Norrbottens Destilleri Sun Gin

Sicilian citrus, grown organically, is at the heart of Norrbottens Destilleri Sun Gin, a limited release from Sweden. Orange, lemon and grapefruit shape its fruit-forward character, while juniper keeps the familiar gin structure in place. It is bottled at 45% ABV, a strength that gives the citrus real concentration.

Citrus · Organic · Fruity

Orange brings the roundest and sweetest note, lemon a sharper line, and grapefruit a dry, faintly bitter edge. Together they move from fragrant peel to lively acidity and on to a clean finish, more layered than a single burst of citrus. Juniper sits beneath the fruit and gives the palate a resinousResinousAn aroma reminiscent of pine or fir resin. It is juniper's signature, due to compounds such as pinene.Glossary anchor, so the gin never reads like a cordialCordialA concentrated syrup of fruit (often lime) and sugar, made to be topped up.Glossary. The citrus oils are most vivid when the gin is served cold. Grapefruit also gives the palate a slight grip that keeps the sweetness of the orange in check.

The method explains much of that balance. Norrbottens Destilleri double-distils Sun, then rests it for three months in a steel tank, a pause meant to soften the acidity and let the fruit's natural sweetness come through. The steel adds no wood or colour, so the citrus stays bright. At 45%, the gin keeps its weight with tonic and ice, and a measured pour works better than drowning it in mixer. Neat or over a single large cube, the three fruits are easy to tell apart, the grapefruit lasting longest.

For a gin and tonic, fill 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 with large clear iceClear iceIce without air bubbles, made by slow, directional freezing. Denser, it melts more slowly and dilutes less.Glossary, add 5 cl of gin and 10 cl of Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic WaterMediterranean tonicA tonic with less bitterness and sugar, scented with herbs and citrus (rosemary, thyme, lemon). It leaves more room for the gin's botanicals.Glossary, then an orange wheel and a thin lemon peel, and stir once. The Mediterranean tonic supports the citrus without making the drink sugary, and orange and lemon make the three-fruit character immediately recognisable. Taste before adding more tonic, since the balance tips easily.