These days we desire something smooth and refreshing, so it is undoubtedly the time of gin & tonics!

This time we would like to introduce you to two amazing premium gins and tonics to try this summer.

If you would like to unwind and imagine yourself on a Mediterranean island, then you should ask for a Nordés gin & tonic. Or if you would prefer something more exotic, try the extraordinary Drumshanbo Gunpowder gin with oriental botanicals and gunpowder tea!

Nordés Gin

Nordés is Galicia’s very own premium gin, which was created as a celebration of its native land. Nordés has a truly unique character as far as premium gins go, made possible by ingredients which grow wild in Galicia and capture the essence of the Atlantic.

Part of what makes Nordés Gin so unique is its base spirit, made using albariño grapes. As well as 6 botanicals which grow wild in Galicia, it also has 5 which are sourced overseas, each one macerated separately until the exact aroma is achieved.

Nordés is made using 11 individually macerated botanicals, 6 of which grow wild in Galicia, namely sage, bay leaf, lemon verbena, eucalyptus, peppermint and glasswort, a plant found in coastal regions, which create its distinctive balsamic aroma.

5 botanicals sourced overseas are also used, these being juniper, ginger, cardamom, hibiscus and black tea, which give Nordés subtle notes and a well-balanced flavour.

The inspiration for its distinctive white and blue bottle, with its unique design, comes from the the traditional porcelain products made by hand in Sargadelos, in Galicia.

Nordés is named after the wind that heralds the arrival of fine weather in Galicia.

Perfect Nordés G&T with J.Gasco Indian Tonic

How is a perfect gin and tonic prepared with Nordés? For the preparation of this Nordés gin & tonic, we suggest to always serve in a wide glass with a lot of ice, and to add the ingredients in the following proportions:

• First 50 ml of Nordés gin,

• Then 200 ml of premium tonic water, we suggest J.Gasco Indian Tonic to try.

• Lastly, garnish with 3 white grapes. The grapes reinforce the nuances of the albariño wine distillate that is present in the gin.

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin

At the edge of a lake in a shed in a small Irish town, the ordinary is made extraordinary. Within is the laboratory of PJ Rigney, boundary-pushing begetter of hand-made spirits who slow distills gin with natures finest oriental botanicals and gunpowder tea.

Drumshanbo Gunpowder gin is made with Gunpowder Tea and exotic Oriental botanicals. Gunpowder tea is a green tea that has been slowly dried, the delicate leaves then carefully rolled into shiny pellets. The flavour is bold and bright with a slight spicy freshness.

The 12 botanicals are slow distilled by hand in a medieval copper pot gin still. The botanicals used are the following: juniper berries, coriander seed, angelica root, cardamom, orris root, star anise, caraway seed, meadowsweet, lemon, gunpowder tea, oriental grapefruit and kaffir lime.

These result in smooth layers of fresh citrus with subtle spicy notes and ends in an exotic, long and mysterious finish.

The logo of the brand is quite interesting: it is a “jackalope”. A creature of such mystery and wonder – the mythological progeny of a jackrabbit (not a real rabbit) and an American antelope (not a real antelope). Two disparate cultures and traditions brought together in a singular flash of inspiration.

Drumshanbo G&T and Basil Smash recipes

If you prefer to enjoy the signature serve of Drumshanbo gin, then pour 40 ml of Drumshanbo Gunpowder gin on ice, then fill up the glass with 140 ml of premium East Imperial Burma tonic which enhances the citrusy notes of Drumshanbo gin.

If you would like to try a “more summery” cocktail, then we would definitely suggest the following Drumshanbo Basil Smash recipe:

• Fill a glass with ice,

• Pour 50 ml Drumshanbo Gunpowder Californian Orange Citrus gin,

• Add 25 ml lemon juice,

• And 15 ml sugar syrup,

• Lastly, give it a good stir and garnish with basil leaves.

Nordés and Drumshanbo gins, and various premium tonics can be purchased in the webshop of WhiskyNet.