A Japanese Twist is Coming to One of Sydney’s Most Loved Spots for One Day Only

We partnered with Roku Gin to share the news of an exciting collaboration that celebrates the beauty of spring in full bloom.

There’s much to love about spring. With the warming of temperatures and longer daylight hours, months of metaphorical hibernation come to an end. And, of course, there’s the blooming beauty of the colours and scents of flowers and new green shoots beginning to appear. 

So why not match the visual and sensory feast that is the start of spring with a literal feast at one of Sydney’s most loved - and beautiful - spots?

For one day only, guests can enjoy a unique, Japanese-inspired dining experience in Sydney’s stunning Royal Botanic Garden, all in celebration of the spring season and Roku Gin’s first seasonal limited-edition release: Roku Gin Sakura Bloom Edition.

Crafted to capture the essence of Sakura - or cherry blossoms - in bloom, the special edition Roku Gin brings the feeling of Japanese springtime to your glass, with an elegant floral taste layered with hints of saltiness and underpinned by a delicately complex blend of botanicals. 

To further celebrate the release, Roku has also partnered with florist-turned-perfumier Saskia Havekes of Grandiflora to create Sakura Bloom Edition Eau De Toilette (50ml, valued at $220). The signature scent brings together the craftsmanship of Japanese distillation and the artistry of floral fragrance design.

It all comes together on Thursday, 26 September for a one-day-only event in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden, where all things spring, florals, fragrance and Japanese craft gin will have a moment in the spotlight.

Acclaimed chef and Culinary Director of Botanic House, Luke Nguyen will host an exclusive event at Botanic House, where guests will be able to immerse themselves in the world of Sakura Bloom.

Kicking off at Palm House with signature serves of Roku Gin and a stunning floral installation by Grandiflora to capture the ephemeral beauty of Sakura, the event continues at Botanic House for a bespoke, Japanese-inspired three-course menu. 

Centred around the concept of shun - the sensibility of enjoying ingredients at their peak - each course will pair classic Japanese flair and flavours with seasonal spring produce and will be matched with specially curated Roku Gin cocktails (think a Roku Gin Spritz and Spring Bramble).

“I’m excited to be partnering with Roku Gin to bring a Japanese twist to the Botanic House menu,” chef Luke Nguyen shares. 

“With a series of dishes that complement the delicate and complex notes of the Japanese craft gin, we promise an unforgettable dining experience that showcases the beauty of spring.”

The event is also one of the only ways to get your hands on the limited edition Roku Gin x Grandiflora Sakura Bloom Edition Eau De Toilette and experience the harmonious and captivating scent of springtime in a bottle. 

Tickets for the exclusive collaboration and event are extremely limited, so be sure to secure your spot here.

There are two sittings available - lunch from 12:30 pm, and dinner from 6:30 pm - for $145 per person.

Inspired by the limited-edition Roku Gin Sakura Bloom Edition, the Sakura Bloom Edition Eau De Toilette - an exclusive fragrance created in partnership with Grandiflora that’s only available by attending Roku’s series of spring events - encapsulates the essence of spring with its floral bouquet and refined balance. 

The timeless scent opens with the delicate sweetness of cherry blossoms and rounded off with a smooth, yet spicy, gin-like finish for an overall fragrance that is at once sophisticated and refreshing. 

“We wanted to create something that distils the fleeting Sakura season and Hanami festival into a timeless scent,” says Grandiflora founder Saskia Havekes.

It’s the perfect match for the Roku Sakura Bloom Edition Gin, which has been created to capture the essence of the fleeting phenomena of Sakura in bloom. Lasting only two weeks, the Sakura bloom transforms Japan into a sea of colour and delicate fragrance and is enjoyed by millions in a ritual known as Hanami. 

Capturing the brightness and freshness of this time in a bottle, the special edition Roku Gin harnesses this magic so it can be enjoyed year-round. An elegant floral taste layered with hints of saltiness and underpinned by a delicately complex blend of botanical to enhance the Japanese gin’s natural flavours, the special release is the first in a series celebrating “shun”, the sensibility of enjoying seasonal moments at their peak. 

Secure your spot for the exclusive Botanic House event here. 

Roku Sakura Bloom Edition Gin (700mL, RRP $74.99) is available at Dan Murphy’s stores nationwide and online.