Cocktials with… Wessex Distillery’s Limited Edition Lemon & Rose Coronation Gin

Following on from their excellent Platinum Jubilee Gin release in 2022 (which didn’t last long in our house), Wessex Distillery have released a Coronation Gin. Bottled at 40.0% ABV, the gin features signature botanicals of lemon and rose. Since the last release, the distillery has also been awarded “Gin Producer of the Year” by IWSC, so a huge congratulations to them.

Given how much I enjoyed the last gin, I was very excited to try this when they kindly sent me a bottle.

The Taste

On its on
Nose: Solid, resinous juniper on the nose with zesty lemon and a little hint of rose.
Taste: A superb texture with notes of sweet rose and earthy angelica followed by the sparkle of pine needles. A more candied rose flavour then develops, before lingering lemon on the finish.

Gin & Tonic
An extremely crisp Gin & Tonic where the citrus really comes through. This is backed up by robust juniper notes and a gentle, floral wisp of rose. The combination works particularly well when garnished with a slice of lemon or lime. You could add some rose petals for a bit of a flourish, but they can make it difficult to drink.

Martini
A delicious Martini with a lovely oiliness that almost makes a garnish unnecessary; essentially the lemon is already built into the drink via the gin, but it is in no way overpowering. The rose is gentle, but pleasant, helping to lift the aromatics of the cocktail. The height of sophistication and elegance!

Negroni
A well-balanced Negroni that has a pleasant bitter-sweetness and good integration of flavours. There is a touch of rose honey on the finish, so a garnish of a lemon wedge rather than the more typical orange might be the order of the day.

Gin Highball
This drink is essentially gin and sparkling water/soda water, but is exceptionally refreshing and really allows all of the nuances of this particular gin to come through: citrus, spice, a little earthiness – a fantastic thirst quencher, especially when garnished with lime.

French ‘75
A bright and zingy drink with the merest “kiss from a rose” in the background (Seal would be happy). The Coronation Gin adds just the right touch of decadence that a drink like this deserves. Delicious!

In Conclusion
This is a wonderful gin and even though I know some gin aficionados typically like something stronger than 40.0% ABV, the way the gin has been distilled means that it really does punch above its weight in terms of flavour, so ultimately the ABV just means you’re paying a bit less tax.

Even after the coronation, this gin is well worth seeking out and is perfect for summer celebrations. The Martini was my favourite of the drinks that I tried.

Wessex Distillery’s Limited Edition Lemon & Rose Coronation Gin is available for around £39.95 for 70cl from their website. You can currently get a discount, however: use KING10 for 10% off!

Many thanks to Jonathan and all the team at Wessex for supplying me with the bottle and congratulations on the big win!

Origins of the Gin Tonic?

It has been a question that made many a drinker, bartender, and writer wonder for many years; when was the Gin & Tonic invented? I recall one noted writer saying something like, “If tonic water was invented in the morning, then the Gin & Tonic was invented in the afternoon – after all, they usually drank beer in the morning.” A nod to how obvious the combination now seems.

Unless it was impeccably documented, the first occurrence of the two being combined will be impossible to ascertain. Even drinks created in the last few decades have suffered a similar fate. At best, writers can find the earliest possible references.

My starting point was 1858, when there are records of Erasmus Bond’s patent for “improved aerated tonic liquid” and, given that the oldest detailed recipe I have come across from a 1938 advertisement for Gilbey’s Gin, the first reference must pre-date that.

The Earliest Reference so far:

August 4th 1875 – The Medical Press & Circular – Page 88

Article titled:
“Indian Medical Notes – XLII  (From Our Special Correspondent) – Meerut, June 1875

Meerut is a city in the Uttar Pradesh Province in India’s North, about 200km south of the Himalayas. In this article, the correspondent talks about health and well-being, in particular warnings of avoiding “savoury sausage made with offal-fed pork, carrion, stale fish, sour beer, bad milk, or the cool refreshing cucumber.“

The correspondent goes onto the suggest that:

“Careful officers have a cup of tea about five in the morning, then, perhaps, about nine or ten, oatmeal porridge, fried mullet, strawberries, or sliced tomatoes – perhaps a light lunch of cold chicken, perhaps none; perhaps sherry and bitters at the club – the comfortable Wheler Club – perhaps a gin tonic well iced – anything to sustain Nature until eight o’clock dinner when the cautious drink claret or a little sherry”

“PERHAPS A GIN TONIC – WELL ICED”

What is noteworthy is the term “Gin Tonic” – no “and” or ampersand – and that it is iced, putting play to the idea that the British don’t like ice in their gin tonics; it is possible that a Mel Gibson character in the 1982 film, “The Year of Living Dangerously” is responsible for this.

