Bath Botanics Blackberry Fruit Gin is a 25% ABV seasonal fruit gin from Bath, bottled in a 50 cl format. The distillery steeps hand-picked blackberry fruit in its own No.1 Gin, drawing on locally grown biodynamic produce and wild-foraged fruit. That seasonal approach matters to the style: the fruit, colour and occasional natural pulp can vary slightly from one harvest to another, while the bottle remains rooted in the same botanical gin base.

No.1 Gin is distilled in a copper pot still with juniper, Somerset lime flowers, coriander, angelica, liquorice, cardamom, star anise, cassia and lemon peel. Blackberry brings a darker fruit note to those aromatic ingredients, while lemon peel and lime flower keep the profile from becoming heavy. The distillery adds a modest amount of natural cane sugar to develop the flavour and does not use artificial colouring or flavouring. The result keeps the fruit present without turning the gin into a simple berry syrup.

At the nose, blackberry gives a deep, brambly fruit character with a brighter lift from citrus peel. The palate is rounded at first, then becomes more focused as the tang of the berries meets juniper and coriander. Angelica and liquorice give the base a little more depth, while cardamom, star anise and cassia add gentle spice at the edges. The finish is fruity, fresh and lightly dry, with lemon bringing definition to the darker berry notes.

Bath Botanics recommends lemon or Indian tonic with its blackberry fruit gin. In a large balloon glass, combine 5 cl of gin with 15 cl of Indian tonic over clear ice, then add two blackberries and a thin lemon slice. The tonic's quinine and the lemon keep the berry flavour lively, leaving room for the botanical detail of the No.1 Gin beneath the fruit.