Mermaid Zest Gin is the brighter citrus-led version of Mermaid. Grapefruit, bergamot, lemon zest, rosemary and Cascade hops sit on top of the Isle of Wight Distillery’s coastal gin style, giving the bottle more freshness and bitterness without turning it sweet.

The nose is immediately citrusy, with grapefruit and bergamot giving a sharper perfume than lemon alone. Rosemary adds a dry herbal note, and hops bring a light bitterness that suits the coastal base. In the mouth, the gin stays fresh and clean, with citrus oils at the front and a dry herbal finish.

This is a gin for aperitif-style drinking, especially when the weather or the food calls for something bright. It can work with tonic, soda, a Collins format or a spritz-like serve. The key is to avoid adding too much sugar, because the grapefruit and bergamot are at their best when they stay crisp.

The Perfect Serve should use a clean tonic and a citrus garnish. Grapefruit is the most natural choice, but lemon also works if the drink needs more sharpness. Rosemary can be used carefully when the goal is a drier, more herbal finish. The import-ready version uses 12 cl of Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water, with lemon wheel, rosemary sprig.

Compared with the classic Mermaid Gin, Zest is sharper and more aperitif-friendly. Bergamot and grapefruit give bitterness, rosemary gives dryness, and the serve should keep that tension instead of pushing the bottle toward sweet citrus soda.

It is also a useful alternative when a classic gin tonic feels too soft. The citrus bitterness gives the drink more appetite and makes the bottle easy to place before seafood, salads or grilled vegetables.