13 Unique Gin Flavors You Should Be Drinking
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One of the more versatile spirits, gin is easily mixed into cocktails. A London dry gin delivers perfect classics — like the gin and tonic or a martini – while an Old Tim gin, which is a sweeter version, has typically been the norm for switching it up. However, the increasingly popular spirit is now available in different variations. How it's made, though, remains the same. Produced from a neutral grain spirit, gin is then combined with juniper berries, giving it a distinct taste of pine. No matter what name it takes, without juniper berries, it is not gin.
While juniper berries are essential to the production of gin, the spirit can also contain other botanicals or flavors like mint, cinnamon, lemon or lime, berries, and more. This is where flavored gin comes in. You can also use the unique traits of a flavored gin to create something new with your favorite cocktails, or you can enjoy them straight with a complementing garnish. From an array that is fruity, spicy, or floral, here are some flavored gins you should try in your next cocktail.
1. Malfy Gin Rosa
Considered one of the best pink gins, Malfy Gin Rosa is the one to try if you want to stay close to a London dry. Originally, "pink" gin was just any London dry gin that had pink coloring added to it, typically with Angostura bitters. Nowadays, the pink color is given to the liquor through fruits like strawberry or rhubarb, which also gives it a sweeter flavor. Malfy Gin Rosa has hints of lemon, orange, and vanilla, but tastes primarily of fresh grapefruit. A fusion of rhubarb, grapefruit, and citrus flavors with a long juniper finish, Malfy's version of pink gin is crisp and bright.
Slightly sweet and of perfect color, Malfy Gin Rosa would work well in a sangria. Although usually wine-based, made with a combination of sparkling wine, juice, and fruits, sangria can also be made with liquor. Malfy's gin works well because its fresh flavors from pink fruits pair well with the fresh fruits in sangria, making it a refreshing and delicious drink.
2. Sipsmith Strawberry Smash Gin
As its name indicates, Sipsmith's Strawberry Smash Gin is a vapor-infused gin that has dominant notes of strawberry, citrus, and mint in addition to the juniper. It was rated the best overall flavored gin to drink in 2023 by Liquor.com because of its fruity flavors and smooth finish. Despite its fruity notes, however, it is not considered a sweet gin.
It has a light flavor that works well when paired with citrus additions, such as Campari and orange juice. Add a splash of lemon for even more depth in flavor. You could also try this in a cocktail more fitting with its name: Strawberry Gin Smash. Its name aside, this spirit feels like it was made for this drink. Those primary flavors of strawberry and mint are a perfect match for this beverage, especially when you garnish it with a sugared rim or mint leaves.
3. Tarquin's British Blackberry
Playing on the flavors that harmonize with a bramble, Tarquin's British Blackberry gin is the brand's modern take on a fruit-lead dry gin. With a focus on Britain's blackberry, this complex recipe is comprised of 14 botanicals picked by hand: bitter almonds; orange, lemon, and grapefruit peels; cinnamon; wildflower honey; coriander seed; licorice, angelica, and orris roots; green cardamom; violets; blackberries; and of course, juniper. On the nose, this infused gin has notes of juniper in addition to wild red berries, blackberry crumble, and sweet spice. With no added sugar, the finish is dry with notes of lemon sherbet, blackberry sorbet, and honey.
Unique, bold, and full of sweetness from the berries and honey, Tarquin's British Blackberry gin would indeed be ideal for a bramble cocktail. In this beverage, there is a blend of gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup all over ice. Finish the drink by drizzling crème de mûre along the inside of the glass to achieve the "bleeding" look. If you're feeling really adventurous, pair this berry beverage with a Baconator from Wendy's –- the contrasting flavors surprisingly complement one another.
4. Silent Pool Rare Citrus Gin
With a blend of rare citrus fruits, Silent Pool Rare Citrus Gin is zesty and fresh. Due to its unique combination of flavors, it's the perfect way to add some brightness to your favorite cocktail. It is made with Buddha's Hand, a fingered citron, with notes of Natsu Dai Dai, a Japanese summer orange that is both bitter and sweet, as well as the sweet taste of Hirado Buntan, a pummelo fruit. All of these flavors go beyond the typical citrusy flavors of orange or lemon, creating a delicious gin.
Decidedly one of the tastiest flavored varieties to drink in 2023, Silent Pool's gin has notes of pomelo and yuzu, which would pair well in a citrus-forward Negroni cocktail. While this is a great choice, we also think this would be appetizing in a classic gin and tonic. Likewise, it would make a tasty classic French 75 cocktail. The beverage is simple to make, requiring only lemon juice, sugar, and champagne along with the gin. We think the combination of bitter and sweet citrus fruits of the gin with the bubbly champagne and sugar sounds like an ideal summer cocktail.
