For drinkers who grimace at the bitter bite of London-style gin, a gin infused with floral botanicals from the Texas Hill Country may be the secret to a refreshing summer cocktail.
Waterloo Gin, a spirit brand owned by John Paul DeJoria, has its headquarters in the historic Gold’s building on the Square.
“There's a big opportunity for more American style gin, and one that has the kind of history and origin story that we have,” said David Kersten, the President of Waterloo Gin. “We're just super proud to be doing it from Georgetown, Texas.”
The gin is distilled in Dripping Springs at Treaty Oak Distilling and uses a unique vapor-infusion process with nine botanicals grown in Texas, including lavender, juniper, lemon zest, grapefruit, pecan, orris root, coriander, anise, ginger and licorice root. Waterloo Gin uses less juniper, which reduces the bitter flavor.
It was one the first gin to be distilled in Texas and is named ‘Waterloo’ after Austin’s original name. Mr. Kersten said the company considers its gin to be more of an American-style containing approachable citrus and floral notes.
Patrick Nikel, the bar manager at Brass Peacock, said he and other ‘geeky bartenders’ appreciate the piney, harsh notes of juniper in a London-gin. The flavor does have a polarizing effect, which is why he suggests the classic Waterloo No. 9 to people who are looking for an entry point to gin.
“It's a nice introduction to gin, because it's a little bit softer. You don't have that aggressive juniper note. And then it’s got a little bit of lavender in there as well. Lemon and lavender is like one of the all-time best flavor combinations.”
Mr. Nikel has noticed an increase in people coming into the bar asking for local spirits. He said he thinks people are realizing the big-name spirit brands aren’t necessarily the best.
Mr. Nikel recently won a cocktail competition in Austin using Waterloo Prickly Pear & Rose Gin. His cocktail, The Royal Tea includes white tea and is a play on a traditional Southside cocktail.
Waterloo Barrel-Aged Gin is vapor-infused with the same ingredients as the No. 9. Then, it is aged for two years in oak barrels like bourbon or rum. The barrel aging process gives the gin an amber color and adds sweet notes of vanilla. Mr. Nikel recommends the Barrel Aged Gin to whiskey drinkers.
“The Barrel Aged Gin is a good substitute for whiskey in a cocktail,” Mr. Nikel said. “I think my favorite thing to use it for is old fashions and stuff that your typical whiskey drinkers or rum drinkers would be familiar with. They're gonna [pick up on] familiar flavors from the barrel aging process.”
Waterloo Gin also has a Prickly Pear & Rose flavor which has added botanicals including Texas prickly pear, rose petals and hibiscus. The hibiscus gives the gin a pink hue and the prickly pear provides a natural sweetness.
“The prickly pear and rose, again, it's going to be more of that contemporary kind of softer style gin,” Mr. Nikel said. “But the red fruit and the rose take it in a different direction. It’s a little bit more fruit forward.”
Mr. Kersten said his wife enjoys using the Prickly Pear & Rose flavor for martinis without vermouth.
“That little sweetness from the prickly pear and the botanicals in it give it a really beautiful flavor without anything else,” he said.
Mr. Kersten toured 25 Texas-based gin distilleries before advising Mr. DeJoria to purchase Waterloo Gin out in Dripping Springs.
Mr. DeJoria has lived in Austin for over twenty years, he is most known for his signature grey pony tail and haircare line Paul Mitchel Beauty supplies. Mr. DeJoria started the haircare company in 1980 while living in his car and grew it into a billion dollar business. In 1989, he entered the spirit world by co-founding Patron tequila and grew it into one of the most valuable spirit brands.
“Patron became like a really premium luxury kind of spirits brand,” Mr. Kersten explained. “It really elevated the whole [tequila] category. That's what John Paul loves to do. He did it in beauty products, he did it in the [tequila] spirit category.”
In 2018, he sold Patron tequila to Bacardi, another spirit company, for $5.1 billion dollars. Mr. DeJoria signed a non-compete agreement that expired three years ago. After it ended, he purchased Bandido Tequila and Waterloo Gin. He also became a founding partner for Weber Ranch Vodka.
Mr. Kersten said when he acquired the company in September of 2024, Waterloo was a state-wide brand that only distributed 3,500 cases per year. This year, the company’s business plan includes selling 20,000 cases and expanding the brand’s presence from 13 US states to 30 states. Waterloo Gin is sold in Total Wine, Specs and Twin Liquors. In Georgetown, cocktails with Waterloo Gin can be found at Brass Peacock, Georgie’s and Juniper Cocktails & Kitchen.
The Roasted Coconut Negroni
Ingredients:
1 oz Waterloo Gin, Barrel Aged
1 oz Campari
¾ oz Sweet Vermouth
¼ oz Malibu Rum
dash of Mexican chocolate or walnut bitters
coconut shaving, for garnish
Instructions:
In a glass with ice, add the gin, campari, sweet vermouth, rum, and bitters. Stir until chilled and garnish with a coconut shaving.
For more recipes, visit ww.waterloogin.com/pages/cocktails.