Giniversity Southern Ocean Gin

The Southern Ocean, which batters the south coast of Western Australia beyond Frenchman Bay in Albany, inspires Giniversity Southern Ocean Gin. This Navy StrengthNavy StrengthGin bottled at 57% ABV or more. Royal Navy lore holds that at this strength, gunpowder soaked in gin would still ignite.GlossarySee Navy Strength gins gin, at 57.7% ABV, uses botanicals and infusionsInfusionFruit 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 chosen to reflect the saltiness of that water, among them juniper, spinach and citrus. Giniversity says the gin entwines the influences of a fierce and intense ocean.

Citrus · Navy Strength

Its story draws on two images from the sea: gunpowder from the decks of old battle-worn ships, the origin of the Navy Strength name, and the medicinal cures once used for sailors' ailments. In the bottle, the gin is the colour of the deepest, darkest ocean. Add dry tonic, soda or citrus and the colour changesColour-changing ginGin tinted with butterfly pea flower, whose pigments shift from blue to pink when the acidity of tonic or lemon lowers the pH.Glossary, from that dark ocean to the shades of a Western Australian sunset. At this strength, juniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary and citrus come through with force, while the spinach brings a green, slightly vegetal note to the savoury, coastal profile.

Giniversity suggests adding dry tonic, soda or citrus, which both lengthens the gin and reveals the change of colour. Its strength makes a small measure go a long way, and it also suits a GimletGimletGin with lime cordial or sweetened lime juice, served well chilled without ice. It is said to come from the Royal Navy, as a guard against scurvy.Glossary or 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, where it keeps its character. A few drops of water open it when tasted neat. Serve it well chilled to soften the alcohol.

For a highball, pour 3 cl over clear ice in a highball glass, add 10 cl of chilled Schweppes Dry Tonic Water and stir gently. Add a lime wheel. The smaller measure suits the high strength, and the lime triggers the colour change while sharpening the citrus.