What flavours and aromas make you think of summer? Maybe it’s strawberries and cream, salty sea breezes or roses in the garden. Whatever summer means to you, it’s a safe bet that a gin distiller will be trying to bottle it…
One of the most appealing things about the gin category is the sheer variety of botanicals that can be used to create flavour. A botanical is anything that’s derived from plants: herbs, spices, berries, leaves, bark, roots or flowers. These can be grown locally or imported from exotic locations around the world.
This means that as gin drinkers, we have plenty of choice when it comes to finding a favourite bottle. But why stick with just one?
A taste of summer
Although I have my year-round list of go-to gins, I like to give my drinks selection a seasonal refresh. In summer I’m looking for lighter, fresher tastes and aromas.
The selection of bottles below includes new releases, such as the seaside-inspired Papa Salt, a gin created by Australian actress Margot Robbie and friends, that uses native botanicals wattle seed, waxflower and hibiscus. There are also reliable favourites like Porters Tropical Old Tom Gin and Spanish Gin Mare.
I’ve also selected a few great-tasting seasonal editions. The distilleries that produce them use a whole range of summery botanicals – from fresh strawberries or fragrant rose petals to seaside plants such as rock samphire and sea purslane – to conjure up a summer day in a bottle. Enjoy!
Summer gin: 15 bottles to try
Adnams Jardín Mexicano
Credit: Anthony Cullen
This vegan gin is made with 10 botanicals inspired by Mexican cookery, including avocado leaf, lime peel and coriander. Delivering a classic hit of juniper, it’s also leafy, fresh and herbaceous with a hint of smokiness on the nose. Silky textured and with a subtle chilli spice kick to the finish, it makes a really refreshing G&T. Garnish with lime. Alcohol 40%
Anaë
This grape-based organic gin from France was created by the Bollinger group, drawing on the expertise of Dominiqe Touteau, cellar master at Delamain Cognac and master distiller Philippe Lacile among others. Distilled in the Cognac region, Anaë’s native French botanicals include chamomile, cornflowers, lemon thyme, lemon verbena and maceron (also known as marsh pepper) hand-harvested on the lle de Ré. The result is a distinctively herbal gin, with notes of lemon verbena, sage and thyme, plus dried Mediterranean herbs and dried flowers, balanced by fresh lemon citrus and spice. Alc 43%
Bullards Coastal Gin
Inspired by the Norfolk coastline, botanicals include hand-foraged sea aster, marsh samphire and sea purslane. I love the coastal aromas: notes of seaweed and wet stone, like walking over rock pools. There’s a breezy salinity to the citrus palate, with a salt and black pepper finish, that makes for a crisp, clean G&T. Even better, Bullards offers refills in eco pouches that can be posted back free for upcycling. Alc 40%
East London Liquor Co Kew Gardens Gin
Credit: Charlie McKay
Taking inspiration from the plants and pollinators that can be found in London’s world-famous botanical gardens, this gin includes lavender and sweet orange among its botanicals. A classic style with plenty of juniper, but edged with floral notes, especially lavender, and plenty of citrus and pine freshness. Enjoy it in a floral G&T in your own garden. Alc 42%
Gin Mare
A Mediterranean holiday in a bottle. This reliably good Spanish gin is distilled in an 18th century chapel in an old fishing village near Barcelona, with key botanicals arbequina olives, thyme, rosemary and basil. Richly herbaceous aromas lead to a creamy palate with strong flavours of basil and dried Mediterranean herbs, over a fresh piney juniper core. Savoury olive notes linger on the finish. Enjoy it in an ice-cold G&T with a sprig of rosemary. Alc 42.7%
Isle of Wight Distillery Mermaid Gin
Queen Victoria liked to spend summers on the Isle of Wight and this eye-catching gin from the island’s distillery captures the spirit of a seaside holiday. Its 10 ethically sourced botanicals include rock samphire, known locally as mermaid’s kiss. With salty ozone freshness, bright herbal tones and a long citrus finish it makes a well-balanced, fresh and creamy G&T. Alc 42%
Masons of Yorkshire Fruits of the Tropics
