Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. I’m not a big fan of this commercial day, but I never say no to a good spirit, especially when it come in a cute bottle and is filled with pink gin! You’ll get a chance to win your own Pinkster bottle, but first, let’s recap what Pinkster is all about.
Pinkster Gin – The story
Pinkster is an all-natural gin which is both distilled and compound. The base spirit is triple-distilled with five key gin botanicals, including juniper and black peppercorn, and after distillation, the gin is left to macerate with three more botanicals, including juicy raspberries. These raspberries are selected with care from just outside Cambridge. After they’ve given enough flavour to the gin, the gin-soaked raspberries are sold in local markets and other food stalls as boozy raspberries, perfect with ice cream or as a garnish for cocktails.
When Stephen, the clever man behind Pinkster Gin, was told to stay away from wine and beer as he had developed a yeast allergy, he decided to play around with different spirits. He had previously enjoyed making sloe gins at home, therefore experimenting with other fruits wasn’t a hardship for him. He tested a great variety of fruits and berries, but felt the raspberries gave the best flavour balance to his new spirit. After testing his homemade brew amongst friends, he was ready to find help. The next step was to find a distillery to work with. Today, G&J Distillers provide the equipment and skills to distil the base gin and help with the rest of the production, even though Stephen keeps a close eye on the processes and makes sure each batch of raspberries is consistent with his premium brand.
How to drink it
Even with its blush colour and the number of raspberries used, Pinkster Gin is not sickly sweet and the raspberries aren’t overpowering. The taste is slightly tart with subtle sweetness, making it a wonderfully smooth gin. Juniper is nicely present with a hint of pepper and coriander. It’s great served with Fever-Tree Tonic and slightly bruised mint leaves.
The list of cocktails is endless, but here’re two recipes perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Pink Fizz
20ml Pinkster Gin
10ml Chambord
10ml Fresh lemon juice
Top up with Prosecco
Combine all ingredients in a champagne flute. Garnish with a raspberry, boozy one if available.
Pink Rose Gin
50ml Pinkster Gin
25ml Fresh lime juice
2 tsp Sugar
Dash of rosewater (go easy on it as it can be very strong)
5 Raspberries
Soda
Ice
In a rocks glass muddle raspberries with sugar and lime juice. Add gin and rosewater, stir gently and add ice. Top up with soda and garnish with rose petals and raspberries. You can also make a jug of it and pour into champagne flutes. Personally, I like the raspberry bits in my cocktail, but you can always strain the mixture before serving for a less messy-looking drink.
Competition time!!
Ok, ok, back to the competition! My dear friends from Pinkster Gin are spreading the love this month by giving you a chance to win a bottle of their Limited Edition Valentine’s Day Gin! Just follow the steps below. Competition closes on the 14th February 2017! Let the love beGin!
- Follow On the Sauce Again & Pinkster Gin.
- Share this post on Twitter or Facebook.
- We are looking for the cheesiest Valentine’s line. Has someone approached you with a cheesy line or do you have a line you use? The cheesier the better!
Good luck! XX
4 Comments
You may fall from the sky, you may fall from a tree, but the best way to fall… is in love with me.
Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk by again?
Do you come here often 😀 oldie but goodie!
If love is blind, Braille’s an awful lot of fun!