Sheringham Distillery, Batch 1354, 43% Alcohol
Availability: Sadly, no longer ships outside BC
Known botanicals: Cherry blossoms, yuzu peel, green tea leaves and flowers
Food Pairing: Japanese or Thai food; English high tea; seafood; lemony desserts
This pan-Pacific inspired gin takes its name from “kazu,” meaning “harmony,” and “ki”, meaning “radiance.” Kazuki has a lovely light complexity that earned it the award for Artisanal Spirit of the Year at the Canadian the 2020 Artisan Distillers Canada Competition. It has a lovely floral character from Japanese cherry blossoms, warmed and smoothed by green tea and citrus from yuzu peel. If you like Juniper’s Wit, consider this a Japanese-themed alternative. My mother thought she didn’t like gin, but she loved this in a Tom Collins.
The nose is floral and complex. In the mouth, it’s greener but still very floral and I find it too floral on its own but really good with ice or soda. It mimics how sake has both floral and creamy elements, only heightened here.
The finish is vegetal and it rounds out cocktails really nicely. Kazuki loves lemon, for instance, in a G&T or a Martini. A Tom Collins brings out the vegetal and spice elements. I wasn’t sure it would stand up to a Negroni, but it’s wonderful, really adding lightness and smoothness — it may be my favourite Negroni so far.
SUGGESTED RECIPE: WATERMELON GIN SMASH
Serves 1
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups fresh watermelon cubed
- 8 fresh mint leaves
- 4 fresh cucumber slices about 1/2″ thick
- 3/4 ounces simple syrup
- 2 ounces Kazuki gin
INSTRUCTIONS
- Blend watermelon chunks on high for about 30 seconds until smooth throughout. Pour over a mesh sieve into a large glass. Set aside.
- Muddle together mint leaves, cucumber, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
- Add gin, 1 cup of watermelon juice, and a small handful of ice cubes. Stir well.
- Pour cocktail over fresh ice in a glass. Garnish with fresh cucumber slices and mint sprigs.
(adapted from Monica Stevens Le at https://themovementmenu.com/watermelon-gin-cocktail/)
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SUGGESTED RECIPE: Watermelon Gin SMASH
Serves 1
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh watermelon cubed
- 8 fresh mint leaves
- 4 fresh cucumber slices about 1/2″ thick
- 3/4 ounces simple syrup
- 2 ounces Kazuki gin
Instructions
- Blend watermelon chunks on high for about 30 seconds until smooth throughout. Pour over a mesh sieve into a large glass. Set aside.
- Muddle together mint leaves, cucumber, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker.
- Add gin, 1 cup of watermelon juice, and a small handful of ice cubes. Stir well.
- Pour cocktail over fresh ice in a glass. Garnish with fresh cucumber slices and mint sprigs.
(adapted from Monica Stevens Le at https://themovementmenu.com/watermelon-gin-cocktail/)
GIN SOCIAL
This is a fan site for Canadian artisanal gins and a forum for related discussions. Many artisanal gins are available on-line which can provide great fun during COVID, allowing places to visit you when you cannot travel yourself. Related discussions will address alcohol consumption and social justice issues.
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