In case you’re in search of a memorable gin present, try our picks of the high 5 most uncommon gins we have tried. For extra, go to our opinions part to search out greater than 400 sensible purchaser’s guides, together with style checks of gin, vodka, rum and brandy, plus round-ups of one of the best rhubarb, pink and citrus gin.
Greatest flavoured gins at a look
- Greatest rhubarb gin: Warner’s rhubarb gin, £30.09
- Greatest crimson wine gin: 4 Pillars Bloody Shiraz gin, £42.95
- Greatest lemon gin: Malfy Gin Con Limone, £29.95
- Greatest raspberry gin: Whitley Neill raspberry gin, £27.75
- Greatest flavoured gin for autumn: Bathtub damson and bay gin, £34.95
- Greatest plum gin: Edinburgh Gin plum and vanilla liqueur, £14.94
- Greatest pineapple gin: Boutique-y Gin Firm spit-roasted pineapple gin, £33.95
- Greatest sloe gin: Elephant sloe gin, £32.75
- Greatest improve for gin liqueur followers: Edinburgh Gin rhubarb and ginger gin, £24.45
- Greatest strawberry gin: Didsbury strawberry and Sicilian lemon gin, £24.95
- Greatest orange gin: Sipsmith zesty orange gin, £32.24
- Greatest cherry gin: Gordon’s Morello cherry, £18.50
- Greatest passionfruit gin: Gordon’s tropical ardour fruit, £18.50
- Greatest rosemary gin: Bathtub rosemary and grapefruit gin, £34.95
How we examined flavoured gins
We seemed for one of the best examples of standard flavoured gins (the sort you’d discover in bars and pubs) – so predominantly fruit-based gins, similar to rhubarb, raspberry or lemon. Alongside these classics, we additionally seemed for artistic flavours, similar to crimson wine or oak-aged gins.
The flavour of the fruit or spice needs to be identifiable when examined blind. Flavoured gins can usually be overpoweringly candy – we needed well-balanced gins that weren’t sickly and nonetheless had sufficient bitter notes from juniper and aromatics. Gins had been tasted with plain tonic after which with lemonade to evaluate how nicely they tasted with completely different mixers. Learn extra on how we check and overview merchandise at BBC Good Meals.
Greatest flavoured gins to purchase 2023
Warner’s Victoria Rhubarb Gin
Greatest rhubarb gin
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 40%
This Northamptonshire-based distillery is owned by husband-and-wife crew Tom Warner and Tina Keogh-Warner, who’ve mixed seasonal English fruit with their already vastly standard Harrington Dry Gin. Rhubarb is the flavour of the second, and this fantastic instance – which traces its origins to the unique crop of rhubarb grown in Buckingham Palace’s kitchen backyard through the reign of Queen Victoria – has an exquisite tangy, crisp freshness, backdropped by a scrumptious fruity notice. Drink it lengthened with a dry tonic over ice and also you’ve acquired your self an ideal summer season sipper, match for a king or queen.
Out there from:
Amazon (£30.09)
Waitrose Cellar (£38)
4 Pillars Bloody Shiraz gin
Greatest crimson wine gin
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 37%
What’s to not like right here? A premium Australian gin from business favourites 4 Pillars, mixed with the dry spiciness of Shiraz grapes. The grapes are left to infuse within the gin for eight weeks earlier than the juice is pressed and blended with but extra gin, taking over an exquisite darkish purple hue within the course of. It makes for a killer bramble cocktail, or add a hearty measure to a glass of prosecco.
Out there from:
The Whisky Alternate (£42.95)
Amazon (£38.95)
Malfy Gin Con Limone
Greatest lemon gin
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Produced in Turin, this flavoursome Italian beast brings collectively some traditional botanicals (together with Italian juniper, angelica and coriander) after which provides in an infusion of very zesty lemons, that are sourced from Sicily and the Amalfi Coast. An simple burst of citrus dominates the flavour, however in a marvellously refreshing approach. Works greatest with tonic, loads of ice and, should you’re nonetheless craving extra citrus, a twist of oily Amalfi lemon zest.
Extra like this
Out there from:
Amazon (£26.50)
Waitrose (£26.50)
Spirits Kiosk (£28.95)
Edinburgh Gin plum and vanilla liqueur
Greatest plum gin
Dimension: 20cl
ABV: 20%
Technically a liqueur due to its 20% ABV, it is a splendidly fruity homage to misplaced summer season days within the backyard, sipping on a tall glass of one thing. The tangy, candy plum notes mix with an fragrant Madagascan vanilla flavour, alongside orange peel, lemongrass, mulberry, lavender and pine buds. It’s an ideal ingredient in a spritz, or good with prosecco.
