Manly Spirits Lilly Pilly Pink Gin

Lilly Pilly Pink GinPink ginToday, a gin flavoured and tinted pink (red fruit, rhubarb…). Originally, plain gin with a few dashes of Angostura bitters.Glossary comes from Manly Spirits on Sydney's Northern Beaches, at 40% ABV. The producer describes it as a lighter, fruity style with no sugar, artificial colours or artificial flavours. The recipe uses twelve botanicals, including lilly pilly, riberry, native limes, raspberry, blood orange, coriander, angelica, orris, juniper, rosella, sea fig and nasturtium. Raspberry infusionInfusionFruit or plants are steeped in the spirit to release their flavour. Done after distillation, infusion often adds colour too, and the gin can no longer be called London Dry.Glossary gives the gin its natural pink colour.

Citrus · Floral · Fruity

The tasting profile pairs soft red-berry notes from lilly pilly and raspberry with citrus from native limes and blood orange. Juniper gives the fruit a recognisable gin foundation, while the floral botanicals add another layer to the aroma. The finish is described as refreshing and fruity. With no sugar added, the berry character remains lighter and more focused than a sweet pink liqueur, leaving room for citrus and botanical structure to show through.

The producer suggests serving it with tonic, fresh raspberry, pink grapefruit and edible flowers. Manly Spirits also lists grapefruit, flowers and juniper berriesJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary as garnishes for its bar G&T. These pairings are coherent here: raspberry echoes the infusion and red-fruit notes, grapefruit brings a fresh bitter-citrus edge, and a single edible flower picks up the floral botanicals. The gin's 40% strength keeps the drink centred on fruit and botanicals rather than alcohol heat.

To serve, pour 4 cl over clear iceClear iceIce without air bubbles, made by slow, directional freezing. Denser, it melts more slowly and dilutes less.Glossary in a balloon glassCopa glassA large stemmed balloon glass, popularised by the Spanish gin and tonic: it stays cold for longer and gathers the aromas above the drink.Glossary and add 10 cl of Fever-Tree Indian Tonic WaterIndian tonicThe classic tonic: sparkling water, bitter quinine and sugar. The name recalls colonial India, where quinine warded off malaria.Glossary. Place one raspberry, a slim pink grapefruit slice and a single edible pink flower in the glass; repeat the same garnishes on a small plate beside it. Stir once gently to preserve the tonic's sparkle. The result is a bright, dry-leaning pink gin and tonic with a clean fruity finish.