The Masons of Yorkshire distillery was launched in 2013 by husband-and-wife team Karl and Cathy Mason. In celebration of the distillery’s 10th anniversary the duo have released this seasonal special edition, which is a tropical carnival in a glass. A London Dry style, it’s packed with tropical fruit notes – banana, pineapple, mango and passionfruit – plus sweet orange and grapefruit citrus, with balancing spice. Try it in a Tom Colins, with lemon juice, sugar syrup and sod water. Alc 38%
Mediterranean Gin by Léoube
Credit: Marie de Chesse
Provence winery Château Léoube launched its small-batch gin earlier this year. Capturing the essence of summer in the south of France, local botanicals include wild Mediterranean herbs, citrus peel, almonds and olives. These are distilled with a base of grape alcohol from the château’s organic winery. Offering distinctive garrigue and green olive aromas, this gin has a super-smooth and creamy palate, with a burst of vibrant citrus on the finish, plus dried herbs and savoury olive tapenade. Delicious! Alc 41.5%
Melifera
Christophe Amigorena’s organic French gin is distilled with nine botanicals including immortelle flowers, hand-harvested in the sand dunes of Île d’Oléron on the Atlantic coast. Fragrant and elegant, with lifted juniper notes and delicate floral and herbal aromas, this is a delicious gin; rich and creamy on the palate with soft herbal notes of rosemary and thyme, some lip smacking saltiness on the finish and pink peppercorn spice. Alc 43%
O’ndina
Inspired by the Italian Riviera – O’ndina means ‘little wave’ – this gin is produced by the makers of Campari. Its blend of 19 botanicals is based around Italian herbs, including marjoram, fennel, sage and fresh Basilico Genovese DOP, as well as citrus from Southern Italy. In the glass it’s savoury and herbal, with notes of thyme, fresh basil and black pepper over a base of punchy juniper and fresh citrus, plus lemon verbena lingering on the finish. Given the Camapri conection it seems only right to mix up a Negroni, but it’s a versatile choice for any of your favourite gin cocktails. Alc 45%
Otterbeck Strawberry & Pink Peppercorn Cotton Gin
Housed in an old cotton mill, Otterbeck Distillery includes local botanicals from the Yorkshire Dales in its gins. This seasonal bottling uses strawberries grown by local farmer Annabel Makin-Jones, alongside hand-foraged nettle leaves and Yorkshire watercress. Loaded with sweet ripe fresh strawberry notes, balanced by a tingle of pink peppercorn, it makes a strawberries-and-cream summer afternoon G&T. Alc 42%
Papa Salt
Designed for sipping beside the sea, this coastal gin was created by five Aussie friends, including actress Margot Robbie. An interesting rollcall of botanicals includes native Australian wattle seed and waxflower, pink peppercorns, hibiscus and citrus peel. Fresh and floral aromas, followed by a spicy salt-and-pepper palate with hints of roasted nuts and oyster shell minerality. Pair it with soda or tonic and freshly sliced lemon. Alc 43%
Porters Tropical Old Tom Gin
Created by bartenders in a micro-distillery in Aberdeen, this gin is made in an Old Tom style: a traditional 18th century recipe that’s slightly sweeter than London Dry. I love the fresh and faintly tropical aromas, with sappy leafiness, pineapple and floral touches. On the palate the Old Tom sweetness is balanced by fresh tropical fruit – pineapple, mango – edged in florals but also with earthy base notes, like walking through a humid rain forest. Makes the perfect summer G&T. Alc 40%
Salcombe Gin Start Point – Offshore Strength
Devon’s Salcombe Distillery has partnered with Royal Ocean Racing Club to produce this new navy strength version of its classic London Dry Start Point. A percentage of sales from each bottle is donated to ocean recovery projects. Made with a blend of 13 botanicals, including grapefruit, lime and cardamom, it’s an elegant, well-balanced citrus style gin, with lovely freshness. Enjoy it in a G&T beside the sea, garnished with a slice of pink grapefruit. Alc 50%
Silent Pool English Rose Gin
With its pretty pale pink hue, Silent Pool is one of the best rose gins out there. Very elegant with perfumed floral aromas of freshly picked roses, alongside notes of rosewater and Turkish delight that linger on the crisp finish. Try it in an English Rose Tom Collins: mix 50ml of gin with 25ml each of lemon juice and sugar syrup, then top with soda water. Ideal for summer garden parties. Alc 42%
