Are you a magician with a side job as a bartender? A bartender with a side job as a magician..? Or, perhaps you just like cool gin… Whatever your profession, you NEED to know about this mind-blowing ginnovation (we’re leaving a moment here for you to applaud that incredible portmanteau).
Colour changing gins are here and multiplying like rabbits exposed to radiation. Most are made by infusing the gin with a deep indigo flower called ‘butterfly pea’. Butterfly pea has been used as a tea for a long time in South East Asia, but is now making its way into gins and cocktails. The liquid acts as a pH indicator, changing from blue to purple when acidity is introduced (for example in the form of lemon juice). As butterfly pea is an all natural colouring, try not to expose your gin to sunlight as the indigo colour will fade over time.
These theatrical but all natural effects make butterfly pea a perfect addition to showy cocktails or a fancy G&T. Butterfly pea also has little flavour, so it won’t take away from the botanicals too much. We’ve lined up some of the best colour changing gins here:
The Illusionist Gin
If by any chance you do happen to be a magician, this German gin is the perfect choice for you. A beautiful deep indigo colour, this gin becomes a warm violet with the addition of tonic or citrus. Not only is the colour changing effect magical, but the packaging is stunning in its own right. Arriving in an indigo and gold box with a matte black bottle and engraved cork, The Illusionist certainly has an eye for detail. To drink, the Illusionist is very smooth and delicate. If you find the juniper bite of gin a little much at times and prefer a floral taste, you’ll love The Illusionist’s light flavour.
ABV: 45%
Size: 500ml
Find it here: £37.90
Ellis Butterfly Pea Gin and Scottish Bramble Gin
We love a Scottish gin over here, and Ellis Gin does not let the side down with their two colour changing gins. The Butterfly Pea Gin shifts from blue to purple, and their Scottish Bramble shifts from red to orange. It’s not often you see a colour changing gin that isn’t made with butterfly pea, but Ellis Gin has pulled it off with their Scottish Bramble! We recommend trying the Scottish Bramble with ginger beer as it’s a little spicy and the Butterfly Pea with some elderflower tonic to enhance the floral notes. Support Scottish gin today and pick up some Ellis!
Butterfly Pea: Scottish Bramble:
ABV: 40% ABV: 40%
Size: 500ml Size: 500ml
Find it here: £29.95 Find it here: £29.95
Empress 1908 Gin
If you’re looking for a classy gin that’ll make you feel like royalty, Empress 1908 Gin is the way to go. Empress Gin is crafted with eight different botanicals, including grapefruit peel, rose petal and a signature tea home to the gin’s namesake: The Empress Hotel in Canada. This gin is both delicate, opulent and a delight to look at. It’s also a great excuse for a royal themed party!
ABV: 42.5%
Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
Find it here: UK £42.50 // US $47.99
McQueen Colour Changing Gin
When it comes to colour changing gin, or just gin in general, the Scots have knocked it out of the park. McQueen Colour Changing Gin does exactly what it says on the tin and more, with the smooth blackcurrant blend creating a sensory experience as pleasing as the visual one! It’s a soft and subtle gin, especially with the addition of tonic - but that makes it no less worthy of a showstopping G&T bound to marvel your guests.
ABV: 37.5%
Size: 700ml
Find it here: £22.95
Pink Marmalade Gin
Many of the gins on this list start as a dark indigo colour, but Pink Marmalade Gin begins as a much more vibrant Bombay Sapphire-esque blue and turns a light shade of violet. What is really astounding about this gin, however, is its construction. As its name suggests, Pink Marmalade Gin is made in micro batches using a signature salted marmalade made with grapefruit which is then infused with 12 botanicals including pink peppercorns, almond and chamomile. This complex flavour profile lets you know that Pink Marmalade is first and foremost a gin of quality, not gimmicks.
ABV: 42%
Size: 700ml
Find it here: £38.95
Ink Gin
We’re not 100% sure whether or not you can actually use this gin as ink, but why would you want to? An Australian gin, Ink Gin uses locally grown botanicals to create its fresh piney, spicy and citrus aroma and flavour. The long finish of this gin leaves the palate crisp, clean, and yearning for another sip. Husk Distillers, the distillery that creates Ink Gin, also have a non-colour changing but deep red Sloe and Berry Gin on offer which is definitely worth checking out (and it’s a lower alcohol choice).
ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Find it here: £36.95
Looking for more Gin content? Why not have a read of The Best Gins To Try This Year, The Best Gins For A Martini or The Best Flavoured Gins For Your Money?