My one concern was that “gin tonic” may refer to some other sort of medicinal mix, but a reference in the 1883 book, “Sunny Lands and Seas: A Voyage in the S.S. Ceylon” adds clarity. The author seeks consolation of “tin gonics” after an encounter at Hill’s Hotel in Lucknow, another Indian city in Utter Pradesh, on 17th January 1882.

In the foot notes, “tin gonics” are explained as: “gin tonics, vis. gin & tonic water”.

So it seems that, at the time that the Indian article was written, “gin tonic” did refer to gin and tonic water. It also suggests that tonic was an entity in its own right, i.e. not a home-brewed concoction.

What would it have tasted like?

This is a difficult question to answer, but we do have some information:
· 1875 was after the advent of continuous distillation and a time when gin was sold in bottles. It was also becoming dryer. Gin brands of the time included Tanqueray, Booth’s, Gordon’s, Plymouth, Gilbey’s, and Beefeater.

· The 1870s is when Schweppes released and began to export their “Indian Tonic Water”, so the tonic water was quite possibly sparkling and pre-bottles.

· The opening of the Suez Canal and introduction of the steam ship would have made it quicker and cheaper to obtain British export in India.

The next step
I firmly believe that there are other nuggets of information that can shed more light on the Gin Tonic’s origins and maybe even push its proven date of origin back a few more years. I look forward to further revelations.

Cocktails with… Redsmith Gin

One of the really exciting things that has been going on in the UK recently is the return of distilleries to some of those cities in Britain that have not had a new distillery for a century or two. Examples include Bath, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, and Sheffield; all now (or soon will) boast their own distilleries.

Another example is Nottingham, which has also got its own new distillery: Redsmith Distillery in Ruddington, just 5 miles south of the city.

Bottled at 43.0% ABV, the gin is made using a mix of 9 botanicals, including: juniper, coriander, and orange.

On its own
Nose: Bright citrus with some green, leafy herbal notes, plus pine blossom mixed with lavender.
Taste: This has an excellent, luxurious texture with a little sweet spice upfront. Savoury, leafy salad notes are followed by a crescendo of citrus and juniper, along with a long, aromatic finish of pine and just a touch of black pepper.

Gin & Tonic
Wow! Sparklingly bright and invigorating; lovely citrus notes come through, as well as more subtle leafy notes, all before a classic, dry finish.

Martini
Crunchy, leafy notes upfront make this a refreshing cocktail. They are accompanied by floral spiced notes. It is clean and refreshing, with a lovely brightness to it. An excellent pre-dinner cocktail.

Negroni
Another excellent drink: bold, intense, and juicy. The gin comes through well and works well with the drink’s strong, bitter finish. This has great balance – a true classic.

The Sheriff
A variation on the Peter Cushing, this cocktail is a nod to the actor playing the Sheriff of Nottingham in the 1960 film, The Sword of Sherwood Forest.
[50ml Redsmith Gin, 25ml Stone’s Ginger Wine, 5 dashes of Orange Bitters – SHAKE]
Sublime! The bitters and the bright citrus of the gin work superbly well together with some light floral notes that intermingle with the sweet ginger. Spicy and zesty – excellent refreshment.

In Conclusion
Redsmith is a bright and bouncy gin, full of life and delicious, complex flavours, including a mix of citrus and fresh greens. Many a fine drink will be supped with this this summer. My favourites of those that I tried were the Gin Tonic and The Sheriff.

Redsmith Website

Redsmith Twitter – @redsmithdistill

Redsmith Facebook

Cocktails with… Sipsmith House of Commons Gin

The Visitors Centre in the House of Commons has a plethora of gifts available for purchase, from tea towels to jigsaws, postcards to teddy bears. They also sell booze: a variety of spirits, wine, and beer. Recently, Sipsmith were awarded the contract to provide the “House of Commons” Gin. Excitingly, this is bottled at 40.7% ABV, which is lower than their standard 41.6% ABV. This lower ABV results in a different flavour.

