We don't need all our spirits to be flavoured – in fact we'd prefer it if they weren't – but nothing beats a good flavoured gin, especially as the weather warms up and zesty flavours bring the holiday vibes to our back garden patios.
In our list below you'll find our top picks of the best pink gins and the best flavoured gins you can buy to spice up – or, more accurately, sweeten up – your summer drinks game. As pleasing on the eye as they are on the tongue, these gins really do taste as good as they look in your drinks cabinet – trust us, we’ve tried and tested most of them.
The gins we’ve selected span the spending spectrum, with cut-price offerings and a few high-end additions for good measure – these also make great gifts. The entries on this list are also all ideal with a couple of ice cubes and a hearty serving of tonic.
UPDATE: We have been testing all manner of gins of late but the flavour one that stuck with us the most was Brockmans Orange Kiss. This sublime gin offers orange and triple sec notes and goes well with a mediterranean tonic.
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Best flavoured gin and best pink gin
One of the smoothest gins we tasted on the list and definitely a crowd pleaser. Not only does the liquid turn from subtle blue to pink when you add some tonic in, it tastes fantastic. There's a real hint of marmalade, slightly salted, and punchy citrus cutting through. The bottle looks great, too, if you are looking merely for shelf appeal.
If you're looking for a gin with a touch of something different, this rose tinted offering is made using fresh, juicy raspberries. Pinkster came about when founder Stephen realised wine and beer no longer agreed with him so, as a keen maker of sloe liqueurs, he decided to concoct something a little fresher. It's fruity, it's fresh - and there's also gin jam if you're feeling exotic.
3. Brockmans Orange Kiss
Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from AmazonThere is nothing better than a dash of orange zest with gin and that's exactly what you get with Brockmans Orange Kiss gin. We were already fans of Brockmans, having listed it in our best gin guide but this gin lifts the spirit to a whole other flavour level, with its orange and triple sec notes. Pair with a mediterranean tonic and even when the sun's not out, it will feel like you are catching some rays.
4. Portobello Road Savoury gin
Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from AmazonNot a fan of most flavoured gin or pink gin in general, Portobello Road Savoury gin is trying something different with the category. It is offering a gin with a distinct taste that's a far cry from those who add in sugar and the like to their mix. While this one could easily be drank as a 'normal' gin, we think its herbaceous taste - with basil and rosemary notes - really makes this one of the most distinctive gins out there and that's why, tautology aside, we have added it to this list.
5. Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz
Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from AmazonFour Pillars Bloody Shiraz really is like nothing else we have tasted in the gin world. It's gin combined with Yarra Valley grapes, which offers a wonderful rich purple colour and sweet taste. This drink is so popular in Australia that Four Pillars is fast becoming one of the biggest users of this particular grape variety. We reckon you can sip this one without any tonic or ice - something we did when we were given a taste test by the distiller - it's a really refreshing drink, with no additional sugars.
6. Boutique-y Gin Company Spit-Roasted Pineapple
Buy now from Master of Malt Buy now from Master of Malt Buy now from Master of Malt Buy now from Master of Malt Buy now from Master of MaltNothing says it's summer than the taste of pineapple and it goes surprisingly well with gin. This tropical-flavoured drink from That Boutique-y Gin Company isn't just flavoured with pineapple, but whole pineapple that's been spit-roasted with Demerara sugar to give it a caramelised taste. This is then paired with a strong gin so as not to be too overbearingly sweet. Like most of the gins on this list, it can be enjoyed on its own over ice or add a little sparkling water.
7. Warner's Rhubarb
Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from AmazonThis medley of pressed rhubarb juice, honey, spring water and gin is sweet, fresh and delicious. Warner's recommends you serve it with tonic water over ice, ginger ale or even topped with a slice of fresh orange.
Taking its base from Elephant Dry Gin and adding the citrus-fresh, aromatic complexity of sweet organic oranges with roasted cocoa beans, this is a sumptuous drink that really does have a smooth taste. Pair it with a Mediterranean tonic and you have a fantastic tasting (and smelling) G&T. And the bonus of buying a bottle is that 15% of bottle profits are donated to African elephant conservation efforts.
9. York Chocolate and Orange Dry Gin
Buy from Amazon Buy from Amazon Buy from Amazon Buy from Amazon Buy from AmazonIf you're a fan of seasonal flavours and fancy trying out a gin inspired by what might be our favourite chocolate, you might be pleased to hear York Gin has created the ultimate chocolate orange offering. Inspired by our favourite segmented sweet treat, it's a taste of Christmas in a bottle (or any time of year for that matter). So if you're after something a little different, why not give it a taste. Created at the small and sustainable York Gin distillery, you can sip away while feeling rather smug given it runs on 100% renewable electricity from sun, sea and wind.
10. OPIHR Black Lemon
Buy now from Tesco Buy now from Tesco Buy now from Tesco Buy now from Tesco Buy now from TescoWe are big fans of the spices that come in OPIHR gin and its latest expression makes for a fantastic G&T. OPIHR Black Lemon is a sharp, spicy gin that has a smell that conjures up Persian cooking and a taste that is really clean. There's a great mix of citrus and spice in this drink and isn't as overpowering as some of OPIHR's previous efforts.
