Quaff Club: 6 fab fruity new gins for summer
Does anything say English summer more than a G&T in the garden? Here’s our educated pick of this season’s best new fruity blends. I know, it was a tough job, but somebody had to do it.
Ice and a slice? We’ll take a gin and tonic any time of year, but there’s something really special about a G&T over the balmy summer months, when the heat is up, inhibitions are down and it’s garden party central. World Gin Day happened last weekend of course but you know at Muddy we like to keep the party going (!), so let’s just call it Gin June, shall we? Here are our favourite fruity new botanical blends for summer, all so lovely you’ll find it tough to choose just one. In which case, may we suggest you simply try them all?
Mirabeau Dry Gin
If you can’t bag Provence for a holiday this summer, how about drinking it instead? This new gin from Maison Mirabeau is all lemon, coriander and orris root, rose, lavender, jasmine, bay, thyme and rosemary – many of which grow near the chateau. Unusually for a gin it’s grape-based, and it tastes like the South of France transported, cypress trees and all. I drank this with sprig of rosemary and a dash of tonic, and then stared at the bottle lovingly because, let’s be honest, it’s almost as pretty as the drink.
Greensand Ridge Raspberry Ghost
This one’s a bit special as this gin is technically an ‘eau de vie’, using fermented Kent raspberries, but is best drunk like a gin, ideally with tonic water, lemon and mint. Distilled using 100% renewable energy by Greensand Ridge, one of the UK’s leading sustainable distilleries, it comes in at a gratifying ABV 40%. Don’t expect a liqueur’s sickly sweetness here, it’s a delicate raspberry aroma, creamy and smooth on the palate, with a raspberry punch to finish. I ‘tested’ this one several times just be sure! There’s quite the range at Greensand Ridge, with a Blackberry Ghost, and both mango and apricot eau de vies, or if you’re fruited out there’s the award-winning London Dry to whet your appetite, as well as gin tours.
Mermaid Zest Gin
Known for its gorgeous fish scale bottle, Mermaid Gin is one to pull to the front of the drinks cabinet when your girlfriends come over. This new blend from the Isle of Wight Distillery offers hints of grapefruit, bergamot and rosemary. I have to say I really like citrus-infused gins, and this one is a fresh, piquant choice for a hot day. Serve with lemon and a rosemary garnish.
Sipsmith Strawberry Smash Gin
The iconic London distillers went straight to the actual grower of strawberries for Wimbledon to infuse its new gin for this summer. Add to that a hint of garden mint and you have possibly the most quintessential English gin to sip while you cheer on Andy Murray and the rest of the British contingent (Radacanu’s out with an injury but I have a good idea what she can drink to drown her sorrows). The strawberry flavour is actually surprisingly pared back so if you’re looking for a fruit overload you’re in the wrong place. I liked its delicacy though, particularly garnished with fresh mint and a slice of strawberry, or as a Collins with lemon and soda.
M&S blackberry & elderflower gin
I have to be in the mood for a gin liqueur but this blackberry and elderflower gin, part of a new range of fruity gin liqueurs from M&S, was dreamy – sweet to be sure, but the inclusion of rosehip and rosemary gives it depth too. I served mine with a chilled Crémante, though it would work equally well I think with ice, tonic and a garnish of fresh blackberries for a sweet take on a Bramble cocktail. Available from Marks & Spencer (£12 for 700ml).
Bathtub Gin Persian Lime & Orange Blossom
Taking its name from illicit gins concocted in bath tubs during prohibition, Bathtub Gin’s new Persian Lime and Orange Blossom summer offering is a citrus blast of lime peel and orange oil alongside floral aromatics. It’s definitely zesty but it doesn’t overwhelm – juniper and spices keep the citrus in check. I really liked it, and I love the hand wrapped paper, string and wax conceit too ( be warned if you’re thirsty, it takes a while to break into it!).