5. Bombay Sapphire Bombay Bramble Gin
Another gin perfect for a bramble, Bombay Sapphire's Bombay Bramble gin is made with a combination of fresh blackberries and raspberries. Vibrant and rich, this spirit is a spin on the classic Bombay Sapphire. In addition to the berry flavors, Bombay Sapphire Bramble also has notes of citrus, cranberry, and the usual juniper with the brand's London dry gin as the base. Its very berry aroma is heavy with currant and spice.
While a bramble cocktail is an obvious choice here, the combo of berries is worth trying in a gin and tonic as well. Add extra fruits, such as mango or peach, or mix it up even more by putting in a sprig of rosemary; the boldness of the herb pairs well with the rich berries. These additional flavors work perfectly in blackberry cocktails, so you can even combine them with your favorite red wine and enjoy a sangria. This blackberry-forward bramble gin is versatile enough to go well with several drinks, so it's a great chance to be creative.
6. Beefeater Peach & Raspberry Gin
Sticking with its classic London dry gin recipe, Beefeater's Peach & Raspberry Gin is a fruity spirit that's calling for summer. Largely inspired by Beefeater's founder, James Burroughs, this gin combines flavors he used in recipes in the 1800s. It is made with natural peach and raspberry flavoring and features seven botanicals — juniper, lemon peel, almond, coriander seed, orris root, licorice root, and angelica root. Both smooth and sweet, this gin would go well with a dry sparkling wine if you aren't feeling like sipping it solo. While it seems super sweet right away, the tartness of the raspberry cuts through, creating a delicious balance of fresh and fruity flavors.
Although it's perfect for a bellini or G&T, Beefeater suggests trying its gin in a Peach Hot Toddy. Just add it into a mix of honey, hot water, and peach and barley cardial, and finish with a slice of ginger for the garnish. It might not sound great for a warm, summer day, but a rainy one? Absolute bliss.
7. Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin
Most flavored gins are infused with fruit, but Four Pillars goes beyond the norm with its Olive Leaf Gin. It took the company five years to perfect the recipe, which consists of three cold-pressed extra virgin olive oils and olive leaf tea. Instead of being sweet, the gin is savory with botanicals like rosemary, bay leaf, macadamia nuts, and lemon myrtle.
There's no doubt about it, this gin is begging to be in a martini. Make it dirty with extra olive brine in the cocktail. If you like it less dirty, Four Pillars suggests garnishing your martini with a few drops of olive oil to really top off that rich and herbaceous flavor. Its savory flavor would make it a stout drink on its own, but it would go well with a garnish of lemon to add a citric element, or rosemary to augment the botanicals of the spirit.
8. Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale
From Tanqueray comes a sweet and earthy flavored gin that combines four different botanicals (juniper, coriander, angelica root, and licorice) with blackcurrant, vanilla, and hints of black orchid. The brand's Blackcurrant Royale gin is inspired by Charles Tanqueray's travels in France, and it combines the classic Tanqueray London dry botanicals with French flavors. Because of the black orchid and spicy botanicals, it is not just fruity but also floral and herby. The peppery taste of coriander with sweet berries and rich vanilla produces a creaminess in the gin.
Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale would be delicious in a bramble or a berry-filled gin and tonic, but it also makes a perfect lemonade. Just mix the gin with lemonade, toss in some berries, and garnish with a lemon wedge. If you want a little fizz, add champagne to the beverage. This one is best served in the sun, throwing shade at everyone with regular lemonade.
9. Whitley Neill Watermelon and Kiwi Gin
One of the best gins you can buy on Amazon, Whitley Neill Watermelon and Kiwi Gin has over 11,000 ratings with a five-star score. Super fruity and tropical, this flavored gin is not subtle. Its combo of fresh pressed watermelon, green mango, and kiwi makes it ideal for summer sippin'. It would go well over ice, or with a splash of lemonade. There are a lot of options here, but we suggest going with watermelon or kiwi flavors and not adding many more fruits. It's probably not for a sangria, but it would make a great party punch.
