EXPLORING GIN:
Ideas, flavours and modern serves
Monday January 12, 2025
Gin has come a long way from being a simple G&T. These days, it’s one of the most creative spirits around – packed with unique botanicals, bold flavour profiles, and endless ways to enjoy it.
Whether you’re a classic juniper lover or into experimenting with new styles, here are some inspiring gin ideas and concepts to elevate your next pour.
1. Botanical-Driven Gins
Modern gin is all about the botanicals. Distillers are using native ingredients, citrus peels, herbs, florals, and spices to create gins that tell a story of place. Think lemon myrtle, rosemary, lavender, or even seaweed. These gins shine with simple serves that let the botanicals do the talking.
2. Seasonal Gin Serves
Gin is incredibly versatile across seasons. Light, citrus-forward gins work beautifully in summer, while richer, spiced styles suit cooler months.
Summer:Gin, soda, fresh citrus, cucumber, or berries
Autumn: Gin with apple, pear, thyme, or cinnamon
Winter: Barrel-aged gin with orange peel or star anise
Spring: Floral gins with elderflower, lemon, or mint .
Flavoured gins are no longer just sweet novelties. Today’s versions are balanced, refined, and designed for proper cocktails. Blood orange, rhubarb, pink grapefruit, and berry-infused gins are perfect for easy, crowd-pleasing drinks. Concept: Create a “gin flight” featuring classic, citrus, and berry styles for tasting at home. While the gin and tonic will always be a favourite, there’s a whole world of simple gin cocktails worth exploring. Gin Spritz: Gin, prosecco, soda, citrus These classics are easy to make and highlight gin’s versatility. Gin can be broadly categorised into several core types, each with a distinct flavour profile that pairs well with specific mixers and garnishes. The main types include London Dry Gin, Plymouth Gin, Old Tom Gin, and Navy Strength Gin. Pairs with: Classic Indian tonic water, a simple twist of lemon or lime peel, or used in spirit-forward cocktails like the Martini or Negroni. Example Gin: Tanqueray, Beefeater, Gordon's. Pairs with: Spirit-forward cocktails like the Negroni where its robust flavour can shine through, or a strongly flavoured G&T with a hearty garnish like pink grapefruit or rosemary. Example Gin: Isle of Harris, Aus Distilling Co. Pairs with: Classic cocktails like the Tom Collins or Ramos Gin Fizz, where the sweetness balances other ingredients. You might garnish with apple slices or a simple lemon peel. Pairs with: A simple G&T with a lime garnish, a classic dry Martini, or cocktails that benefit from its softer character. From botanical-driven distilleries to simple at-home serves, gin continues to evolve while still honouring its classic roots. It’s a spirit that encourages creativity, experimentation and personal taste — whether that means a perfectly balanced G&T or a bold new cocktail. No matter how you enjoy it, gin offers endless possibilities and a reason to keep exploring what’s in your glass.
3. Flavoured & Contemporary Gins
4. Gin Cocktails Beyond the G&T
Tom Collins: Gin, lemon juice, sugar, soda
Negroni: Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth
Bramble: Gin, lemon, sugar, blackberry liqueur5. Food Pairing With Gin
London Dry Gin
Navy Strength Gin
Old Tom Gin
Plymouth Gin
Final Pour
