Arcadia - Essenza di Gin is a 45% Italian gin concentrate from Distilleria Mezzanotte in Pesaro. It comes in a dark recycled-glass 100 ml bottle fitted with a dosing cap, because it is designed for precise, low-alcohol cocktails rather than a conventional full-strength gin and tonic. The project grew from the work of master distiller Alex Bartolucci and brings the aromatic core of gin into a format intended for bars and home mixing.

Its recipe is made by artisanal maceration of selected botanicals in alcohol, without a pass through a traditional still. Juniper, angelica, coriander, peppermint, black tea and liquorice form the complete published botanical set. Juniper and angelica provide the dry foundation; coriander and peppermint bring freshness; black tea and liquorice add depth and a more persistent finish. The result is concentrated, herbal and gently spiced, with each element designed to remain recognisable in a highly diluted drink.

The aroma is fresh and leafy, led by juniper and mint with a darker tea note underneath. On the palate, coriander gives a light citrus-spice lift before liquorice and black tea broaden the middle. Arcadia is not intended to be poured like a 5 cl gin serve. Its 45% strength is carried in a small dose, allowing its botanical detail to season a long drink while keeping the finished cocktail at a very low alcoholic strength.

For the intended low-alcohol gin and tonic, add 3 to 5 ml of Arcadia to 200 ml of tonic water over ice. Stir gently and keep the garnish simple, such as a small lemon peel. This proportion preserves the purpose of the product: a fresh, aromatic tonic with the vocabulary of gin, but without the alcohol level of a standard G&T. It also works as a precise botanical accent in soda-based drinks and original cocktails.