CELEBRATE the prospect of emerging from lockdown by making cocktails with a spirit especially made for Spring, which helps to capture the fresh, botanical notes of the season.

Step in, Rock Rose Gin Spring Edition, crafted to bring a crisp, fresh taste to Rock Rose Gin. It derives its glorious fresh style from additional botanicals including gorse flowers, which smell deliciously of coconut; coltsfoot, from the distillery gardens, which give the gin a sweetness; and dandelion, that brings lovely earthy liquorice notes to perfectly balance the sweetness. Cardamom and water mint bring a freshness to the gin, which is made in the UK’s most northerly distillery, on the Scottish coast, using locally-grown or foraged botanicals.

Lime in the Coconut cocktail

Ingredients

50ml Rock Rose Spring Edition Gin

25ml Fresh lime juice

10-25ml Simple syrup (to taste)

50ml Coconut water

A couple of drops of Coriander & Lime Liquid Garnish

To garnish: a lime wedge and a mint leaf (if available)

Method

Fill a cocktail shaker or mixing glass with ice cubes. Add all the liquid ingredients and stir for 20 seconds until chilled. Strain into a frozen Martini glass and garnish with the lime and mint.

Elderflower & Herb Gin Fizz

Ingredients

50ml Rock Rose Spring Edition Gin

30ml Elderflower Liqueur (such as St Germain)

20ml Elderflower cordial

20ml Fresh lemon juice

Sprig of fresh rosemary

Soda water

To garnish: extra sprig of rosemary – plus elderflowers, when in season.

Method

Pour the gin, liqueur, cordial, lemon juice and one sprig of rosemary into a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes and shake. Fill a Collins glass with ice and strain the cocktail into the glass. Top with soda water.

Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and, when in season, some fresh elderflowers.

Tip:

Think ahead during elderflower season: freeze mini sprigs of rosemary with fresh elderflowers in ice cubes or ice balls so that you have attractive ice garnishes at any time of year.

Rock Rose Gin Spring Edition (41.5% ABV) is also available in sustainable refill pouches, like all Rock Rose Gins. It’s the only company that offers this service. When you’ve finished every last drop in that gorgeous, collectible ceramic bottle, you can order a refill pouch (£30); post back the recyclable pouch (no need for packaging or a stamp) and the distillery will ensure it is recycled.

Rock Rose Gin Spring edition bottles cost £37.50 www.dunnetbaydistillers.co.ukhttps://www.dunnetbaydistillers.co.uk/shop/rock-rose-gin-spring-edition/