On its own
Nose: Citrus and vanilla, with a great selection of rich, plummy fruit notes and pine jelly.
Taste: Exceptionally smooth palate, with notes of spicy coriander upfront, as well as some earthy floral notes, before creamy citrus and a long, dry finish with just a hint of black pepper. Overall, this is a complex, smooth, and very accessible spirit.

Gin & Tonic
A sparkly nose with a little spice and pepper, with citrus and angelica. This is a luscious Gin & Tonic: delicate, fresh, smooth, succulent, and oh so refreshing, with a fine lemon flavour running throughout. Light and everything you could want from a Gin & Tonic.

Martini
A smooth and full-textured drink with a hint of sweetness and citrus, before a clean, crisp, and dry finish. Easy to drink, but with a powerful character.

Negroni
A well-integrated, mellow, and soft Negroni. Accessible, even to those who are not usually Negroni fans. There is a very crisp, gently sharp note of juniper, before light spice and the signature herbal bitterness of the cocktail come into play.

In Conclusion
Th gin worked well in all drinks providing a more mellow gin flavour to the other higher ABV Sipsmiths. An excellent gin for lunchtime or the afternoon. My favourite drink was the gin tonic.

Sipsmith House of Commons Gin (Available exclusively from the Jubilee Gift Shop (the one inside Parliament) £28 for 70cl, 40.7% ABV)

Cocktails with… Anno Dry Gin

Anno Gin is made by Anno Distillery in Kent. The name “Anno” comes from the first two letters of the founders’ first names: Andy and Norman.

The gin, which is bottled at 43.0% ABV, is produced in a copper pot still and is made using botanicals that include: Juniper, Coriander, Angelica, Orris, Liquorice, Cassia, Cubeb Berries, Lemon, Bitter Orange, and Tahitian Lime Leaves.

There are also a selection of locally-sourced botanicals that capture the terroir of the distillery’s region:
Kentish Hops
Lavender
Elderflower
Rosehips
Camomile
Samphire

Anno also make a Sloe Gin, a Cranberry Gin, and an Elderflower Vodka, but it is their dry gin that I am tasting today.

Neat (at room temperature)
Appearance: Clear, bright, clean and sediment-free.
Nose: Crisp, piney juniper, angelica, and citrus. There is also a touch of florality, some leafy, herbal notes, and the faintest hint of dark chocolate. Complex and inviting.
Taste: Soft to start, with a rich, full texture and a complexity of flavour that grows as you sip. The palate starts with classic juniper, before moving towards some citrus and then some sweet spiced notes and a hint of dark cocoa.
Finish: Bold and long, with leafy herbal notes, as well as the noticeable, but not overpowering, Kentish Hops. Balanced, with a crisp, dry lift at the very end.

Overall, this is a Classic style of gin with a Kentish twist.

Neat (from the freezer)
Floral citrus really comes through on the nose, as well as a hint of celery. It has a lovely thick and viscous texture – delightful; the low temperature really brings out the unique characteristics of the gin such as floral notes and the leafy hops. Whilst still dry and full of juniper, this serving gives the gin a more contemporary edge.

Gin & Tonic
Classic, clean and crisp. It is dry to start, with a zesty citrus middle and a long, dry finish. Very refreshing with subtle spice and herbal notes giving it a distinguished quality.

In Conclusion
Anno Gin is a great example of how distillers can capture the character of their surroundings in a gin whilst still keeping that recognisable dry gin flavour. I especially enjoyed sipping it from the freezer.

Cocktails with… Pierde Almas +9 Botanical Gin

Yesterday I had the great pleasure to hear Jonathan Barbieri from Pierde Almas Mezcal discuss the finer points of his Mezcal range at an excellent tutored tasting at Amathus, Soho. Whilst the Mezcals were fascinating and delicious it was the last product of the day that caught my attention.

Pierde Almas +9 Botanical Mezcal (Gin) has caused some discussion between myself and my good friend of http://www.theGinIsIn.com (America’s Gin Reviewer) as to whether a product that doesn’t call itself gin be a gin, does the inclusion of juniper in any botanical spirit automatically make it gin?

The question was resolved when I asked the distiller himself, who answered that it was a gin but that US regulation state that a product can only be classified in one drinks category thus a spirit cannot be a gin-mezcal or mezcal-gin.

The Pierde Almas Gin uses a double distillation of Espadin as a base, nine classic botanicals are then steeped in the spirit for 24 hours before distillation. Some botanicals are also suspended above the spirit in a mesh bag; “like a big tea-bag, but made from a hair net” in the top of the still (gin head) forming a rudimentary version of vapour infusion.

