Hendrick’s Dropped a New Gin Flavored with Stone Fruit Just in Time for the Spring
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Hendrick’s made waves in the gin category when it was founded in 1999 in partnership with Scottish drinks company William Grant & Sons. That’s because the key botanicals used to flavor the spirit—rose petals and cucumber—were considered to be unusual at the time. Over the years Hendrick’s has added a few new expressions to its portfolio that deviate from the core gin, the latest of which—Grand Cabaret—is infused with stone fruit and sweet herbs.
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Hendrick’s master distiller Lesley Gracie, who also co-created the brand, is the woman charged with overseeing production and coming up with these new limited releases at the distillery in Girvan, Scotland, also known as the Gin Palace. Hendrick’s is a blend of two gins made using different stills, a Carter-Head and copper pot, each producing a unique spirit with its own character. Grand Cabaret is the fifth gin to join Hendrick’s Cabinet of Curiosities, the line of experimental expressions from the brand. Previous releases include Flora Adora, Midsummer Solstice, and Lunar, each flavored with special botanicals to separate them from regular Hendrick’s.
While Gracie doesn’t reveal the exact botanical recipe used for Grand Cabaret, she does say she was inspired by stone fruit spirits that were popular in Paris in the early 20th century. “I was captivated by historical recipes for indulgent stone fruit spirits, eau de vies, peach schnapps, and cherry liqueurs that were in vogue in the 1900s,” she said in a statement. “I experimented with these flavors a bit and found that when you put them together, they produce a rich cabaret of notes that are both bright and light, ultimately serving as the inspiration behind this latest release.”
That certainly comes across on the palate. This is much fruitier and a bit sweeter than what you might expect from classic Hendrick’s, although the flavors of the core botanicals are still present. Grand Cabaret is well suited for making spring and summer cocktails, but it’s probably best used in drinks with a fruit or citrus element rather than a classic like a Martini. Brand ambassador Vance Henderson suggests pairing it with sparkling wine in a Spritz Royale cocktail (you can find the recipe at the Hendrick’s website).
Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret is available now at stores and from online retailers like Total Wine, along with the rest of the lineup.
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