Seven pink gins to try for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is upon us again, bringing with it a proliferation of heart-shaped chocolates, rose-smattered bouquets, and pink plonk.

If you’re tempted by a special Valentine’s Day gin and tonic, why not try one of these blushing iterations?

Isle of Wight Distillery – Mermaid Pink Gin

With a pretty name and a pretty bottle to boot, this is a pink expression of the Isle of Wight Distillery’s original Mermaid Gin. Local strawberries are steeped in the gin for four days before it is redistilled. The botanical bill also includes rock samphire, elderflower and Boadicea hops, which add earthiness and spice. This is also one for the eco-conscious, with plastic-free, totally recyclable packaging.

 

Salcombe Gin – Rosé Sainte Marie

While many pink gins swing towards the sweeter end of the spectrum, Salcombe makes its Rosé Sainte Marie in a purposefully dry style. Named after a lighthouse which stands at the Old Port of Marseilles, the gin is inspired by the flavours and aromas of the South of France with botanicals including orange blossom and rose petals. Salcombe suggests a gin-and-tonic serve, garnished with lemon peel to accentuate the citrus notes or fresh strawberry to reveal summer berry flavours.

Beara – Pink Ocean Gin

From across the Irish Sea comes Pink Ocean Gin. It was launched as a limited edition for Valentine’s Day in 2018, but was so popular that the distillery made it a permanent addition to its range. Like the original Beara Ocean Gin, it is distilled with Atlantic sea water and includes rose water and cranberries in the botanical mix, adding floral and tart notes. Beara’s recommended serve is with Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic and a pink grapefruit garnish.

Silent Pool – Rose Expression

This shares the Silent Pool Gin DNA, but is distilled with a unique rose tea infusion which creates a delicate floral flavour. The distiller promoted the expression with a special “Galentine’s Day” offer, where buyers could treat a friend to a bottle of gin. Silent Pool suggests serving it with elderflower tonic and garnishing with a slice of pear, one of the gin’s botanicals.

Malfy – Gin Rosa

The Italian producer has nailed fruity expressions with its zingy lemon and blood orange expressions, and its Gin Rosa follows the trend. Made with Sicilian pink grapefruits and rhubarb, it has a more citrussy kick than you may find in pink gins using red berries. Malfy suggests mixing up a pink gin fizz or a pink lemonade, with limoncello and soda.

Four Pillars – Bloody Shiraz

Yes, it’s technically more red than pink, but this Australian gin is one to try.  It’s made by steeping local shiraz grapes from the Yarra Valley in high-proof Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin for eight weeks, producing a gin with spicy red berry flavours. The distillery says Bloody Shiraz works well mixed with lemon tonic or bitter lemon; for a cocktail serve, try a Martinez.

Mirabeau Rosé Gin

Known for its rosé wine, French producer Mirabeau branched out into gin this year. It’s made with the grape alcohol extracted during the process of lowering the alcohol in its Forever Summer low-ABV wine. Mirabeau suggests serving the gin in a rosé Martini or with tonic (it’s partnered with Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic for the signature Mirabeau Rosé and Tonic, garnished with rosemary).