Earp Dawson's Oyster Gin

Two family businesses from the Newcastle region, Earp Distilling Co. and Dawson's Oysters, worked together on this limited gin, released for Shuck Fest during Newcastle Food Month. Local oysters go into the recipe alongside juniper, watermelon, saltbush and sea celery, and the strength is 42% ABV; the bottle holds 500 ml. Earp presents it as a modern take on oyster gin and warns that it may never be made again.

Citrus · Limited Edition · Herbal

JuniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary leads the nose, with a hint of citrus and a faint sea breeze behind it. On the palate, the oysters give the spirit a smooth, almost viscous texture, and the saline side comes from saltbush and sea celery rather than from added salt. Watermelon keeps the middle fresh and slightly sweet, which stops the marine note from turning briny. The finish is dry and clean, with the saltbush lingering as a gentle savoury edge. The effect is closer to a coastal herb garden than to a seafood stock, and the juniper never disappears. Sea celery has a fresh, slightly salty taste close to parsley.

Earp suggests 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, a G&T or serving it on the rocks. A dry 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 with a lemon twistTwistA strip of peel twisted over the glass to release its oils, then dropped into the drink.Glossary plays up the smooth, savoury texture and makes an obvious partner for a plate of fresh oysters. Over ice, the watermelon and citrus come forward, while a tonic opens the herbs and shows the saline detail most clearly. Fresh oysters, naturally, are its best partner at the table.

For the long drink, 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, add 10 cl of chilled Le Tribute Tonic Water and stir gently once. Add a thin watermelon ribbon inside the glass, and place a watermelon wedge and a clean oyster shell on a small plate beside it. The tonic's citrus brightness keeps the oyster note light, and the watermelon echoes the fruit in the recipe.