Karu Lightning Gin

Double juniper and three layers of citrus drive Karu Lightning Gin, bottled at 57.5% ABV. Karu names herbaceous lemon myrtle, bitter ruby grapefruit and sweet mandarin as the citrus, and adds rose geranium grown at the distillery, Australian coriander seed and South African honeybush. Lightning has its own recipe rather than being the house gin at a higher strength.

Citrus · Floral · Herbal · Navy Strength

JuniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary sets the opening, followed by a broad sweep of citrus. Lemon myrtleLemon myrtleThe leaf of an Australian tree with an intense lemon scent, purer than zest and without acidity.Glossary gives a leafy, aromatic lift, grapefruit a firm bitter edge, and mandarin rounds it with sweeter peel. Coriander links the fruit to the spice, rose geranium brings a fragrant floral note, and honeybush, a South African herbal tea plant, adds a soft, honeyed herbal depth. At full strength, the alcohol gives the palate a direct, warming presence. Karu's tasting notes recommend a touch of water, which opens the floral notes and lets the spice travel further.

The gin won an IWSC Trophy in 2021, along with gold and 98 points that year. The citrus comes forward, but the juniper and spice stay present despite the strength. A small measure in a MartiniDry MartiniGin and a little dry vermouth, stirred over ice and served in a well-chilled stemmed glass, with an olive or a twist.Glossary gives the botanicals a firm centre, while a long drink makes the citrus easier to explore. A few drops of water open it when tasted neat.

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 clear iceClear iceIce without air bubbles, made by slow, directional freezing. Denser, it melts more slowly and dilutes less.Glossary, add 4 cl of Lightning and 10 cl of chilled Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic WaterAromatic tonicA more bitter tonic, often tinted by Angostura or other bitters. It suits spicy gins.Glossary, and stir gently once. Add a ruby grapefruit peel and a small lemon myrtle leaf to the drink, with a mandarin wheel on the rim. The smaller measure respects the strength, and the garnish repeats the three citrus of the recipe.