5 Scottish Gins to enjoy this summer
Ah, the great Scottish summer… when the days are longer and the rain gets warmer. But, if you’re anything like us, you will be dreaming of an idyllic scene of a still, warm late afternoon/early evening, basking contentedly in the sun’s rays with bees buzzing over scented blooms and a chilled G&T by your side.
Whether or not that occasion arises for you, we’re here to help make sure you’re prepared for it, with a selection of 5 Scottish Gins that are perfect for summer sipping.
Kirkjuvagr Beyla Gin
The newest release from Orkney distilling is an Old Tom-style pink gin that is simply perfect for enjoying in the summer sun.
Made using honey from the very bees that visit the distillery’s gardens, where they grow their botanicals and infused with ripe Scottish raspberries, this gin is a sweeter and fruiter offering from the distillery that retains the true Orkney provenance they are famous for.
Try it with ice, tonic and plenty of fresh raspberries for a beautifully pink and refreshing toast to summer. £32.99 for 50cl – Buy here.
Rock Rose Gin Summer Edition
An obvious choice for summer drinking, the summer edition from Rock Rose is a very refreshing, citrusy gin, but the surprising thing is that the ingredients contain no citrus peel!
The team at Dunnet Bay Distillery challenged themselves to make a citrus style gin using botanicals grown in the distillery gardens. Together with their gardener, they planted, harvested and dried botanicals including lemon balm, clover, lemon thyme, pineapple sage, meadowsweet and elderflower to create the Summer Edition.
Perfect served with lots of ice, a light tonic and citrus garnish of your choice. It costs £37.50 for 70cl and you can buy it here.
Garden Shed Gin
Whether you’re in your garden shed, summerhouse, balcony, conservatory or indoors looking out, what better way to celebrate Scottish gardens than with a glass of a gin originally created in a Glasgow garden?
Not only that, but you’ll be doing your bit for conservation too, as a portion of the profits from Garden Shed Gin go to charities that help protect trees and bumble bees in Scotland.
A clean and refreshing gin, made using dandelion, lavender and blackberry, it’s a fantastic choice for summer garden parties or barbecues. Serve with ice, tonic, a rosemary sprig and ripe blackberry. Available here for £39.50 for 70cl.
Secret Garden Apothecary Rose Gin
Really, we could have chosen any of the magical range of colour-changing gins that are produced by The Old Curiosity Distillery, but the Apothecary Rose is the one that takes us to warm, summer evenings, surrounded by the heady scent of blooming roses.
This is a classic floral gin in every sense, and, when mixed with tonic, the liquid turns from golden to a beautiful hue of pink, while taking on a sweeter, rose-like Turkish delight flavour. An incredibly elegant summer gin – you can buy it here for £35.95 for 50cl.
Verano Gin
Okay, technically this is two gins, but each is ideal for a summertime tipple. The two gins, recently released by William Grant & Sons, are full of Spanish fruit flavour, inspired by the “relaxed lifestyle and colourful vibrancy of Spain”.
You can choose from watermelon or lemon Verano gin. Enjoy the watermelon version in a tall glass with lots of ice, lemonade and a wedge of watermelon to garnish, or the lemon in a simple G&T with a lemon slice.
You can buy a taste of Spanish sunshine in Aldi for £23 for 70cl.
We hope you make the best of the lighter, brighter days and, just remember, even if we don’t have a great Scottish summer, at least we can enjoy some great Scottish Gin!
Please enjoy Scottish Gin responsibly.
