Vienna, Austria’s lively capital, has a new summer hotspot from June 22nd to September 15th!
This beautiful Roku Summer Garden in the Bar/terre of the stylish Hotel SO/Vienna! It was ceremoniously opened on the evening of June 21st in the presence of invited guests, and we had the pleasure to be among them!
Modern and elegant design meets Japanese high-class craft gin! With a view of the first district, the Roku Garden Pop-Up in Bar/terre will be the hottest insider tip for refreshing cocktails in the summer heat of the big city.
The new Roku Summer Garden invites you to spend mild summer evenings in the heart of Vienna – centrally located on the Danube Canal! A very special outdoor spot to toast to life with friends or to end the working day comfortably with colleagues!
The new Roku Garden offers premium cocktails and the finest cuisine in a stylish Japanese atmosphere from Monday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.!
We say goodbye to spring and celebrate summer!
In the special ambience of the Bar/terre at SO/Vienna, the premium spirits from Beam Suntory, above all the unique Japanese premium craft gin Roku, will ensure an enjoyable cool-down in the city from June 22nd to September 15th, 2023.
Innovative cocktail creations, stirred, mixed and shaken by master craftsmen, make the new bar a hotspot in summery Vienna. Escape the city heat – in style – with House of Suntory’s iced drinks.
A long summer evening can be enjoyed in the hexagonal Roku-style booths. A summer cocktail sundowner, the popular Roku gin and tonic or a completely new drink, individually mixed by the bartender, take you on a short trip to Japan.
From now on you can visit the newly opened Roku Summer Garden and enjoy a drink in this cool place with exclusive Japanese flair!
“Roku Summer Garden” – refreshing cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere
Roku Gin Signature Cocktails will set the tone at the Roku Summer Garden. Pauline Scholz, the new House of Suntory Brand Ambassador, crafted a special summer menu for this event.
She reinterprets modern classics like martinis, negronis, sours, and fizzes with remarkable creativity. Daiquiris, mojitos, highballs, and tiki cocktails also get a fresh, imaginative twist.
Roku Gin shines on the menu with options like the Roku Tonic with ginger sticks and the Natsu Spritz featuring Roku, peach-honey purée, soda water, and berries. For a refreshing treat, try the Miyazaki Highball with Roku, Yuzu Citric Blend, and ginger ale.
Whisky and vodka lovers will enjoy exploring Haku Vodka and Toki Whisky from the House of Suntory. The Haku drink delights with matcha lemonade and almond syrup. Pauline serves the famous Toki Whisky as a Toki cocktail, enhanced with Schweppes Beach, ginger syrup, Angostura bitters, and lemon zest.
Experimenting is encouraged—the extensive menu offers exciting new cocktail variations. Starting June 22nd, you can savor the exclusive Beam Suntory Signature Drinks at the Roku Summer Garden.
Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur or love to experiment, this is the perfect after-work spot. Here, you’ll find high-quality ingredients, expert craftsmanship, and unique, refreshing cocktails to enjoy.
Summer feeling with tea, citrus notes, herbs and lots of ice!
Eat, drink, party, network, and relax! Do you need a perfectly mixed cocktail after a day of shopping or sightseeing in Vienna? You want to kick off an evening of nightlife, or are you just looking for an after-work refreshment? The new pop-up Roku Summer Garden is the perfect spot.
Open all summer on the SO/Vienna terrace, the bar welcomes guests daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. It’s the ideal meeting point for connoisseurs. Enjoy a sundowner with a perfectly crafted cocktail to cool down—this is after-work bliss!
Inside the air-conditioned bar, the minimalist Japanese design of the Roku Garden creates a serene setting to unwind with a well-deserved drink after work.
Visit the Roku Summer Garden, a summer pop-up at Bar/terre on the ground floor of SO/Vienna, Praterstraße 1, 1020 Vienna. Open from June 22 to September 15, 2023, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Enjoy summer in style—the garden is fully covered, so you can savor the experience, rain or shine.
Roku: Perfectly balanced craft gin
Roku perfected gin-making in Japan, blending tradition with precision. Crafted with care, this balanced gin reflects Japanese craftsmanship. The House of Suntory in Osaka has produced spirits since 1936.
“Roku” means six, a lucky number in Japan. Roku Gin’s unique flavor comes from six Japanese botanicals: yuzu peel, sakura flower, sakura leaves, sencha tea, gyokuro tea, and sansho pepper, combined with eight traditional gin ingredients.
