Meet the newest addition to Sipsmith’s range of fine spirits: our deliciously indulgent Lemon Drizzle Gin – exclusive to M&S.
The beginning of a new season is the perfect time for good news, and this autumn we’re thrilled to introduce the latest addition to the Sipsmith family. Delectable, naturally sweet, and brightly citrusy, our Lemon Drizzle Gin’s name is no misnomer: in the glass, this dessert-ready gin really is reminiscent of a slice of lemon drizzle cake.
Though it may sound like a contemporary innovation, citrus gins like our Lemon Drizzle actually have quite the history here in London. Originating in the 1930s – and widely enjoyed by the 1950s and 60s – gin flavoured with lemon and orange was produced by several different distilleries in the Big Smoke. Our Lemon Drizzle Gin is made in homage to that lesser-known slice of spirits history…with our own Sipsmith twist, naturally.
Together, our Master Distiller Jared Brown and Head Distiller Ollie Kitson have tried and tested the recipe for our Lemon Drizzle Gin, including multiple different lemon additions: the gin features dried lemon peels, vapour-infused freshly peeled lemon, a fresh lemon twist for every bottle – even lemon verbena sourced directly from Jared’s garden, which adds a delicately herbal complexity. The result is a gin of beauty, and one which works well in cocktail serves or even on its own.
If you’re eager to sample Lemon Drizzle Gin for yourself, you can pop down to M&S, where it will be on the shelves from the end of September. But if you’re thinking that it sounds more than a little familiar, you’re also right: in fact, Lemon Drizzle Gin first made its debut in our inaugural Sipping Society (formerly known as the Quarterly Sipping Service) shipment, which was sent out last year.
If you were one of the early supporters of the Quarterly Sipping Service, then you’re lucky enough to have already tried the recipe. In fact, it was thanks to the support of our Sipping Society drinkers that our Lemon Drizzle Gin is now a permanent offering. Alongside other experimental recipes, like our Hot Cross Bun Gin and Christmas Tree Gin, Lemon Drizzle had such a positive reception from our Founding Members that we couldn’t bear to bid it adieu.
If you’re thinking of picking up your very own bottle, begin by tasting it neat: made with a base of our London Dry Gin, Lemon Drizzle Gin is delicate and delicious enough to enjoy on its own. On the nose, you should notice a biscuity sweetness, followed by a flavour of fresh, zesty, warming lemons, and a lightly liquorice-infused finish.
Happily, Lemon Drizzle Gin is also phenomenally cocktail friendly. A simple Lemon Martini is the perfect place to begin (make yours extra citrusy by garnishing with a lemon twist), while a Lemon Drizzle Gin G&T is sure to be crowd-pleasing. It’s also happy in more elaborate cocktails – and if you’ve created a recipe of your own, we’d love to hear about it.
Cheers to delicious new beginnings!
