Wenneker Elderflower Dry Gin

In the Netherlands, Wenneker is one of the old names in distilling: a family-owned house whose heritage goes back to the seventeenth century and whose expertise covers liqueurs as much as spirits. That background shows in this Elderflower 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, which keeps a classic gin structure while giving a floral ingredient the leading role, a balance liqueur makers are well placed to judge.

Citrus · Floral · Herbal

Elderflower is the heart of the recipe. It brings a light, aromatic sweetness and a fresh, spring-like character without any sugar being involved. Around it, juniperJuniperThe one compulsory botanical: gin must taste predominantly of juniper. Its "berry" is really a small conifer cone, resinous and peppery.Glossary keeps the backbone clear, orange and lemon add brightness, and coriander contributes a gentle spice and herbal depth. The less expected ingredient is lime tree blossom, the linden flower better known from herbal tea, which adds a second, softer floral layer and gives the elderflower something to lean against rather than leaving it alone.

The nose opens on clean juniper and soft floral aromas, followed by delicate citrus and subtle herbal accents.

On the palate, juniper leads into the elderflower, supported by fresh citrus zest and a restrained spice, with the linden blossom widening the floral register. Dry and refreshing, the finish leaves floral and citrus notes lingering over a balanced herbal line. At 40% the gin stays light on its feet, which serves a floral profile better than extra strength would.

Franklin & Sons Premium Indian Tonic WaterIndian tonicThe classic tonic: sparkling water, bitter quinine and sugar. The name recalls colonial India, where quinine warded off malaria.Glossary gives this gin the quinineQuinineAn alkaloid from cinchona bark that gives tonic its bitterness. The British in India drank it against malaria and added gin: the gin and tonic was born.Glossary it needs: a floral dry gin paired with a floral tonic drifts towards perfume, while a firmer Indian tonic keeps the drink dry. Fresh orange, cut into a fine wheel, is the only garnish, echoing the fruit in the recipe and softening the edge of the quinine. Keep the gin cold and the tonic well chilled, so the elderflower stays lively rather than heavy.