Cauldron True Blue Gin

Butterfly pea flower gives Cauldron True Blue Gin its natural blue colour. Made in Queensland at 40% ABV, it pairs juniper with three Australian botanicals: strawberry gum leaf, finger lime and aniseed myrtle. The flower brings the colour, and the native plants shape the taste. No colouring is added.

Citrus · Herbal

Finger limeFinger limeAn Australian citrus whose pulp forms tiny tart pearls that burst in the mouth.Glossary opens the nose with a bright, tangy citrus note, while strawberry gumStrawberry gumThe leaf of an Australian eucalyptus that smells of strawberry and red fruit.Glossary leaf adds a soft, fruity, leafy aroma; this eucalyptus relative smells of berries rather than of the cooling menthol found in other gum leaves. Aniseed myrtle brings a gentle sweet-anise note that runs through the palate, and juniper keeps the whole recipe firmly within gin, adding a resinousResinousAn aroma reminiscent of pine or fir resin. It is juniper's signature, due to compounds such as pinene.Glossary dryness under the native aromas. The finish is fresh and lightly herbal, with the anise lingering after the citrus.

The colour is part of the experience. When tonic is added, the change in acidity turns the deep blue toward purple or amethyst, so the shade varies with the mixer and the amount of citrus. A clear glass and a pale tonic show the shift best. At 40%, True Blue can also be served simply over ice, where its blue stays vivid and the finger lime and aniseed myrtle remain easy to taste. Fresh lemon or lime juice changes the colour in the same way, so 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 Tom CollinsTom CollinsA long drink of gin, lemon juice, sugar and soda water, served over ice in a tall glass.Glossary turns pink-violet as it is mixed.

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, pour 4 cl of gin, add 10 cl of chilled The London Essence Company Original Indian Tonic Water and stir once. Finger lime pearls echo the citrus botanical and release their juice slowly into the drink, while an aniseed myrtle leaf picks up the anise note. Pour the tonic slowly down the side of the glass to watch the colour move from blue to violet.