Let’s talk about Gin Garnishes
Let’s talk about gin garnishes
Let’s talk about gin garnishes…
The garnish in your #gin is like the icing on your cake. Whether you match and harmonise with a gin’s key flavours, or contrast and balance them, there is no ‘correct’ choice of #garnish. It is all about personal preference.
So, where to start?!
1 – Read the label. The label on your gin will help you to identify the flavours in it.
2 – Match the botanicals in the gin to complimentary flavours of a garnish. This is the tricky part but we like to use this advice from the Craft Gin Club:
If your gin has dominant flavours of..
Citrus (e.g. lemon, grapefruit) garnish it with Bergamot, Basil, Star Anise, Mint, Lemon Thyme
Spices (cinnamon, star anise or pepper) use Black Pepper, Black Tea Leaf, Ginger, Orange, Cinnamon, Pink Peppercorns
Juniper-led (classic) garnish with Grapefruit, Juniper Berries, Lime, Lemon
If your gin is Floral (rose, chamomile, elderflower) garnish it with Rosehip, Lavender, Apple, Rosemary, Chamomile, Rose, Rhubarb
For Fruity gins (raspberry, strawberry, apple) use Chilli, Basil, Berries, Redcurrant, Pomegranate, Black Pepper
3 – Consider aromas, textures and mouthfeel too, it’s not all about flavour.
4 – Experiment! Try different ways of using the same garnish. A slice of lemon will taste different than a lemon peel.
5 – HAVE FUN! It’s all about personal preference and you can’t really go wrong. Have a play around …whilst you drink responsibly of course!