The nine botanicals are:

Juniper
Coriander
Angelica
Orange
Orris
Cassia
Star Anise
Fennel
Nutmeg

The gin is bottled at 45.0% ABV and uses a slow distillation that results in a daily production of around 20 litres.

The Taste

Own
nose: smoke and citrus, with some savoury elements reminiscent of roasted peppers. As it opens up piney juniper and fennel come forward as well as a little sweet jammy citrus.

taste: A very smooth spirits, characteristic of the Pierde Almas Mezcals, the flavours of the Espadin comes through to start with a hint of vanilla. There is then unmistakable juniper in the middle; rich piney with a hint of resin. This is followed by some sweeter notes from the herbs such as the anise and fennel and there is a long dry finish with a little angelica, fennel and the residual character of the spirit base. It would be all to easy for the mezcal flavours to take over but, for me, there is a sense of harmony between the base and the botanicals.

Gin & Tonic
A very unusual gin and tonic very smoky but with bright and fresh botanical flavours. The choice of tonic would be important here and for best results I think perhaps embracing the herbal nature of something like Fevertree Mediterranean or 1724 would be worthwhile. In addition I think the extra attention given when mixing a fine Gin Tonica with the aroma and flavours that goes with that serve and its thoughtful garnishes would be worth the extra effort. This is not a typical Gin & Tonic and may not appeal to the ardent traditionalist, however I think it is smashing.

Martini
Delightful the chilled down gin is softened and allows some of the more delicate sweet spice notes to come through such a creamy vanilla, which works well with the dry vermouth. There is a little saltiness and a touch of smoke. This is a drink that will appeal to traditionalists and newbies alike.

Negroni
Fantastic nose smoky agave and wider mezcal notes mixed with juniper, fennel and anise. A rich and smooth Negroni will a charming interplay between the smoky mezcal notes and the bitterness of the Campari. However, the gin notes of the drink are not simply defined by the gin’s base and there is certainly plenty of the juicy citrus along with angelica and the botanicals noted on the nose. I’ve never had anything like it, simply delightful and a new favourite.

Cocktails with Bummer & Lazarus Dry Gin

I recently reviewed the British Chilgrove Gin which was the first in the UK to be distilled using Grape Neutral Spirit so it was great to try a comparative product from California.

Bummer & Lazarus Dry Gin is distilled at the Raff Distillerie on Treasure Island, San Francisco, California. they also make an Absinthe (also base of grape spirit), and are working on a Rum Agricole and a Bourbon.

Bummer & Lazarus Dry Gin – http://www.raffdistillerie.com/gin.html

The gin is named after two dogs that roamed the streets of San Francisco in the mid 19th century. The grape neutral spirit is sourced from 100% Californian grapes and this is then re-distilled with a selection of botanicals including:

Juniper
Coriander
Angelica
Lemon
Orange
Orris
Cinnamon
Liquorice

The Taste

Own
nose: very very fruity; the base spirit is quite evident on the nose with orange and some broader chocolate notes as well as fennel and a touch of dry juniper.
taste: a very smooth texture, as you may expect from a grape spirit base. There is a rich plump fruitiness with coriander, orange and grapefruit citrus. A touch of coconut and a hint of pine precede a long dry fruity finish with a pleasant warmth.

Gin & Tonic
A very fruity gin and tonic full of plump grapes as well as crisp green apple and pear notes and a little sweetness – the drink is reminiscent of apple jelly or jam. For a garnish I think the crispness of lime contrasts well with the more confectionery elements of the gin.

Martini
As a diamond-method Martini I think this really works, lots of the pear and apple fruity notes come through as well as some sweetness followed by plump, luscious grape flavours. There is bright juniper, coriander, citrus and spice. A very clean and silky Martini with both the flavour and texture of the base spirit coming through.

Negroni
Very fruity with a smooth succulence courtesy of the grape spirit there are hints of pear and almond too, slightly reminiscent of a bakewell tart. After these flavours, the herbal elements of the vermouth become more pronounced followed by the herbal bitterness of the Campari. A full-bodied drink, with bitterness. Overall it is quite well-rounded.

 

Cocktails with Sun Liquor Gins – from Seattle, USA

Seattle is a hotbed of distilling at the moment, with gin-making distilleries scattered throughout. One that was a mere stone’s throw from our hotel was Sun Liquor (another being Copperworks). Sun Liquor has a bar attached to their distillery, where they currently make two gins, a vodka, and two rums.

