The sun is shining and we’re in the mood for something sweet. Luckily for us, flavoured gins and gin liqueurs are just the thing!
It’s been a long ol’ winter here in the UK. It’s been dark, dingy, and when the Beast from the East makes not one, not two, but three appearances, it does seriously make you consider emigrating. But fret not! This last weekend has been warm, sunny and thoroughly suitable for summer barbeque sippers (OK, so the mercury hovered around the 14C mark, but we’re optimists here at MoM Towers).
So we got to thinking… what drink best embodies this time of year? The sweetness of longer evenings, the refreshment to go with the [sort-of] heat, and the tastiness that should prevail in all drinks… we came up with flavoured gins and gin liqueurs!
You may have noticed that gin liqueurs are having something of a moment. There is hype. And while they are sweet (inherent in the name ‘liqueur’), they can also be super delicious, mixed with tonic for a longer, refreshing serve, or as cocktail ingredients to easily impart that hit of flavour. For heaven’s sake, you could even sip them neat! All the possibilities. With this in mind, here are our current top picks for spring*…
Poetic License Baked Apple & Salted Caramel Gin LiqueurPoetic License Baked Apple & Salted Caramel Gin Liqueur
Mmmmm, salted caramel. A delicious sweet treat with a salty zing to stop things getting too saccharine. We enjoy. Now add in baked apple and the deliciousness of juniper and you have an absolute cracker of a gin liqueur. Drizzle over ice cream to add some pizzazz to your dessert, or pop a splash into Prosecco for next-level fizz.
Zymurgorium Turkish Delight Gin LiqueurZymurgorium Turkish Delight Gin Liqueur
We appreciate that Turkish delight is an opinion-splitter, and if you’re not on board, hear us out. This one is floral and aromatic rather than sickly sweet, and the juniper adds a pleasingly herbal element. We hear it’s pretty good with ginger ale, and with flower-led tonics too…
The Lakes Rhubarb & Rosehip Gin LiqueurThe Lakes Rhubarb & Rosehip Gin Liqueur
The latest in lusciousness from The Lakes Distillery, this rhubarb and rosehip pairing is a treat with a more neutral tonic or simply over ice. Plus, we reckon it’s pretty romantic and is likely to more than impress a beloved the bottle should appear alongside some fizz…
Foxdenton Damson Gin LiqueurFoxdenton Damson Gin Liqueur
A grown-up gin liqueur from the folks at Foxdenton, this unctuous, jammy tipple works terrifically in a ‘Damson in Distress’ – just shake 50ml of the gin with 15ml Amaretto and 7.5ml with ice, strain into a Martini glass and garnish with a slice of lemon. Tasty.
Tiptree Little Scarlett Strawberry Gin LiqueurTiptree Little Scarlett Strawberry Gin Liqueur
This treat of a drop is actually from Wilkin & Sons of jam and marmalade fame, and the company’s expertise with fruit shines through here. Yes, it’s sugary. But pour over ice and you’ll be transported to dreamy summer picnic scenes. Sunshine perfection.
Boë Violet GinBoë Violet Gin
Well, well, well. This warm weather sipper has garnered rave reviews across the interwebs, and no run-down of springtime scrumptiousness would be complete without it. Boë Violet Gin is super violetty and lively, yet remains balanced and incredibly sippable – try it in an Aviation. And look at that colour…
Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle GinSipsmith Lemon Drizzle Gin
Lemon drizzle cake obsessives, listen up. This is the gin for you. Sipsmith’s here gin is almost unbelievably zesty, incredibly aromatic and wonderfully tart – and divine with a simple tonic. For the more ambitious/creative, shake up 40ml with 12ml Cointreau, a little scoop of lemon sorbet and an egg white. Add ice and shake again, then double strain. Creamy/dreamy…
Strawberry & Balsamico GinStrawberry & Balsamico Gin
One of That Boutique-y Gin Company’s more unusual concoctions, this gin sees fresh strawberries paired with actual Aceto di Balsamico tradizionale di Modena DOP, a vinegar aged for up to 25 years in an array of casks, including juniper. It’s intensely fruity, underwritten by a wonderful, aromatic earthiness, and makes an incredible G&T.
Warner Edwards Victoria’s Rhubarb GinWarner Edwards Victoria’s Rhubarb Gin
Ahhh rhubarb. That taste of a quintessential English summer – there’s nothing quite like it. Well… there is, in the form of Warner Edwards’ bottling of Victoria’s Rhubarb Gin. And you lot agree – it’s ‘very drinkable with a touch of sweetness’ and a ‘wonderful, light, delightful gin’ according to you, our accomplished tasters and wonderful customers. Who are we to argue?
Aber Falls Orange Marmalade GinAber Falls Orange Marmalade Gin
It’s all about the orange with Aber Falls’ delectable gin, a flavoured fellow that’s simply bursting with pithy orange and earthy juniper. Instead of toast, how about trying it in a Gin O’ Clock? Take 37.5ml of the gin, 25ml lemon juice, 25ml orange juice, 10ml sugar syrup and 60ml soda water, build in a Highball glass with cubed ice, and stir. We promise it’s worth it.
There we go. Ten tip-top fruity, flavourful and suitably sweet serves to welcome in the warmer weather. You’re welcome!
*Indulge us if you reside in sunnier climes. We’re pretty excited right now.
Brian