Our favorite idea is to spike an actual watermelon with the gin and then you can also snack on the spiked melon during a summer brunch or day at the beach. Because of a watermelon's spongey texture, it easily soaks up the spirit. To make spiked watermelon, carefully cut a hole in it, keep that chunk you removed, and tilt the watermelon so the hole is towards the side. Then dunk the bottle into the hole, "plugging" it up before turning the watermelon back to a vertical position. Let the alcohol soak into the watermelon for 12 hours. Afterward, just chill, cut, and serve. Now, this simple way to spike your fruit isn't foolproof, so if it fails, we recommend turning it into a watermelon slushy! Either way, this flavored gin will make for a delicious summer treat.
10. Masons of Yorkshire Pear & Pink Peppercorn
A winner of multiple gin awards, Masons Pear & Pink Peppercorn gin is a delicate and sweet gin that combines the light taste of conference pears with notes of pink peppercorn and rose. Despite its name, pink peppercorn is actually not a peppercorn — it's a berry with a peppery flavor. Unlike black peppercorns, pink peppercorns are more fruity and somewhat sweet. They're also very aromatic, smelling of pine and citrus, which complements the piney juniper found in gin. Because of its versatility, pink peppercorn can heighten many different ingredients. In the case of Masons' gin, it pairs perfectly with the pear.
This spirit has an aromatic and spicy lasting finish with hints of juniper and citrus, and it tastes of licorice, juniper, and pear. Its unique combination of flavors calls for it to be made into a simple gin and tonic. Follow the brand's lead for the garnish and use green apple or kiwi. It also tastes delicious with Fever-Tree Mediterranean tonic water.
11. Hendrick's Flora Adora Gin
Crafted by Hendrick's master distiller, Lesley Gracie, and inspired by her garden, Hendrick's Flora Adora gin is a flowery and herbaceous spirit that builds on the flavors of juniper and coriander. This limited release has a secret blend of botanicals but it's best described as a sweet and balanced bouquet of flavors. In an interview with Forbes, Gracie says the new flavor is a floral twist on their classic gin, "...inspired by how our nectar-loving flying friends seem to linger longer on certain flowers more than others." Hendrick's unique two-still distillation process makes it one of the best gins to buy.
Smelling of springtime in a garden, Flora Adora gin has aromas of honeysuckles and tuberose with undertones of vanilla. It also features elderflower, rose, and lemon balm. One of the more floral-tasting gins, it's best enjoyed in a simple cocktail so it isn't overpowering. We recommend garnishing it simply with lemon and sipping slowly, or trying the cocktail that is suggested on the bottle, the Wildgarden Cup, which blends simple syrup, lemon, and club soda finished with some mint, cucumber, and raspberries.
12. Opihr Arabian Edition Black Lemon
Spicy and bold, Opihr's Arabian Edition Black Lemon gin is an homage to Persian black lemons, or "loomi." Loomi are sun-dried limes, sometimes called black limes instead of black lemons. Often used in Persian cuisine, they are used to flavor stews, meat, fish, and vegetables. Blanched and dehydrated, black lemons in a ground form have been used to lightly spice cocktails. A beverage director in Chicago tested their use as a garnish in cocktails and landed on sprinkling the spice like you would pepper into his recipes (via Tales of the Cocktail). By infusing it into the gin, Opihr is taking this new experimentation with loomi to a new level.
Unlike other lemons, this earthy and citric fruit is tart and sweet, giving a zesty flavor to Opihr's spice-led gin. The overall flavor is further enhanced by the addition of Timut peppers, making a beautiful blend of citrus and spice in Opihr's Arabian Edition gin. Uniquely fragrant, this isn't a typical citrus-flavored spirit. Combine it with Makrut lime leaf liqueur, lime juice, and sugar syrup to create a spiced daiquiri.
13. Sipsmith Orange and Cacao Gin
Also from Sipsmith comes Orange and Cacao Gin, which plays on the popular duo of orange and chocolate. By using botanicals from cacao nibs and orange blossoms as well as fresh orange peels, Sipsmith's gin is a smooth and subtle blend of these rich flavors. Instead of being sickly sweet, notes of licorice and orange zest pair to create a citrusy sweet taste that isn't overwhelming. This gin's palate features dark chocolate, candied orange, and Madagascan vanilla with a finish that carries fresh pine and ginger spice. Despite its luscious and full-bodied flavor, it maintains the classic taste of juniper.
Both complex and traditional in its flavors, this spirit is worth trying. We think it would put a rich and dessert-like twist on the popular Negroni. Swap out the traditional unflavored gin with Sipsmith's Orange and Cacao gin and this effortless cocktail may become your new favorite. The orange and chocolate combo would also be delicious in a spiked hot chocolate.