Today’s focus is on the unusually named Hedgetrimer Gin. Why Hedgetrimer? My understanding is that the flavours of the gin somewhat evoke the scents and flavours of a hedgerow, with its mix of leafy green herbal and rich fruit notes.

The gin is bottled at 42.0% ABV and is made using a mix of 9 botanicals. The base spirit is in-house using unmalted (non-GMO) organic wheat. The spirit is twice distilled in Scottish copper pot stills and, after the initial distillation, the botanicals are rested for 24 hours.

The nine botanicals include:
Juniper
Coriander
Angelica
Fresh lemon peel
Fresh orange peel
Grains of Paradise
Sarsaparilla root
Cannonball watermelons rind

On its own
Nose: Soft pine juniper, a little saltiness and other savoury, herbal notes such as black pepper. Then coriander and fresh citrus.
Taste: Plenty of coriander followed by angelica, pine and citrus. This has a smooth, creamy texture, with warmth towards the end. A pretty classic gin with good balance.

Gin & Tonic
The Hedgetrimer Gin & Tonic is, as you might imagine from the name, piney and zesty. It’s quite a classic style, with a good amount of dryness, but refreshing, too, and the gin stands up well to the tonic. Lemon would be my garnish of choice.

Martini
A smooth Martini, with lots of juniper. This is a really good example of a dry Martini with lots of flavour; after the dry juniper and pine, there is a little citrus and spice.

Negroni
A simple and straightforward Negroni, but one that ticks all of the boxes. Smooth, with a bitter-sweet finish.

The gin is bottled at 50.0% ABV and is made using a mix of 13 botanicals. The base spirit is made in-house using unmalted (non-GMO) organic wheat. The spirit is twice distilled in Scottish copper pot stills and, after the initial distillation, the botanicals are rested for 48 hours.

Botanicals include:

Juniper Berries
Coriander Seed
Angelica Root
Fresh Orange Peel
Orris Root
Cassia Bark
Birch Leaves
Fresh organic Cranberries

 

On its own
Nose: A crisp nose of juniper and lime.
Taste: Bold in flavour and with little burn, this has notes of angelica and juniper, followed by sweet spice, such as cassia, and then some floral notes: violet and hibiscus. The dry finish is of coriander and bright and zesty citrus.

Gin & Tonic
Bold flavours, with plenty of spice, especially cassia and cardamom. This is followed by dry, citrus and juniper, plus softer angelica notes. Definitely a punchy, quaffable, and delicious drink!

Martini
Superb – everything I look for in a Martini: powerful and chilling, and a cocktail that that really wakes you up. There’s a symphony of botanical flavours with a good juniper solo, a citrus and herbal chorus, and a finish that lasts, just like a great tune that’s stuck in your head. Excellent.

Negroni
A very solid Negroni, although maybe a little sweeter, spicier, and creamier than many others. There’s a good bitterness on the finish, making this a first-class Negroni with flair.

Cocktails with… Langley No:8 Gin

The Langley Distillery near Birmingham is a well-respected and established gin producer, making gins for brands such as Broker’s and Martin Miller’s, but, until last year, had no gin whose name reflected its own heritage. That was until Langley No:8, a gin made using a mix of 8 botanicals that is distilled in the copper pot still, Constance. The base spirit is English grain and the gin is bottled at 41.7% ABV.

On its own
Nose: A rich, fruity nose with bright citrus and rich herbal notes intermingled with hint of rose.
Taste: Some juniper to start, then coriander and some sweet spice notes – cassia, for instance. This then moves onto a brighter citrus note and a dry, lightly floral finish.

Gin & Tonic
Lots of lemon and even a hint of sherbert make this a refreshing drink, great served with lots of ice and a lemon garnish. Simple, but easy to drink and accessible to all.

Martini
Unusually, I garnished this with pomelo peel, but I think it actually works really well. This is a very classic, very clean Martini that has a good amount of botanical intensity; its flavours work particularly well with the citrus oils from the garnish.

Gentleman’s Martini
[50ml Langley No8, 15ml Dry Vermouth, 5ml Olive Water – STIR]
A rather savoury Martini with the olive flavours really coming through, using olive water rather than brine prevents the drink from being too salty. A clean drink with some good crispness and herbal notes.

