Gin Review: Pinkster Gin

I’m rather surprised I’ve not yet reviewed Pinkster Gin. I’ve worked side by side with them at Gin Festivals, I know the reps on the stand pretty well, and have used their gin in tastings (as well as bought a bottle or two). It’s square bottle and pink spirit is immediately identifiable, as is their catchphrase ‘spank the mint!’ – but more on that later.

Let’s start at the beginning.

As with most gins, it all started with a little experimentation. Founder Stephen was a keen maker of sloe liqueurs and boozy infusions. When he realised that other alcohols just weren’t for him any more, he naturally moved onto spirits and from his kitchen table, Pinkster was born.

The gin itself comes from G&J Distillers in Warrington (home of Thomas Dakin, Bloom, Opihr and producer of spirits for other brands such as Bulldog Gin) who use five botanicals to create the gin itself, before Pinkster macerate it with three more botanicals, including the raspberries that give it that distinctive pink colour. 

Neat it’s gently sweet, raspberries, strawberries and the juniper is there in the background, spice on the tip of the tongue, but it feels tight. It’s always for me been a gin that needs a little opening up. Add a splash of tonic and it becomes full of soft fruit, round flavours. 

Now I did taste this bottle and found it to be different to normal. It wasn’t as packed full of fruit and flavour as I’m used to from Pinkster. Too much tonic and I completely overwhelmed the fruit – it was flatter in profile. I’m not aware that their production has changed, so can only assume that the batch of raspberries in this bottle weren’t as fruity. In a small batch gin, a little variation is not uncommon. 

The infusion process also means that there are two lovely side products. The raspberries remaining after the infusion go into their Boozy Berries – perfect for popping on ice cream, or as I did, into my drinks as a garnish (they are one of your five a day after all). And they also go into their Gin Jam. Watch this space for uses for that one, as I have a feeling I’m going to get baking.

It’s a pretty spirit – and with the heart label released just in time for Valentine’s Day, instead of roses and chocolates, it could be just what the gin lover in your life needs. 

Mr GFB and I also taste tested some Valentine’s Day cocktails created by Pinkster – our favourites being the Pink Fizz:

20ml Pinkster

10ml Chambord

Top with Prosecco

Simply pour the Chambord and Pinkster into a flute, and top with fizz – and a Boozy Berry as a garnish, or you could ‘spank the mint’. Grab a mint sprig and ‘clap’ it between your hands to release the oils and pop into the glass.  

Another winner was the Romantic Fashion – a twist on an Old Fashioned:

50ml Pinkster

1tsp caster sugar

1 pink grapefruit wedge

Grapefruit peel garnish 

Squeeze the grapefruit wedge into a tumbler, add the sugar and half of the gin, and a few ice cubes. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, before adding the second measure of gin, stir again and garnish. We may have put in more Boozy Berries. 

 

Pinkster is a light and fruity gin, and with it’s gentle juniper, a great ‘starter’ gin if you’re new to the spirit. 

Let the love affair be-gin. 

With thanks to Pinkster for sending me the bottle to review. I’m looking forward to getting my bake on!