Little Biddy Gin Pink

Fresh cherries from Central Otago give Little Biddy Pink its natural colour, gentle sweetness and rich fruit character. Reefton Distilling Co. pairs them with bright lemon and two kinds of peppercorn, pink and green, and bottles the gin at 40% ABV. It was named Best New Gin in its category at The Gin Guide Awards 2022, and won gold at the SIP Awards the same year.

Citrus · Spicy · Floral · Fruity

Ripe cherry opens the nose, then lemon lifts it with a fresh citrus note. On the palate, the fruit stays clear rather than jammy, and the peppercorns keep the sweetness in check. Pink peppercorns, the semi-ripe berries of a plant from the cashew family, bring delicate floral notes and a gentle spice; green peppercorns, the unripe berries of the black pepper vine, add a sharper, more savoury bite. Juniper stays part of the backbone, so the smooth, balanced finish still tastes of gin. Because the gin is made with natural cherry juice, a little sediment may form, and a gentle shake of the bottle redistributes it.

The range is named after Little Biddy, a Reefton legend and gin-toting gold prospector who stood four feet tall. The distillery suggests Pink in a classic 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, or with a quality Indian or grapefruit tonic or soda water over ice, garnished with a sprig of thyme and a slice of lemon. The cherry also suits a Clover ClubClover ClubGin, lemon, raspberry syrup and egg white, shaken until it foams.Glossary or a gin spritz. Served neat and chilled, the cherry shows most clearly.

For the long drink, 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 ice, add 4 cl of Little Biddy Gin Pink, then pour in 10 cl of Double Dutch Pomegranate Basil Tonic. Give it one gentle stir and finish with two fresh cherries and a few pink peppercorns. Pomegranate deepens the red fruit, and the peppercorns echo the spice of the recipe.