Step Into The Curious Cocktail Cabinet of Hendrick’s Gin

Gin lovers out there will certainly be familiar with Hendrick’s, and possibly even their very own Gin Palace on the southwest coast of Scotland, but if that’s a little inaccessible for you then how about stepping inside the enchanting world of Hendrick’s Gin through, ‘The Curious Cocktail Cabinet’.

This is not your run-of-the-mill cocktail book; it's a guided tour led by none other than Ally Martin, the Hendrick's Gin Global Ambassador, and a maestro of mixology. His concoctions and creations have earned him accolades, and now he's sharing his expertise with you. With Hendrick's Gin at the helm, this book is a treasure trove of liquid delights, perfect for both novices and seasoned sippers.

Get ready to explore the secret garden of Hendrick's, where all eleven key botanicals are paired with an inventive cocktail to celebrate it. Discover the secret stories behind the legendary Hendrick's cocktails, straight from the imaginative minds of expert bartenders worldwide.

From iconic classics like the G&T, Martinis, Gimlets and Negronis to more complex and unusual serves, as you flip through the pages, you'll journey through seasons and continents. Summer stunners, winter warmers, and an array of peculiar ingredients will unveil the versatility of Hendrick's gins and truly elevate your cocktail game. Brewberry Yum, Mint 500, Hot Spiced Apple and plenty more intriguing concoctions await.

It really is a joy to shake, stir, and sip your way through this book, and because of the beautifully charming design, it makes such a lovely gift for any gin drinkers too. If you think it’s for you or someone you know then it’s available to pre-order now from Penguin and Amazon for £20 ahead of a September 7th release date!

The Best Scottish Gins To Explore

Guess what? The sun is out. Cue the rain and thunder to begin the second you read this line (hopefully not). No but seriously, having presented a TV Series all about Scotland I picked up a gin discovery or 2 (or 7) along the way – and in today’s guide that’s exactly what I’ll share with you. Simple really, some absolutely stunning Scottish gins. Alrighty, delve in.

Loch Ness Gin

I adore this gin. When your family have lived on the banks of Loch Ness for over give centuries, you naturally have a great understanding of the area. Kevin and Lorien Cameron-Ross decided to take their knowledge of the local plants and herbs, intertwining that with their favourite spirit, Gin. Suffice to say whatever those pure waters of Loch Ness are doing to the refining process is working. Each limited-edition handmade batch is created from their home and the small-scale operation allows them to maintain the quality they set out to achieve with their liquid. While the monster may remain a mystery, knowing I’ll enjoy this gin is not.

ABV: 43.4%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £46.95

Côtes Du Roussillon Firkin Gin

As wine and spirits are two of my favourite things, it’s no surprise at all to find a wine-cask finished gin on this list and Firkin are by far one of the best out there. Being a limited edition release, there’s not that many of them out there, so if it sounds like your thing, you may want to act now. The casks previously held some of the finest Mas Cristine Côtes Du Rousillion, the result of which imparts a stunning rich plum and blackberry into this gin. Honestly, well done folks – it’s gorgeous. We tasted this in Part 2 of The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky, as well. There was a Chardonnay finished gin too, but as you’d expect it was so popular… it is no more!

ABV: 46%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £35

Rock Rose Gin Spring Edition

There’s something about Rock Rose’s bottle that I find so enticing. Maybe it’s the porcelain or the wax seal, or the vibrant colours, hell, I don’t know, but it tastes bloody amazing. The sun is shining and we’re in the heart of Spring, so this seemed like an obvious choice. Distilled with local ingredients like coltsfoot, dandelion and gorse flowers which only grow during Springtime this seasonal treat embodies a cool refreshing sweetness bound together by a soothing yet earthy liquorice backbone. Also, no need to ever throw these gorgeous bottles away – keep them as a vase of serving water when you’ve got friends over. See, look at that – added value. 

ABV: 41.5%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £34.00

Daffy’s Gin 

Produced in Edinburgh by a former winemaker and whisky distiller, the stunning illustration on each and every bottle was designed by none other than Robert McGinnis, the man behind the James Bond movie posters. Named after the goddess of gin, this wonder was designed to be served in its purest form over ice. But honestly, it tastes delicious regardless of the serve.

ABV: 43.4%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £32.95

Tanqueray No. 10

Would you believe it, this little gem has been around for over 20 years?! Launched in 2000 it was named after the number of the still in which it was produced, Number 10. Created in small batches with a plethora of fresh citrus fruits, this has become one of the iconic gins of the world so much so, it’s the only one to secure a spot in the San Francisco Wold Spirits Competition Hall of Fame. A mean burst of citrus and pepper spices is what you can expect upon tasting and quite frankly it makes a kick-ass martini or gin sour.

ABV: 47.3%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £28.59

Edinburgh Raspberry Gin

Based right in the heart of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh Gin has been distilling great liquid since 2010. They may be readily available across the country, but they still operate on a small-batch system. Gin purists may roll an eye at the ‘raspberry’ connection, but I have to say – at 40% the gin is there and the fresh Scottish raspberries and raspberry leaves really do add a refreshing fruity (but not sickly-sweet) burst making this a perfect contender for the warmer Spring and Summer days.

ABV: 40%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £24.95

Hendrick’s Gin 

Ahh Hendrick’s, we know you from your whimsical and slightly odd TV ads, but we also associate you as being a gin for the people with your rose and cucumber flavours, galore. Seriously, there’s a reason this is one of the UK’s top gins, distilled at their Gin Palace in Girvan by Lesley Gracie, one of the top names in gin innovation. Back to the gin, it’s versatile, smooth and creates a fabulous G&T alongside being a killer choice for cocktails.

ABV: 41.4%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £31.55

Liked this? Why not check out The Best Gins for a Martini?