Exploring ingredients: Our Spice & Botanical Infusion Kits for Gin

Gin is a spirit defined by its botanicals. At its heart, it’s an infusion of nature - aromatic, versatile and - as you'll see on the shelves in any supermarket or off-licence - endlessly variable. While a classic London Dry gin is a timeless choice, infusing your own with spices and botanicals allows you to create a spirit that’s completely personal.

Our own Spice & Botanical Infusion Kits for Gin are designed for exactly that: to help you transform a simple bottle of gin into something complex, aromatic and unique. Be that just for more interesting and delicious G&Ts or to help make cocktails, syrups or gin-flavoured jellies!  Here, we’ll explore the 12 ingredients included in the large set and how they can elevate your basic, everyday gin at home.

Summer-inspired gin botanicals

For those who enjoy bright, refreshing flavours, these ingredients bring a touch of summer to every glass of gin and tonic.

• Fennel Seeds. Sweet and earthy with a licorice-like flavour that adds warmth and depth.  Ours come from India.
• Lavender. A well-known and loved fragrance that works really well in gin. Strong and floral with subtle woody notes. A little goes a long way for a beautifully perfumed finish. We source ours from various European countries.
• Lemongrass. One of the darlings of Asian cooking, its zesty and citrus-forward character provides a clean, lemony aroma that’s ideal for fresh summer cocktails. We actually get ours from Egypt.
• Pink Peppercorns. Complex and layered, with a balance of heat, sweetness and surprising floral notes. A little goes a long way as have they - all the way from Indonesia.

Citrus and fruity gin infusions

Citrus is one of the cornerstones of gin, adding a distinct and much loved brightness. These ingredients are perfect for anyone who loves a zesty profile.

• Orange & Lemon Peel. Classic gin botanicals that bring freshness and balance, especially when paired with warming spices. Most of ours comes from either Senegal or South Africa.
• Coriander Seeds. Spicy, fruity and slightly gingery, with hints of lemon and sage that round out the citrus notes, ours come from India.

Floral botanicals for gin

Floral botanicals give gin a delicate, aromatic quality. They’re ideal for adding elegance and fragrance to cocktails, too.

• Rose Petals. Sweet, aromatic and yes, romantic. Rose petals create a refined floral profile. Our petals start life in Pakistan.
• Elderberries. Dark, fruity and naturally sweet, elderberries add richness with a jam-like finish.

Juniper: The best-known, essential gin botanical

No gin is complete without juniper. It’s the defining ingredient of the spirit, bringing that classic piney character. We include them in our kits as it allows people to really indulge in a strong juniper note.

• Juniper Berries. Aromatic, pine-scented and slightly bittersweet with fruity undertones. Juniper is what makes gin taste like gin. Indeed, without it, life would be far more dull. Ours actually come from Albania.

Spicy gin botanicals

If you prefer a bolder flavour, these warming spices add depth, intensity and a real character to your homemade gin infusions.

• Ginger. Fiery and pungent, perfect for adding a lively kick. Our tin of the root comes to life when infused, all the way from Nigeria.
• Allspice. Warming with subtle notes of mulled wine, making it an excellent choice for winter drinks. Festive through and through, just like Mexico where we get ours from.
• Cassia. Hailing all the way from China, this sweet and cinnamon-like root, with slight minty undertones gives a lovely spice note. 

Want to infuse gin at home? Three tips.

Infusing gin doesn’t need to be complicated. With the right botanicals, you can easily create flavours that rival craft distilleries. You can save money and have fun at the same time, too. Here are three simple tips.

1. Start with plain gin. Choose an unflavoured, basic (cheap!) London Dry gin as your base. When infusing, there is no point using the expensive, precious bottle you've saved. 
2. Infuse before mixing. Always add botanicals to the gin directly before adding tonic or other mixers. This ensures maximum flavour. Oh, and when you do add tonic, decent plain tonic will be fine. Adding expensive flavoured tonic may undo your good work.
3. Experiment with flavours. Yes, make it fun! Try different combinations and adjust the quantities until you find your perfect blend. If you don't try, you'll never know...

Final thoughts

Our Spice & Botanical Infusion Kits for Gin make it easy to explore the art of gin infusion at home. From citrus and spice to floral and pine, each ingredient offers its own unique flavour profile. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing summer drink, a cozy spiced gin for winter, or a floral cocktail with elegance, this set gives you the tools to craft gin that reflects your own taste. Try making a syrup or gin-flavoured jelly, too. 

By experimenting with these botanicals, you’re not just making drinks. You're infusing, creating joy and creating your own signature gin experience, too. 

Cheers!