Departed Spirits Yuzu Gin

Japanese highland yuzu juice is blended with dry ginDry ginGin with no perceptible sweetness: in the European Union, the word "dry" allows at most 0.1 g of sugar per litre.GlossarySee Dry gin gins to make Departed Spirits Yuzu Gin, bottled at 37% ABV. The producer describes a deliberately restrained juniper character, with mellow green-apple and chamomile notes alongside the vivid citrus. That combination sets it apart from a gin built around peel alone: the yuzu is added as juice and gives the drink a rounded, fresh-fruit quality.

Citrus · Floral · Fruity

The nose is bright with yuzu, carrying the fragrant, tart character of the citrus. Juniper sits further back, allowing the fruit to lead without removing the gin's botanical identity. Green apple brings a softer orchard note, while chamomile adds a delicate floral impression. The aroma stays clear rather than perfumed, with the citrus providing the most immediate detail.

On the palate, yuzu brings both freshness and a gentle acidity. The green-apple note rounds the fruit, and chamomile softens the transition to the finish. Juniper is subtle but present, offering a dry background against the juice's brightness. At 37%, the gin drinks more lightly than a higher-proof dry gin, and dilutionDilutionThe water added by melting ice. In the right amount it opens the aromas and softens the alcohol; too much flattens the drink.Glossary with tonic or soda keeps the citrus open rather than covering it.

The blend brings together the yuzu juice, dry gin and the softer aromatic impressions of green apple and chamomile. Those gentle notes round the citrus without competing with it. Serve it over ice with a light tonicLight tonicA low- or no-sugar tonic, often sweetened with substitutes. Drier, it brings out the bitterness and the gin.Glossary or soda. A clean, citrus-focused preparation follows that advice and leaves the yuzu in focus.

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 Franklin & Sons Refreshingly Light Tonic. Stir gently, then place a thin yuzu wheel and a small chamomile flower in the glass. The light tonic extends the drink without overwhelming the juice; soda water is an alternative for a less bitter, more direct citrus serve.