11. Grace O'Malley - Heather Infused Irish Gin
Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from AmazonAgain, we were close to adding this one to our traditional gin list but there is enough of a distinctive flavour here for it to be classed as a 'flavoured' gin. That's how powerful the heather is in this bottle. Its distinctive sweet character really adds to the complexity of the flavour, making it one of the most aromatic gins around
12. Malfy Con Arancia Sicilian Blood Orange Italian Gin
Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from AmazonWe've been testing this one for some time now, that's how good it is - with a rich orange taste that works really well with a standard tonic. The colour is fantastic, a deep orange which will look good in whatever cocktails you are also preparing.
13. Chase Pink Grapefruit and Pomelo Gin
View now in Amazon View now in Amazon View now in Amazon View now in Amazon View now in AmazonCrafted in Herefordshire, Chase Pink Grapefruit and Pomelo Gin is a fresh and fruity addition to any drinks cabinet. With its citrus-y edge and juniper hints, this is a must for anyone who favours the bitter edge of grapefruit. It’s punchy, it has 40% ABV and it’s perfect neat or drunk with a tonic mixer.
14. Kopparberg Premium Strawberry and Lime Gin
View now in Amazon View now in Amazon View now in Amazon View now in Amazon View now in AmazonA name your used to associating with cider as opposed to gin, Scandi brand Kopparberg has tried their hand at a vibrant pink gin. This 37.5% ABV is double distilled over a two-week period before being unleashed into the bottle. Suitable for both vegans and vegetarians, this offering ties in perfectly with a punch tasting tonic.
15. Bloom Passionfruit & Vanilla Blossom Gin
Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from AmazonThe first time we tried this one it was in a cocktail that we rustled up with using actual passion fruit as a base and it was delicious. If you were to have it on your own, then we would recommend adding a little bit of lemonade to the glass, instead of a tonic.
16. Gordon’s Premium Pink Distilled Gin
View now at Asda View now at Asda View now at Asda View now at Asda View now at AsdaA big name in (and out of) the pink gin world, Gordon’s pink gin is infused with raspberries and strawberries with a tangy edge of redcurrents. It’s sweet, it’s fruity and with 37.5% ABV, there’s no reason not to enjoy a second glass (responsibly, of course).
Cotswold Gin's latest pink-tinged offering pretty much constitutes the perfect summer spritz. Packed full of, you guessed it, wild flowers (and an intriguing range of other botanicals), Cotswold's No.1 Wildflower Gin features cornflowers, lavender, rhubarb root and orange to name but a few ingredients, making it an aromatic 41.7% ABV
There is a lovely unique taste to Tarsier gin which makes it into this. It’s not flavoured as such but the Southern Asian botanicals that are used - including Calamansi, Thai Sweet Basil, Galangal and Kampot Pepper - give it a taste that is nothing like a standard gin. Because of this, it’s a good gin to have on the rocks or with a decent punch of citrus. For those after even more flavour, there is a pink version available with dried Raspberries and Red Dragon Fruit giving it its colour.
19. Masons Orange and Lime Leaf Gin
Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from Amazon Buy now from AmazonThis is a gorgeous gin and comes in the new-look Masons bottles. This one is packed with citrus flavours and the kaffir lime leaf really gives it a lift. We had this one with ginger ale and it’s an absolute treat.
20. Cantium Rubesco Pink Gin
We are big fans of Cantium, a Kent-based distiller that creates great-tasting gins and sprinkles in a bit of sustainability by making the bottles they come in reusable as flasks. To go alongside its standard gin is this pink variant. It’s got a superb taste, thanks to its key ingredient: Kentish strawberries and raspberries.
21. Malfy Rosa Gin
View now at Amazon View now at Amazon View now at Amazon View now at Amazon View now at AmazonThis citrus-y little offering has a delightful kick of peppercorn in addition to the Pink Grapefruit and Rhubarb flavours. Its nautical-inspired frosted bottle contains a powerful 41% ABV offering - making it stronger than many in this list - and is blended using Italian grain and spring water to achieve its distinctive colour, flavour and strength.
22. Bombay Bramble
Buy now from Tesco Buy now from Tesco Buy now from Tesco Buy now from Tesco Buy now from TescoThis is another smart gin from Bombay Sapphire. It’s infused with blackberry and raspberry which means that it’s practically a cocktail - all that’s needed it a guzzle of tonic and what you have is a really, cosy and refreshing drink.
23. Bloom Gin Jasmine and Rose
View now at Amazon View now at Amazon View now at Amazon View now at Amazon View now at AmazonThis jasmine and rose offering is an offshoot of the classic dry London gin we’ve come to expect from Bloom. With its smooth flavour and natural flavour of jasmine and rose petals, it’s definitely one of the more floral offerings out there. The bottle’s also worth a mention, as this offering would look impressive as part of any drinks cabinet.
24. Hendricks Lunar Gin
There is a lot to like about this limited edition version of Hendricks gin. It’s small batch and has a real earthy taste to it. It’s not exactly flavoured but the flavour is so unique that we wanted to put this one in the list. It’s a gin that begs for savoury additions, such as cucumber and black pepper.
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Additional writing/tasting: Marc Chacksfield