renaud
Joseph Ghignone
+ Kevin Menezes

BAR TEREZA, Napier

Native Gola
Roots Dry Gin, passion marigold fenny liqueur, acidified native chai tea, fig leaf caramel, Gola iced tarata branch.

+ PJ Renaud

The Heke, Waiheke Island

The Catalyst
Roots Norwester Navy Gin, Blueberry Manzanilla, Cocchi Americano, Citrus Stock, Marmite Saline.

+ Joseph Ghignone

Little Blackwood, Queenstown

Nonnos Sour
Roots Dry Gin, creme de peche, St Germain elderflower, Suze, house peach syrup, lime juice, peach bitters, saline, egg white.

SUYR '23 Gin
SUYR '23 Gin
Elderflower, Mango & Malt Yeast Extract

2023 SUYR Winners Gin

- JUNIPER (North Macedonia)
- GRAPEFRUIT ZEST (Gisborne, NZ)
- CORIANDER SEED (Hawke’s Bay, NZ)
- MOTUEKA HOPS (Nelson, NZ)
- MANGO (Mexico)
- ELDERFLOWER (Bulgaria)
- MALT YEAST EXTRACT (Estonia)
A LIMITED RELEASE expression of Roots Gin created entirely by the winners of the 2023 Show Us Your Roots Cocktail Competition. 

A smooth, botanical forward, off-dry gin expressing notes of juniper, earthy spice and dried mango with a herbaceous elderflower nose and soft caramalised malt finish.
I WANT ONE!

Top Cabal Gin Joints

Smokey T
The Heke
Tereza
Little Blackwood
Parasol Swing
Austin Club

ENTER THE S.U.Y.R. AND JOIN THE CABAL

We're looking for the best bartenders accross NZ to showcase the finest Roots Dry Gin cocktails which represent 'YOUR ROOTS'. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ Six national finalists will be flown to Wellington to compete at a grand final with the overall the grand prize of a three day distillery takeover in Marlborough in order to create and distil the SUYR 2024 exclusive expression of Roots Gin. ⁣⁣ ⁣ Enter now and Show us Your Roots.

REGISTER HERE