Out there from:
Amazon (£16.50)
Grasp of Malt (£14.94)
Boutique-y Gin Firm spit-roasted pineapple gin
Greatest pineapple gin
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Pineapple works sensationally nicely with gin. This selection makes use of complete pineapples, that are spit-roasted with demerara sugar to present them a caramelised coating. The ensuing flavours are then extracted and mixed with a daring, juniper-forward gin. It’s candy, pineappley and distinct, but it surely’s additionally surprisingly moreish and virtually liqueur-like. Combine with glowing water and ice for an extended spritzer-style drink.
Out there from:
Grasp of Malt (£33.95)
Amazon (£32.52)
Not on the Excessive Road (£34.95)
Elephant sloe gin
Greatest sloe gin
Dimension: 50cl
ABV: 35%
Elephant is a fantastic instance of this traditional gin flavour. Plump sloes are macerated in an award-winning London dry gin (made in Germany) for a number of months, earlier than being sweetened and bottled. The result’s a really fruity, tart, wealthy spirit, which isn’t cloyingly candy like another examples in the marketplace. Do this over ice with a Sicilian lemon tonic and you might discover you have got a brand new summer season traditional in your arms.
Out there from:
Edinburgh rhubarb and ginger gin
Greatest improve for gin liqueur followers
Dimension: 50cl
ABV: 20%
Star score: 4/5
In case you just like the sweetness of a gin liqueur, that is the right solution to dip your toe into the next proportion gin. Having initially launched as a gin liqueur, the success of Edinburgh Gin’s rhubarb and ginger flavour impressed the model to launch this as a full power gin. The addition of stem ginger provides heat and delicate spice that leads the palate, adopted by candy and tart rhubarb. Greatest served with tonic to let the rhubarb shine.
Out there from:
Didsbury strawberry and Sicilian lemon gin
Greatest strawberry gin
Dimension: 50cl
ABV: 40%
Star score: 5/5
We had been intrigued by this mixture of flavours. Strawberry gin has the potential to be sickly candy, so the pairing right here with tart Sicilian lemon (plus Didsbury’s 11 botanicals) is impressed – loads of jammy sweetness from British strawberries, tempered by zesty lemons. You possibly can dial up the sweetness by pairing with lemonade – an ideal summer season drink that’s certain to be a crowdpleaser, and different to Pimm’s within the sunshine.
Out there from:
Not on the Excessive Road (£24.95)
Sipsmith zesty orange gin
Greatest orange gin
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 40%
Star score: 4/5
Primarily based on a traditional London dry gin, this bottle lives as much as its ‘zesty’ title. Each contemporary and dried orange peel alongside aromatic bergamot zest makes for a gin that bursts with citrus flavour. It develops into tangy marmalade notes and delicate spice to forestall it from being too candy. This orange gin could be nice in cocktails – we’ve acquired loads of citrus cocktail recipes for inspiration – and Sipsmith suggests including a splash to scorching chocolate, too. We additionally tried the Sipsmith lemon drizzle gin, which was pleasingly tart and once more delivered a punch of citrus flavour.
Out there from:
Whitley Neill raspberry gin
Greatest raspberry gin
Star score: 4/5
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 43%
Whitley Neill has an enormous vary of flavoured gins, together with lime, rhubarb, violet and even quince, however the raspberry gin is our high decide. Whitley Neill gins are made of their Metropolis of London distillery and the raspberry gin has gained the silver award on the Worldwide Wine & Spirits Competitors in 2020 and 2021. Made with Scottish raspberries and balanced with punchy juniper, liquorice and coriander, it is a versatile and vibrant flavoured gin.
Out there from:
Bathtub damson and bay gin
Greatest flavoured gin for autumn
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 43.3%
The most recent flavour from the ever-expanding Bathtub, this complicated damson and bay gin is simply the factor to sip all through autumn and winter. One that’s more likely to attraction to sloe gin followers, this makes an ideal seasonal different – you may even add a splash to mulled wine too. The aroma of jammy stewed damsons is evident from the preliminary nostril, and the palate has deep, wealthy crimson fruit flavour. There is a nice sudden almond notice because the flavour develops, with the natural bay mixing with traditional Bathtub botanicals to offer a natural, virtually spiced edge.
Out there from:
Grasp of Malt (£34.95)
Gordon’s Morello cherry gin
Greatest cherry gin
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 37.5%
Gordon’s is an immediately acquainted identify on this planet of gin, with its trademark inexperienced bottles seen at many pubs and bars. They’ve just lately been increasing into flavoured gins – the refreshing Mediterranean Orange selection launched again in 2020 is an instance of a citrus gin carried out merely and nicely. The Morello Cherry is considered one of their newest launches, mixing the traditional London dry gin with juicy Morello cherries that lend candy but tart depth to the gin together with their deep red-pink color. Strive utilizing in a bramble cocktail for an fascinating complement to the blackberry liqueur.
