Wild hibiscus, infused only once the gin has been distilled, gives Stillhouse Wild its faint pink hue. The gin comes from Stillhouse Atlantic, a small artisanal distillery founded early in 2017 in Swakopmund, on Namibia's Atlantic coast, where it works from Tobias Hainyeko Street next to the historic Hohenzollern Haus. Swakopmund, a seaside town between the dunes of the Namib Desert and the cold Atlantic, gives the distillery its coastal setting. It is sold in 50 cl bottles at 43% ABV, and its label shows a flamingo among desert plants under the words Handcrafted Namibian Gin.

Citrus · Spicy · Floral

The distillery calls it a pink gin unlike most others, because the colour does not come with sweetness. The style is dry, soft and aromatic. Light juniper leads, followed by hints of spicy pink pepper and sweet orange zest, then earthy notes of wild rosemary and cascara, the dried skin of the coffee cherry. Coriander completes the recipe and adds a citrus spice of its own, linking the orange zest to the juniper.

Cascara is the most unusual ingredient here. Usually brewed as a tea in coffee-growing countries, it brings a gentle, fruity earthiness that sits between dried fruit and black tea, and it pairs well with the tart, floral side of hibiscus. The result is softer than a classic London Dry, with a delicate tea-like aroma and a rounded finish that lingers gently.

Serve it over plenty of ice with a chilled Indian tonic poured in measured amounts, so the quieter scents remain present. An orange twist and a small sprig of rosemary repeat two of the botanicals and keep the drink fresh. Stillhouse Atlantic also makes a classic Stillhouse Gin, which shows how much the hibiscus and cascara change the house style.