Bartavelle Strawberries & Rhubarb is a French flavoured gin bottled at 40% ABV. Its character is built around a clear Provençal pairing: ripe strawberry for aroma and flesh, rhubarb for tartness and tension. The idea works because the fruit does not need to imitate a dessert; it can stay bright, gently sweet and fresh enough to remain recognisably gin-led.

The nose brings strawberry first, soft and immediate, then a sharper rhubarb line that prevents the profile from becoming jammy. Juniper gives a clean frame, while citrus notes help the palate stay lively. The texture is round, but the best reading is sweet-tart rather than sugary. Served cold, it has an aperitif character that can move from a simple gin and tonic to lighter summer cocktails.

For the associated gin and tonic, pour 5 cl of Bartavelle Strawberries & Rhubarb over clear ice, add 10 cl of Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water and finish with a lemon wheel. Lemon is the right restraint here: it brightens the rhubarb, lifts the strawberry and avoids adding another red-fruit layer. Keep the glass cold and the tonic measure moderate so the fruit stays precise.

Handled carelessly, this gin can become too sweet; with the right serve, acidity stays at the centre. Rhubarb is the balancing force: it gives the drink its aperitif quality and makes the strawberry feel fresh rather than pastry-like. That is why a tonic or soda with a dry profile is preferable to lemonade-style mixers.

It also gives the range a fruit-led gin that can stay fresh rather than sticky.