The G&T still does the business supercharging a night out – and for many of those evenings Hendrick’s has been my choice. Now their distillers have looked across the English Channel for inspiration behind their latest creation
Some 30 years have passed since a gin and tonic became my go-to drink on a night out – after I’ve had a few pints.
For that, Noel and Liam Gallagher are to blame as their Oasis anthem Supersonic is incredibly three decades old now! Released back on April 11, 1994, Noel’s banger carried the sing-out-loud lyrics ‘I’m feeling Supersonic, give me gin and tonic’. And with those words, a generation of young lads and lasses asked for just that.
The G&T still does the business livening up a night out. And for many of those evenings Hendrick’s has been my choice. I liked the bottle first of all – it’s great as a makeshift vase with flowers – to give your living room that French bistro feel.
Of course it’s distilled out of Scotland using infusions of cucumber and rose petals giving that floral aroma. And it’s a taste I have stuck with for years now. But let’s go back to that thing I was saying about the French – as the Hendrick’s distillers have taken the bistro thing and ran with it.
So much so, the Master Distiller Lesley Gracie has looked across the English Channel for inspiration for her latest creation. And come up with a limited edition flavour – Grand Cabaret. A gin made for celebrating.
Gin fans have been raving giving it a ‘bravo’. Sarah posted on Instagram : “We bought one bottle, tried it, and went back the next day to buy a case. Just in case it really is a limited edition.” Another drinker Em Wilson said she loved it so much ‘it’s in the Ocado basket’.
Lesley – originally a Yorkshire scientist – told us the secret to the new release. She said: “I’m always looking for inspiration. And this time I found it leafing through historical recipes for stone fruit spirits, eau de vies, peach schnapps, cherry liqueurs when those indulgent stone fruit flavours were the ‘in thing’ for those that had the means to celebrate in spectacular style.
Lesly added “sweet herbs to round out the vibrant fruit” saying it was the first time she had experimented with stone fruits in a Hendrick’s. Ally Martin, Hendrick’s Global Brand Ambassador, adds: “It’s fascinating to dig deep into cocktail history and see what flavour combinations captivated creative minds in Paris at the turn of the 20th Century.
The new creations come as the gin market goes from strength to strength with the market set to be valued at £16billion by 2028. Obviously there are the well known producers like Hendrick’s. But small scale producers have been popping up all over the UK. Even a former headteacher Nicola Finney is picking up awards for award winning craft gin this year.
While High Street stores like Marks And Spencer’s have launched quirky flavours such as the M&S Distilled Flavoured Gin Duo. And heritage brands like Whitney Neill – established back in 1762 – still have loyal following who prefer the traditional with its Distillers Cut Gin.
But for those wanting a little gaelic flair to mix with their tonics, then the Grand Caberet maybe the one for you. It just has that je ne sais quoi!
