Sipsmith London Dry Gin is the founding gin of the London distillery established in 2009. The project helped return small-batch copper-pot distillation to the capital after a long absence, and its London Dry Gin remains made in small batches at the Chiswick distillery. Bottled at 41.6% ABV, it is built around ten botanicals.

Macedonian juniper is joined by Seville orange peel, Spanish lemon peel, coriander, cassia, cinnamon, almond, angelica, liquorice and orris. This broad recipe gives the gin a classic London profile with real detail: bright citrus above the juniper, dry roots through the middle, then warm spice and a faint marmalade note around the edges.

The nose is floral and citrus-led, with juniper at its centre. In the mouth, the gin is dry and decisive: lemon tart, orange marmalade, coriander and spice work around a firm juniper core. The finish is long, dry and gently warming, making it particularly reliable in spirit-forward classics as well as a well-made G&T.

Sipsmith's classic serve is 5 cl of London Dry Gin with 15 cl of quality Indian tonic over ice, finished with a fresh lime twist. Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water keeps the recipe crisp, while lime adds a bright top note without obscuring the gin's orange, lemon and juniper detail.

Sipsmith rewards a clean glass and careful proportions. The lime twist does not replace the gin's own citrus botanicals; it lifts them at the rim, while Indian tonic leaves space for roots and spice underneath. Take a first sip before stirring further. As the ice opens the spirit, the recipe becomes more layered without losing its dry, unmistakably London character.