Location is very important for Manly Spirits Co, a bright modern distillery on Sydney's northern beaches. Co-founded by Vanessa Wilton and distiller Dave Whittaker, its Marine Botanical Vodka is distilled in sea parsley foraged from Whale Beach and kelp that’s washed up on nearby beaches, such as Manly and Collaroy. To balance that briny sea flavour, roasted wattle seed, orange peel and cardamom are added, resulting in an earthy vodka that pairs well with ginger ale or gingery cocktails.

It’s the gins, though, that have caught people’s attention. Its Australian Dry Gin was awarded a silver medal (London dry style) at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards in 2018. It also has a Barrel-Aged Gin (Whisky Cask 02), and Coastal Citrus (made using fresh lemon aspen, coriander leaf, sea parsley, Meyer lemon and myrtle).

The distillery also runs a gin school, offers regular tours, and has a tasting bar where you can order classic cocktails with a twist along with charcuterie and cheeses, and a small selection of local wines and beers.