You know what's wild about gin? It's like a blank canvas where distillers can go crazy with flavors. I've seen everything from smoked salmon to black truffle being turned into gin. So, can we really put any food into gin and make it work?
Let me break down the science behind flavour extraction before sharing the most interesting gin flavours I’ve ever seen.
The Science of Flavour Extraction in Gin
By definition, gin is a neutral spirit flavoured with botanicals, with juniper berries being the predominant flavour. There are 2 primary methods to get flavours into spirits:: infusion and distillation.
Infusion: The Easier, More Flexible Method
This is the simple way - just put ingredients in alcohol and wait. Infusion is incredibly flexible and works with almost any food.
- How It Works: The alcohol pulls out the flavors, kind of like making tea. Alcohol acts as a solvent, dissolving oils, aromatic compounds, and even water-based flavours.
- It’s Versatile: In theory, any flavour can be extracted through infusion, as long as the ingredient contains compounds soluble in alcohol.
Distillation: The Complex, Selective Approach
Distillation is more complicated because it needs heat to separate and capture specific volatile flavour compounds.
- How It Works: We heat up the alcohol and catch the vapors that carry the flavors. These vapours are condensed into liquid, leaving behind non-volatile components like fats or proteins in the pot. Distillation is ideal for ingredients with highly volatile essential oils, such as citrus peels, juniper and truffle.
- It’s Selective: Not all flavour compounds are volatile (i.e. can be evaporated at alcohol boiling point). Foods with heavy fats or proteins, like salmon or bacon, don’t vaporize well and therefore aren’t ideal for direct distillation.
The Weirdest Gin Flavours in the World
1. Mac & Wild - Smoked Salmon Infused Gin
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Known for celebrating the flavours of Scotland, Mac & Wild took things to the next level with their smoked salmon-infused gin. Using smoked salmon, the distillery captures the fish’s rich, smoky essence through infusion. The result? A gin that pairs surprisingly well with tonic and a slice of cucumber. |
2. Cambridge Distillery - Black Truffle Gin
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Black truffle, one of the most luxurious culinary ingredients, has been distilled into a gin by Cambridge Distillery. Each botanical is distilled individually to preserve the truffle’s earthy character. The result is a bold, gourmet gin that feels like a high-end dining experience in every sip. |
3. Forest Distillery - Forest Gin
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Crafted in small batches using locally foraged ingredients, Forest Gin incorporates wild berries, moss and fern into its recipe. This gin captures the essence of a forest, proving that with creativity, even the most unconventional botanicals can be used. |
4. Cambridge Distillery - Anty Gin
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Yes, you read that right - Anty Gin is made with ants. Specifically, red wood ants, which naturally produce a citrusy flavour due to their formic acid. These ants are distilled alongside other botanicals, resulting in a gin with a surprisingly tang and citrus taste. It’s the perfect choice for adventurous gin lovers. |
5. Butcher’s Gin
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Inspired by the butcher’s shop, this gin incorporates smoky and savoury notes. While the exact recipe remains a secret, it’s said to include hints of dry aged meats. The result is a savoury gin that challenges traditional expectations of what gin can be. |
6. CollaGin – Gin with Collagen
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CollaGin is a gin designed with beauty in mind. It’s infused with collagen - yes, the same protein used in skincare products. Featuring 11 botanicals with pure collagen, it’s also a surprisingly smooth gin with subtle herbal notes. |
7. Moonshot Gin – Gin with Moon Rock
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Moonshot Gin uses botanicals that have literally been sent to the edge of space - Moon Rock! Once they returned to earth, we vacuum distilled them at room temperature, resulting in a gin that’s marketed as “out of this world.” |
Final Thoughts: A Gin for Every Palate
Making gin is like being a crazily fun scientist - you can try almost anything. Some work better than others, but that's what makes gin so fun. Whether you want to surprise friends at a party or just try something new, there's probably a weird gin out there for you.
Next time whether you’re hosting a Halloween party, exploring the most interesting gin flavours, or looking for a “weird” gin that you should give a try. Who knows? You might end up loving ant-flavored gin!