Negroni
A good bitterness upfront, then some sweeter, herbal notes: wormwood and citrus peel, as well as sweeter herbs. There is a long, clean and bitter finish from the Campari, although it is a bright, crisp bitterness, rather than a dark, earthy one. Refreshing. This does work well when garnished with ruby grapefruit.

Langley Station Master
This variation on the Martini is superb, the drinks i made by pouring stirred-down gin into a glass that has been rinsed with Lagavulin 16 (or other smoky whisky). For extra pow! (should you need any) I can recommend pouring the gin straight from the freezer with no dilution at all.

Gimlet
A crisp and vibrant drink: the citrus flavours of the gin work well with the cordial, providing a good balance between sweet and tart. A good alternative to a pre-dinner Martini.

Cocktails with… Filliers Dry Gin & Tangerine Gin – from Belgium!

Today, we are revisiting the SummerFruitCup World of Gin by adding another gin from a different country to the collection. We are not travelling too far, but we do need to nip over to the continent, to Belgium.

The product in question comes from Filliers Distillery, a distillery located on a farm near the River Lys in Bachte-Maria-Leerne, in the East Flanders, which was founded in 1880 by Karel Lodewijk Filliers. The distillery made and still makes a range of genevers, but, in 1928, third generation distiller, Firmin Filliers, came up with the recipe for Filliers Dry Gin 28. The 28 has a double meaning: not only does it represent the year in which it was created, but also the number of botanicals used in its production (in addition to juniper).

Filliers Original
Nose: Soft, piney juniper upfront, which gives way to some sweet citrus and then moves onto almost raisin-like spice and a hint of nutty dark chocolate.
Taste: Very plump and luscious mouth-feel, with a rather juicy flavour. Like the nose, there’s sappy juniper upfront, with a hint of saltiness, which then changes into lively, floral citrus notes and coriander. The spice then kicks in, with a very long, dry finish of pine and a little spice. Clearly, this is a spirit made with care and the natural transition between the flavours as you sip is a mark of its quality.

Gin & Tonic
Delicious: a very pure Gin & Tonic, with both the gin and the tonic coming through well and providing crisp refreshment. The flavours are both defined and refined, with juniper, citrus and then some sweet spice. Very good and succulent. I personally like to serve this drink with a ruby grapefruit garnish.

Martini
Another great gin, right juniper as well as some spice, such as anise or fennel, and a citrus finish. This cocktail has a rich texture and is very satisfying to drink, with a sweet lift at the end. Certainly not to be missed.

Negroni
Near perfection as Negronis go – just right in terms of balance: the dryness of the gin, the sweet herbal flavour of the red vermouth and then the deeper, bitter, earthy notes of the Campari are in equilibrium with each other. This is certainly one for the hard-core Negroni fans, or, indeed, anyone who wants to see what all the fuss over this drink is about.

Filliers Tangerine

This is a special, seasonal edition of the Dry Gin 28, made with tangerines from Valencia, which have been harvested exclusively between November and January.

Gin & Tonic
A clean drink with luscious, fruity tangerine flavours coming through, but not overpowering the drink. All-in-all, this is succulent and very refreshing. The
orange-like citrus notes work well with the tonic and, with a fresh citrus garnish, this would be even better. It works well with Schweppes and Fevertree,
but I’d steer away from the more citrusy tonics like Fentimans.

Martini
Superb. The flavours of many orange or other citrus gins are just too overpowering to make a good Martini, but Filliers Tangerine hits the spot, making a drink that’s smooth, crisp and zesty. Very enjoyable.

Negroni
An excellent Negroni – intensely bitter, with a great zestiness from the tangerine and some bitter citrus oils coming through that work particularly well alongside the Campari. Rather bracing, but brilliant at the same time.

Filliers Tangerine Comet
[1oz Orange Gin, 1oz Lillet Blanc, 2 Dashes Maraschino, STIR]
This is a great drink and one of my favourites to make using orange/tangerine gin. The citrus of the gin works well with the citrus of the Lillet and the wine gives the drink a lovely, lively freshness. The maraschino adds a little depth and some extra sweetness, too. Perfect for an aperitif.

In Conclusion

Both of these gins are superb, not just in terms of their fine packaging, but the great flavours and craftsmanship evident in the spirits. The dry gin makes a fantastic Negroni and is very much an example of a premium gin. The tangerine is rich and luscious and works superbly, both on its own and when mixed.