Let the festivities Be-GIN with the McQueen range
McQueen Gin is celebrating the most wonderful time of the year with a delectable range of festive tipples. Crafted in the spirit of endless exploration, the Callander-based distiller makes unique, adventurous and world-first gins that are distilled to be different.
Launched in 2015 by husband and wife duo Dale and Vicky McQueen, McQueen Gin is a multi award-winning brand that has developed a reputation for creating some of the most innovative flavoured gins available on the market. The brand’s current range of 14 gins includes five world-first flavours; Sweet Citrus, Mocha, Smokey Chilli, Chocolate Mint and the festive inspired Spiced Chocolate Orange.
Created especially for the festive season, McQueen Gin recently released three new flavours; Black Cherry and Vanilla, Blood Orange and Cranberry, and Clementine and Cinnamon.
Explore McQueen Gin’s unique flavours this Christmas with these delicious-sounding recommended serves:
McQueen Spiced Chocolate Orange Gin
This bottle of festive fun is perfect for a Christmas hot chocolate with a kick. Dark and fruity notes are complemented with flavours of cacao and orange oil and are finished perfectly with touches of cardamom and cinnamon.
McQueen Spiced Orange hot chocolate
- 50ml McQueen Spiced Chocolate Orange Gin
- 150 ml of milk
- Zest of ½ an orange
- 50 g dark chocolate, chopped
- Garnish with chocolate orange matchmaker
Method: Heat the milk, cream and orange zest together in a saucepan until simmering, remove from the heat and pour through a sieve to remove the zest. Pour the infused liquid back into the pan and add the 50g of chocolate, stirring until the chocolate has melted and the consistency is smooth.
McQueen Black Cherry and Vanilla Gin
Christmas flavours are in abundance in this striking purple gin. Notes of sour cherry and spice are complemented with a subtle hint of smooth vanilla. Enjoy over ice with premium tonic or shaken in a martini, this is the perfect addition to your winter gin collection.
Serving suggestion:
- 50 ml McQueen Black Cherry & Vanilla Gin
- 100 ml premium tonic water
- ½ tablespoons cherry juice
- Garnish with a black cherry and vanilla pods
- ½ cup ice, extra to fill the glass
Available from selected Morrisons stores across the UK and The McQueen Gin Emporium in Stirling £19.99
McQueen Blood Orange and Cranberry Gin
In this fantastic winter warmer, the zesty blood orange and cranberry flavours mixed with distinctive juniper notes create a gin brimming with festive nostalgia. The orange and cranberry combine to create a warming taste on the palate, the perfect accompaniment to match any festive cheeseboard.
Serving suggestion
- 50ml McQueen Blood Orange and Cranberry Gin
- 100 ml premium tonic water
- Garnish with a generous slice of blood orange and a few cranberries
McQueen Clementine and Cinnamon Gin
Excellent for curling up by the fireplace, this festive gin does not disappoint. Swap out a winter hot chocolate for a hot toddy with this delicious blend of sweet clementine and warming cinnamon gin.
Clementine and Cinnamon Hot Toddy:
- 50ml McQueen Clementine and Cinnamon Gin
- Zest of ½ a clementine
- Spiced Ginger Beer to serve
- Garnish with dried pear and cinnamon
Method: Mix the gin, clementine zest and lemon juice together and split between two heatproof glasses, add the dried pear and cinnamon then top up with warmed spiced ginger beer.
Available from select Sainsbury’s stores in Scotland £19.99
