Weekender Orange Gin

Weekender promises fresh orange zing from its Orange Gin, a bright, juicy New Zealand gin made by Blush Merchants in Albany, Auckland. Bottled at 41% ABV, it took silver at the 2023 Juniper Awards. The brand describes it as citrus-forward, with balanced juniper and a hint of spice, and suggests it for adding a sunset twist to a favourite cocktail. It comes in 700 ml bottles, like the rest of the Weekender range.

Citrus · Spicy

Orange peel leads the nose, immediate and sunny, with a dry juniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary note underneath. In the mouth, the orange tastes juicy and bright, while a light spice gives it a quiet counterweight and keeps the citrus from turning soft or confectionery-like. The finish stays lively and clean. Compared with the Classic, it leans further into fruit, but it keeps the same easy, versatile character that runs through the Weekender range. At 41%, the orange holds up well once diluted, which makes it a natural choice for tall drinks. The spice is light enough that the gin still feels fresh rather than warming.

The brand pairs it with a classic Indian tonicIndian tonicThe classic tonic: sparkling water, bitter quinine and sugar. The name recalls colonial India, where quinine warded off malaria.Glossary, and its orange suits an Aperol-style spritz with sparkling wine or a NegroniNegroniAn Italian cocktail of equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and red bitter (Campari), served over ice with orange peel. Born in Florence in 1919.Glossary, where it brings out the bitter aperitif's citrus. A splash of soda and a slice of orange make a simple sundowner. Its juicy citrus also brightens a Tom CollinsTom CollinsA long drink of gin, lemon juice, sugar and soda water, served over ice in a tall glass.Glossary. Over ice with a twist of orangeTwistA strip of peel twisted over the glass to release its oils, then dropped into the drink.Glossary peel, it also works as a simple aperitif.

For the G&T, pour 45 ml of Weekender Orange into 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 filled with ice and add 100 ml of Thomas Henry Mediterranean Tonic slowly down the side. Add an orange twist and a cardamom pod to the glass, and serve the same garnish on a small plate beside it. The tonic's herbal edge gives the orange more structure, and the cardamom echoes the gin's touch of spice.