Out there from:
Sainsbury’s (£18.50)
Gordon’s tropical ardour fruit gin
Greatest ardour fruit gin
Dimension: 70cl
ABV: 37.5%
One other easy-to-find launch from Gordon’s. Good for summer season days, this tropical twist on Gordon’s traditional London Dry is sunshine in a glass. The eagerness fruit aroma is delicate to select on the nostril, however comes by means of pleasantly in ingesting. It’s well-balanced with out being too candy, with clear juniper notes current. Serve in a refreshing tall spritz or use so as to add an additional increase of tropical tartness to a ardour fruit martini.
Out there from:
Amazon (£18.50)
Sainsbury’s (£18.50)
Bathtub Gin grapefruit & rosemary
Greatest rosemary gin
70cl
ABV: 43.3%
Grapefruit & rosemary marks Bathtub Gin’s first flavoured gin selection. It is distinctive in that the flavour was chosen by shoppers, with greater than 2,500 votes deciding this new launch.
On the nostril, its traditional juniper ahead together with the fragrant rosemary including virtually savoury notes. Contemporary grapefruit is evident on the palate even because the rosemary deepens, however the flavour of Bathtub gin itself continues to be clear. It’s an ideal possibility for these with out a candy tooth: natural rosemary and tart grapefruit don’t add the sugary sweetness that may be current in gins which might be flavoured with berries or candy tropical fruit. This makes it greatest in a easy gin and tonic – add a slice of grapefruit to garnish.
Out there from:
Amazon (£34.95)
Grasp of Malt (£34.95)
What’s gin made out of?
Gin is made by distilling a impartial grain alcohol (similar to vodka) with juniper berries and different botanicals. To be classed as gin, it should include juniper berries – however the different chosen botanicals can differ and that is what makes every gin distinct. In a flavoured gin, fruit (whether or not contemporary, dried or zest) or aromatics are additionally added. These, together with the botanicals, are infused into the uncooked spirit to launch their flavours and doubtlessly add color, too.
What’s pink gin?
The time period pink gin initially referred to a cocktail of Plymouth gin and Angostura bitters, created by the British Navy. At present, pink gin is regular gin that has been flavoured with fruits or aromatics (similar to rose petals) to lend it a pink hue and often additional sweetness, with out including sugar or decreasing the alcohol proportion. Pink gins can differ from delicate, pale rose-tinted tipples to daring and juicy berry gins.
The way to drink gin
There’s no proper or mistaken solution to drink gin – there’s loads of choices relying in your private desire.
- Neat: top quality spirits might be drunk neat, aka on their very own with out mixers. This lets you style the flavours and aromas of the gin itself with out being distracted by aromatics from tonic water or sugary lemonade. Add ice to have it ‘on the rocks’.
- Gin and tonic: maybe essentially the most acquainted solution to drink gin. Our assortment of gin and tonic recipes has loads of concepts for matching completely different garnishes to gins, and likewise consists of gin-infused bakes.
- Cocktails: from an extended fizzy spritz to a traditional negroni or martini, gin is the premise for plenty of standard cocktails. We’ve acquired over 50 gin cocktail recipes to get you began – experiment with completely different flavoured gins so as to add additional flavour.
What are one of the best gin glasses?
When you’ve acquired the right bottle, discover the greatest gin glasses to sip your G&T from, whether or not that’s a roomy goblet or stylish tumbler.
John Lewis Connoisseur gin glasses
A traditional solution to serve gin in type. These glasses comply with the standard ‘copa’ type, a glass form advisable for a gin and tonic. The lengthy stem is strengthened to carry the heavy bowl above, and the large bowl lets the flavours and botanicals of your chosen gin and tonic pairing breathe.
Out there from:
John Lewis & Companions (£25/set of two)
Oliver Bonas Rina inexperienced gin glasses
This quirky gin glass duo is nice for gifting to a gin lover. A contemporary tackle a standard gin bowl, these have a brief vibrant stem and textured design to the glassware.
Out there from:
Oliver Bonas (£19.50/set of two)
Lakeland crystal-look acrylic tumblers
In case you’re planning a picnic or need drinks within the backyard, these acrylic tumblers are a light-weight, shatterproof different to glass. They seem like costly crystal glassware with a roomy 350ml capability – far more stylish than plastic cups or gin from a tin.
Out there from:
Lakeland (£19.96)
Root 7 geo tumblers
For brief gin cocktails or sipping gin neat, a brief tumbler is simply what you want. This contemporary, geometric type has trendy metallic edging and is out there in plain, gold or black designs. They’d stand out on a bar cart and likewise make an ideal present for a gin lover.
Out there from:
Amazon (£21.99)
Gin recipes and purchaser’s recommendation
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If in case you have any questions or ideas for future opinions, or spot something that has modified in value or availability, please get in contact at goodfoodwebsite@speedy.co.uk.
Have we missed your favorite flavoured gin off our checklist? We might love your ideas…
