Hobbs Cape Dry Gin

Lemongrass and lime leaves give Hobbs Cape Dry GinDry ginGin with no perceptible sweetness: in the European Union, the word "dry" allows at most 0.1 g of sugar per litre.GlossarySee Dry gin gins its Cape accent, alongside juniper, coriander and angelica root. Coriander brings a warm, lightly citrus spice and angelica an earthy base. The recipe pairs those traditional gin botanicals with lemongrass and spices, on a neutral spiritNeutral spiritAgricultural spirit rectified to at least 96% ABV, almost tasteless. It is the base later flavoured with botanicals.Glossary made from sugar cane. It comes from Hope Distillery in Salt River, Cape Town.

Citrus · Spicy · Herbal

Juniper, lemon and spice meet on the nose, the lemon tone echoing the lemongrass and lime leaves. Citrus and juniper lead the palate, with hints of cardamom and warm aromatic spice behind them, while the lemongrass keeps the citrus fresh. The finish is mellow and savoury, the spice lingering to the last sip.

Hobbs belongs to Hope Distillery's Family Spirits collection, which also includes a separate Hobbs Pink Pepper. The distillery's original licensed stills carry the names Mildred and Maude. This Cape Dry is bottled at 43% ABV and listed in a 500 ml bottle.

For a Cape citrus, fill a highballHighballA long drink served in a tall, straight glass with plenty of ice: a spirit topped with soda or tonic. The word also names the glass.Glossary with ice, add 5 cl gin and 10 cl Thomas Henry Botanical Tonic, stir gently and garnish with an orange slice. The orange follows the gin's citrus, and the botanical tonic sits comfortably with the lemongrass and spice without covering that savoury finish.