Pennington's Lakeland Moon Elderflower Gin

Under a full moon, wild juniper and six other botanicals are gathered on the Lakeland Fells for Lakeland Moon Gin, first distilled by Pennington's in Kendal in 2016. That citrus-forward gin, distilled with grapefruit, Spanish orange and lemon peel and blended with water filtered through limestone beds from the company's own Lake District National Park spring, is the heart of this elderflower version. Kendal, on the edge of the Lake District National Park, is home to the whole Pennington's range.

Citrus · Floral · Fruity

To make it, Pennington's infuses Lakeland Moon Gin with the delicate fragrance of elderflower, creating a naturally light, refreshing gin from the Lakes at 37.5% ABV. It comes in 70 cl bottles and as a 5 cl miniature. The lower strength suits the style: elderflower is a gentle, almost honeyed flower that can be lost behind a high proof, while here it stays clearly in front. In early summer, elderflower blooms along hedgerows across the region.

The tasting notes describe fresh elderflower and juniper on the nose, a lightly floral and delicately sweet palate, and a smooth, bright, botanical finish. The citrus peels of the base gin give that sweetness a fresh edge, and wild juniper keeps the drink recognisably gin. In 2026 the gin won Gold at the Global Spirits Masters, adding to the medals of the original Lakeland Moon, including Gold from the 2019 World Gin Awards.

Pennington's suggests two ways to drink it: in a Lakes Hugo Spritz, a local take on the Alpine spritz of elderflower, sparkling wine and mint, or simply with a favourite mixer. For a long drink, Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic Water doubles the floral note, and a twist of lemonTwistA strip of peel twisted over the glass to release its oils, then dropped into the drink.Glossary recalls the citrus of the base gin. Keep the bottle out of direct sunlight, as the distillery advises.