Four Pillars has launched Melbourne Laneway Gin, the first release in the distillery’s new City Series.
The gin—an idea brewed up by Chief Distiller Sarah Prowse—is a tribute to Australia’s cultural capital. Capturing the essence of Melbourne, from world-class coffee and hidden laneway bars, to colourful street art around every corner, the result is the evening equivalent of a flat white: layered with coffee notes, aromas of dark chocolate, warm vanilla and bright citrus.
Distilled across two of Four Pillars’ original stills, juniper, coriander, Proud Mary Humbler-roasted and green coffee beans, fresh oranges, cassia bark, green cardamom, Tahitian vanilla bean, roasted wattleseed, tonka beans and cacao nibs were all added to the pot alongside butter for added mouthfeel and texture.
Assistant Distiller Brett Paulin said: “To make this gin a proper celebration of Melbourne, we knew the coffee had to come from people who really know what they’re doing, so we teamed up with the crew at Proud Mary.
“We used their roasted Humbler beans for those rich caramel and chocolate notes, along with green coffee beans, which act as a natural fixative and help hold all those essential oils together in the spirit.
“The distillery already runs on coffee, which is less of a preference and more of a safety requirement, so this one felt pretty natural.
“The whole place smelled like coffee Jaffa cakes while we were making it, which tells you pretty much everything you need to know. It’ll be unreal in a fancy twist on a Mont Blanc or kept nice and simple in a G&T with orange.”
Beyond the liquid, the bottle itself pays tribute to the city’s creative identity. Melbourne street artist, URSHTRAY, was commissioned to create bespoke artwork inspired by the city’s famous laneways, bringing its distinctive urban culture to life on every label.
URSHTRAY said: “Street art is woven into Melbourne’s identity, so it was exciting to create artwork that reflects the city’s colour and creativity. The label is a tribute to the laneways that inspire locals and visitors alike; bold, playful and full of personality. I wanted the artwork to help create a bottle that feels as uniquely Melbourne as the gin inside it.”
Four Pillars Creative Director of Gin Drinks, Nick Tesar, has come up with a series of signature serves showcasing the gin’s rich coffee profile.
- Melbourne Laneway Gin & Tonic: Add 45ml of Melbourne Laneway Gin, 100ml Premium Tonic to a rocks glass, top with ice and garnish with an orange wedge.
- Coffee Negroni: Combine 30ml Melbourne Laneway Gin, 20ml Sweet Vermouth, 20ml Bitter Orange Liqueur and 10ml Coffee Liqueur in a shaker and stir with ice. Strain into a rocks glass, top with ice and finish with an orange slice.
- Mont Blanc: Inspired by the iconic Melbourne coffee serve created at Good Measure, the gin lends a wonderful savoury backbone to the drink. Combine 30ml of Melbourne Laneway Gin and 120ml Brewed Cold Coffee in a highball glass and top with ice. In a separate container combine 10ml of vanilla syrup, 45ml thickened cream and whip to combine. Pour over the top of the glass, creating a layer on top and finish by grating orange zest and nutmeg over.
- Empire of Dreams: A gin variant of Fred Siggins’ famed cocktail at Melbourne institution Black Pearl, this is a fresh and vibrant drink, complemented by the addition of bitter coffee. Combine 40ml Melbourne Laneway Gin, 10ml Apricot Brandy Liqueur, 30ml Pineapple Juice, 10ml Lime Juice, 5ml Orgeat and 10 Espresso beans in a shaker and shake with ice. Strain into a coupe and garnish with a lime twist.
To hear the story behind the gin join Four Pillars and Proud Mary on 20 August 2026 for a special Meet the Makers event at Proud Mary Coffee Roasters, where Four Pillars Chief Distiller Sarah Prowse and Proud Mary’s Brodie Roberts will share the inspiration behind Melbourne Laneway Gin and take attendees behind the scenes of its creation. Limited tickets will be available online soon.
Or, if you’re heading to the Yarra Valley, stop by the Four Pillars Healesville Distillery for a taste as part of its new G&T Sunday series, kicking off on 30 August.
Melbourne Laneway Gin will be available to the Four Pillars email database from 13 August. It will be available to the wider public from 18 August online at www.fourpillarsgin.com, the Gin Shop at the Four Pillars Healesville Distillery, and broader indie retail.
A limited amount will also be available in 1L exclusive to Lotte in Melbourne and Brisbane Airports from mid-September.