FIVE OF THE BEST: GINS FOR SUMMER
Adnams Jardín 1 Mexicano Gin £31.99/70cl Adnams
This limited-edition 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, with a subtle chilli spice kick to the finish, it makes a really refreshing G&T. Garnish with lime. Alcohol 40%
Bullards Coastal Gin
2
£37.74-£40/70cl Country Attire, Master of Malt, Spirits Kiosk, The Drink Shop, Virgin Wines
Taking inspiration from 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% Cotton Gin Strawberry
3 & Pink Peppercorn £37.95/70cl otterbeckdistillery.co.uk
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 strawberriesand-cream, summer afternoon G&T. Alc 42% Mermaid Gin 4
£35-£39/70cl 23 Wine & Whiskey, 31Dover, Distillers Direct, Gerry’s, HomeDrinks, Majestic, Master of Malt, Tesco, The Drink Shop, The Little Whisky Shop, The Whisky Exchange
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% 5 Silent Pool Distillers English Rose Gin £26/50cl silentpooldistillers.com
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% D