Byron Bay’s newest Middle Eastern restaurant, The Smoking Camel, has partnered with Brookie’s Gin to create a Turkish Delight Gin. A passion project between the two brands and owners Kim Stephen (The Smoking Camel) and Eddie Brook (Brookie’s Gin), the gin is emblematic of the close-knit Byron Bay community, and combines The Smoking Camel’s signature Middle Eastern flavours with Brookie’s expertise in gin making.
The Turkish Delight Gin is made by infusing Brookie’s Gin with the perfect balance of fragrant rose, orange blossom, delicate Meyer lemon and balanced with a touch of sweetness. Harvested from the Cape Byron Distillery rainforest, the fragrant white aspen (which tastes like lemon gelato) and native raspberries are distilled into Brookie’s gin, and paired with the rose, sweet lemon and orange blossom to create a unique and special Turkish Delight Gin.
The gin was created with the help of Eddie Brook’s mum Pam Brook, who says “Brookie’s Turkish Delight was made not from the flavours of modern day commercial Turkish Delight, but from my memories of tastes and smells in exotic Turkish sweet shops which abounded in inner Melbourne. Entering these stores as a child I was enveloped in the scents of rose and orange blossom, surrounded by luscious sweet sticky pastries, aromas of roasted nuts and sticky honey sweetness.”
The Smoking Camel, which recently opened in Byron Bay in July of this year, will also feature the gin in one of their signature dishes, aptly named the ‘Turkish Delight’. The cocktail combines Brookie’s Turkish Delight Gin, pomegranate, cranberry, rose, lime and foam to evoke the sweet flavours of the Middle East and add a Byron Bay beachy touch with the foam.
The Smoking Camel co-owner Kim Stephen says “I am so excited to be collaborating with Eddie and the Brookie’s Gin team on this project. Eddie and I have been friends for a long time and having built businesses side by side in Byron it’s very cool to be able to do something together that combines both of our passions.”
The Smoking Camel x Brookie’s Turkish Delight Gin is exclusively available in The Smoking Camel, Light Years Asian Diner and Moonlight Japanese, and through the Cape Byron Distillery website (www.capebyrondistillery.com), the Cellar Door in Byron and local bottle shops.
It is recommended to enjoy it on the rocks, elevate your next G&T, or shake it up in a cocktail.
The team behind the Smoking Camel will also be holding multiple launch parties for Brookie’s Turkish Delight Gin. Festivities include:
- Turkish Delight Gin Launch Party at Cape Byron Distillery. Sip on a Turkish Delight Gin cocktail while kicking back with a live DJ set overlooking the Cape Byron Distillery rainforest. Cocktails by Cape Byron Distillery. Food and tunes by The Smoking Camel.
When: Sunday, 24 September, 1pm until sunset
What: Turkish Delight Gin launch event – cocktail specials, food truck and music
Where: Cape Byron Distillery | 80 St Helena Rd, McLeods Shoot
Read more here.
- Brookie’s Gin Cocktail Dinner at Light Years Newcastle. Celebrate the launch of the Smoking Camel x Brookie’s Turkish Delight Gin at The Smoking Camel’s sister restaurant, Light Years Newcastle! Join us for a night of modern asian and cocktails. Hosted by Brookie’s Gin.
When: Wednesday, 11 October from 6pm
What: Four course banquet w. four matched Brookie’s Gin cocktails
Where: Light Years Newcastle | 7 Darby Street, Newcastle.
Book: Tickets $135 per person. Bookings and menu here.
- Brookie’s Gin X The Smoking Camel Pop Up – LIGHT YEARS NOOSA
For one night only The Smoking Camel will be popping up at Light Years Noosa! Feast on The Smoking Camel’s signature Middle Eastern delights while the bar will offer a jubilant list of Brookie’s Turkish Delight Gin cocktails as well as all your classics!
When: Wednesday, 18 October from 6pm
What: Sultan’s Feast Banquet Menu w. Turkish Delight Gin on arrival
Where: Light Years Noosa | 1 Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Heads
Book: Tickets $79 per person. Bookings and menu here.