Each botanical is harvested in its peak season, following the “SHUN” principle, ensuring optimal flavor. Distilled separately, these ingredients release their full aroma. The result is a complex, harmonious gin, soft and velvety on the palate, created by Japanese masters with meticulous attention to detail.
Tasting Notes
- Alcohol content: 43% by volume
- Bottle size: 0.7l
- Aroma: Scent of cherry blossoms and green tea with hints of floral-sweet notes.
- Taste: Complex and layered, perfect harmony between classic gin taste and the special notes of Japanese botanicals. With yuzu as the main note. Soft and velvety on the palate.
- Aftertaste: Sansho pepper provides a slight spiciness in the aftertaste.
And here are a few recipe ideas for spring with the lucky charm from Japan:
Roku Sakura Highball
Ingredients:
- 4cl Roku Gin
- 300ml hot water
- Premium Indian Tonic Water
- 1cl fresh lemon juice
- 1 sachet of cherry tea
- Blossoms
- Ice cubes
Preparation:
Put the cherry tea in a cup of hot water and let it steep for about 8 minutes. Place in the fridge and let cool for about 15 minutes. Fill a glass with ice cubes. Add Roku Gin, lemon juice and 20ml cherry tea. Top up with tonic water. Finally garnish with a flower. The Roku Sakura Blossom Highball brings the cherry blossom magic of spring in Japan to us – in the form of a cocktail!
Roku Spring Bramble
Ingredients:
- 2.5cl Roku Gin
- 25ml jasmine tea
- 6 cherries
- 1 slice of lemon
- 2 teaspoons caster sugar
- Decoration: cherry
Preparation:
Halve and stone the cherries. Then mix in a glass with the lemon slice, sugar and tea until the sugar has dissolved and the flavors are well combined.
Roku Haru Collins
Ingredients:
- 5cl Roku Gin
- 25ml lemon juice
- 25ml elderflower syrup or sugar syrup
- 6 apple slices and a handful of mint
- Top up with chilled soda
- Decoration: fresh mint and apple
Preparation:
Fill the glass with ice, add all the ingredients except the soda and stir for 10 seconds. Add soda and garnish with mint and apple slices.
Of course, we also have recipe ideas for the summer for you:
Roku Natsu Spritz
Ingredients:
- 5cl Suntory Roku Gin
- half a fresh peach
- a handful of summer berries
- a teaspoon of honey
- 100ml tonic water
- Garnish: summer berries + grapefruit
Preparation:
Place ROKU and honey in a wine glass. Stir until the honey has completely dissolved. Add ice and fruit. Stir for 15 seconds. Top up with tonic and garnish. Seasonal ingredients: peach and berries.
Roku Kyoto Club
Ingredients:
- 5cl Suntory ROKU Gin
- 25 ml green tea (chilled)
- 25 ml lemon juice
- 15 ml raspberry syrup (sugar + raspberries)
- Garnish: raspberries
Preparation:
Fill the glass with ice. Add all ingredients. Stir for 30 seconds. Garnish. Seasonal Ingredients: Raspberries
Roku Gin & Tonic
Ingredients:
- 5cl Roku Gin
- 150ml premium tonic water
- 6 wafer-thin ginger sticks
Preparation:
The preparation is based on the “Spirit of Omotenashi” – the deep connection between guest and host – and is a refreshing ritual that should be shared with friends. Fill a long drink glass with ice cubes. Pour Roku Gin into the glass and top up with Premium Tonic Water. Add wafer-thin ginger sticks – this will bring out the flavours of the Japanese botanicals yuzu and sakura. Stir gently to blend the flavours.
More information and recipe ideas with Roku Gin at: www.rokugin.at
About SO/Vienna
SO/Vienna bursts with life, energy, and expression, captivating even the most seasoned travelers. The hotel’s playful yet rebellious take on luxury sets it apart in Vienna’s vibrant hotel scene.
“Just Say SO” defines the experience, combining avant-garde design, cool beats, and award-winning cuisine. Guests enjoy breathtaking views of Vienna, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
The Danube Canal, lined with unique bars, is a magnet for sun-loving locals. Stroll along the water, immerse yourself in Vienna’s culture, and admire the vibrant street art. Nearby, explore the old town’s historic landmarks and visit the famous Prater.
Vienna’s charm lies in its seamless blend of old and new. Amidst traditional architecture, modern buildings emerge, reflecting the city’s dynamic spirit. Art lovers will discover a thriving, young art scene that adds to Vienna’s cultural allure.
Here are more highlights from this successful opening event. Thanks to Beam Suntory Austria for the invitation, delicious food, and fantastic drinks! Photos by @medianomia Ralph Darabos.
