Zebra Gin

Zebra Gin is a 40% Belgian gin created through the collaboration of Carolo Spirit, the Sporting de Charleroi and the Grandes Distilleries de Charleroi. The bottle is closely tied to the city and to the club known as the Zebras: the project was developed over six months before its release, with the aim of bringing a clearly floral gin to a range previously better known for citrus-led spirits. It is distilled and bottled in the Charleroi area and sold in a 70 cl format.

Floral · Herbal

The recipe is deliberately concise. JuniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary gives the gin its dry, recognisable spine, while orris and lavender shape the aromatic direction. Orris adds a soft floral-earthy depth; lavender brings a fragrant, gently herbal lift. Rather than building intensity through a long list of spices, Zebra Gin relies on this contrast between a classic juniper base and a perfumed floral profile. That choice gives the gin a smooth, accessible character without taking it away from gin territory.

At the nose, lavender appears first with a clean floral perfume, followed by the cooler, root-like nuance of orris and the piney side of juniper.

The palate is rounded and aromatic, with the flowers carried by a dry structure instead of overt sweetness. Juniper becomes more apparent through the middle, keeping the floral notes precise. The finish is soft, fragrant and lightly herbal, with enough dryness to remain refreshing over ice.

The producer recommends enjoying Zebra Gin neat, over ice, or with premium Indian tonicIndian tonicThe classic tonic: sparkling water, bitter quinine and sugar. The name recalls colonial India, where quinine warded off malaria.Glossary. For a simple gin and tonic, use 5 cl of gin and 15 cl of Indian tonic in a balloon glassCopa glassA large stemmed balloon glass, popularised by the Spanish gin and tonic: it stays cold for longer and gathers the aromas above the drink.Glossary filled with clear iceClear iceIce without air bubbles, made by slow, directional freezing. Denser, it melts more slowly and dilutes less.Glossary. A small lavender sprig and a few juniper berries are sufficient. This restrained garnish reflects the actual recipe and lets the floral identity remain elegant rather than overly perfumed.