Still Spirits Elderflower Gin flavouring, what it does

Gin is basically juniper with a committee of other botanicals arguing behind it, and elderflower is the one that softens the argument. It brings a light floral, faintly honeyed note that sits over the top of the pine without covering it, and it's the reason elderflower has quietly ended up in half the gin drinks on every menu in the country.

What the flavouring does

Still Spirits Elderflower Gin is a complete gin flavouring rather than an elderflower additive, so it already has the juniper and the supporting botanicals in it and the elderflower is built into the blend. That's worth knowing, because it means you mix it into a plain neutral base on its own rather than adding it to a gin you've already made.

It's worth saying, because somebody always asks. Flavouring a bought neutral base isn't distilling and there's no ATO excise licence in it at all. If you're distilling the base yourself that's a federal manufacturer licence through the ATO, and it's a separate question to this one.

Mixing it

The ratio is on the bottle, it goes into a clean neutral base and it wants a day to settle before you judge it. Floral notes are the first thing to suffer from a rough base, so this is one where it pays to start with something properly clean. If you want it more floral again you can steep a little fresh citrus peel in the finished gin for a few days, which lifts the top end without touching the juniper.

What it's good in

• A spritz. Sparkling wine and soda, with plenty of ice. This is what elderflower gin was made for.
• Gin and tonic. Use a plain tonic and a grapefruit slice rather than lime, because lime fights the florals.
• A Tom Collins. Lemon, soda, a little sugar syrup, and it goes down far too easily on a hot afternoon.
• Half and half with a dry gin. If the floral side is a bit much on its own, blend it back.

Shop related products

• Still Spirits Elderflower Gin. The flavouring this post is about.
• Still Spirits English Dry Gin Essence. The dry London style, and the one to blend it against.
• Still Spirits Pink Gin. For anybody in the house who doesn't get on with juniper.
• Still Spirits Classic London Dry Gin. A bigger batch version of the classic dry profile.

Did you know we also keep Just Juniper in the shop for pushing the juniper up, along with the 1125ml spirit bottles. They are not on the website, so give us a ring on (08) 8536 4333 to check what is on the shelf.

More on this

• English dry gin essence, what it gives you
• How to infuse a bought spirit at home
• How to flavour a spirit at home with essences

Not sure which one suits what you actually drink? Brewhilder will narrow it down, or have a look through the homebrew collection.

I hold strong views about tonic water and I'm aware that nobody asked for them.

Candeece

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