Takapuna Apple Gin

The crisp, juicy flavour of freshly picked apples defines Takapuna Apple Gin from CarbonSix Distillery. The distillers use a traditional pot-stillPot stillA traditional still, often copper, that distils in batches. It keeps more texture and character than a column.Glossary method to create a smooth, rich gin base, then add the apple flavour, balanced with traditional gin botanicals. It is bottled at 40% ABV. It is part of CarbonSix's Takapuna range of flavoured gins.

Citrus · Fruity

CarbonSix lists apple, orange and juniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary as the top notes. Fresh apple fills the nose, crisp and green rather than baked or cidery. Orange adds a soft, rounded citrus lift in the middle, and juniper keeps a dry, resinousResinousAn aroma reminiscent of pine or fir resin. It is juniper's signature, due to compounds such as pinene.Glossary line underneath so the fruit stays within a gin. The pot-still base gives the palate a smooth, slightly rich texture. The finish is clean and fruity, with the apple fading slowly over the juniper. It is an easy, approachable gin, built for refreshing drinks rather than for slow sipping. Served very cold, the apple tastes crisper and the orange brighter. The orange note keeps the apple from tasting one-dimensional.

The distillery suggests it for a refreshing drink on a warm day, a cocktail party or happy hour, and as a useful bottle for a home bar. Its orchard fruit suits an apple Collins, a Jack Rose made with gin, or a long drink with cloudy apple juice and soda. A splash of soda, a slice of green apple and plenty of ice make a light alternative to tonic. Neat and chilled, the apple is crisp.

For the G&T, pour 45 ml of Takapuna Apple Gin over ice 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 and slowly add 100 ml of Double Dutch Elderflower Tonic. Add a thin slice of fresh apple and an orange twistTwistA strip of peel twisted over the glass to release its oils, then dropped into the drink.Glossary to the glass, and serve the same garnish on a small plate beside it. Elderflower suits the orchard fruit, and the two garnishes echo the gin's top notes.