Pink grapefruit and pomelo give River Test Sunset Citrus Gin its direction. This Hampshire gin is bottled at 42%. Rosehip and juniper support the citrus without taking attention away from the fruit. Its name points to a bright, sunset-coloured style, while the flavour remains grounded in familiar gin botanicals.

Citrus · Fruity

Pink grapefruit gives the profile its bittersweet lift; pomelo broadens the citrus with a softer, less sharp impression. Rosehip contributes a gentle fruit note, and juniper keeps the aromatic direction dry enough to remain recognisably gin. Rather than relying on a long list of unrelated flavours, the recipe lets a few citrus elements define the character and gives them room to show clearly.

At 42%, the gin has sufficient intensity for a tall drink with ice. The citrus should lead on the nose and continue through the palate, while the juniper and rosehip add depth behind it. A light tonic dilution keeps the grapefruit lively and the finish refreshing. The pink colour is part of its visual identity, but the glass does not need additional syrup or fruit juice to make the flavour noticeable.

Build the drink with 5 cl gin and 12 cl Indian tonic in a balloon glass filled with clear ice. Add a thin strip of pink grapefruit peel and a small piece of pomelo to the drink. The peel releases aromatic oils without adding excess sweetness; the tonic's restrained bitterness suits the grapefruit. A simple garnish keeps the citrus precise and the drink crisp.

Its citrus-led character does not depend on added fruit juice. A strip of fresh peel provides aroma, while the tonic supplies enough bitterness and length for an uncomplicated drink. As the ice melts, the pomelo becomes softer and the grapefruit remains vivid, so the glass changes gradually rather than becoming sweet or heavy.