What makes Pink Gin Pink?
Pink gin, also known as 'gin rosé',has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many distilleries creating their own unique blends of the pink-hued spirit. But what exactly gives pink gin its characteristic colour? In this post, we'll explore the different ways that pink gin can be made and the ingredients that are often used to achieve its unique hue.
The History of Pink Gin
Pink gin has a long history, dating back to the 19th century when it was first created by the British Royal Navy. Sailors would add a dash of Angostura bitters to their gin to help with seasickness, which also gave the gin a pinkish tint. This practice eventually caught on with the general public, and pink gin became a popular drink in its own right.
How is Pink Gin made?
The colour of pink gin can be achieved in a variety of ways, but it typically comes from the addition of natural ingredients that are high in pigments. Some of the most common ingredients used to create pink gin include:
- Berries: Raspberries, strawberries, and other berries can be used to give pink gin its characteristic colour.
- Flowers: Petals from roses, hibiscus, and other flowers can be used to infuse gin with their natural pigments.
- Vegetables: Rhubarb, whilst we often think of Rhubarb as a fruit it’s actually a vegetable and is used as a primary ingredient in our award winning Pink Filey Gin.
These ingredients are often macerated with gin and a combination of other botanicals for a period of time to extract the flavours and pigments, which gives the gin its pink colour.
What is the difference between Pink Gin and Standard Gin?
Pink gin differs from standard gin in that it is infused with botanicals and fruits that give it a pink colour and unique flavour. Standard gin, on the other hand, is typically made by distilling botanicals such as juniper, coriander, and citrus peel.
Why is Pink Gin so popular?
Pink gin has become a popular choice for summertime cocktails - it's refreshing, fruity, and just a little bit fancy! Popularity can also be attributed to the fact that it offers a twist on traditional gin, infusing it with botanicals and fruits that give it a different taste and colour. While both types of gin can be enjoyed neat or in a cocktail, pink gin is often associated with warmer days and is a popular choice for refreshing cocktails - it's like a vacation in a glass!.
Pink Gin Production at Filey Distillery
At Filey Distillery, we use a variety of natural ingredients to create our award winning Filey Pink Gin. Our secret recipe includes a blend of Filey grown rhubarb and strawberries, to infuse the gin with its unique colour. We also add both cassia and cinchona bark which are two of the ingredients found in angostura bitters to doth a cap to the original traditions of what constituted a pink gin.
These ingredients sit upon a generous helping of juniper and other core botanicals which underpin our Yorkshire East Coast Filey Signature Gin. Resulting in a pink gin rapidly becoming known as “The none pink gin lovers pink gin”
Conclusion
So whilst pink gin is seen by many as the precocious new kid on the block, we here at Filey Distillery have insisted that it grows up quickly both with the addition of the barks and an overall drier taste.
So whether sipping it traditionally with a Franklins tonic, ice and a wee rhubarb garnish or it forming part of your cocktail essentials tool kit – Filey Pink Gin is sure to hit the mark.
