A real humdinger: Humdinger Gin
Sloe gin is made by infusing gin with blackthorn fruits (sloes), after it being distilled with juniper. The result is a sweeter, fruitier flavour, that’s traditional in the United Kingdom (UK).
The refreshing drop is best enjoyed neat or over ice – you could add a splash of soda water. Just a small addition to the process makes a big difference. Humdinger Gin distillery produce an award-winning sloe gin; they’ve acquired Kiwi sloes, which are grown in our very own backyard.
“Sloe gin is very popular in the UK,” Saskia Lewis (pictured) of Humdinger says. “We have our own sloes, which grow in North Canterbury. They’re the only commercial-scale orchard in New Zealand, so they have their own unique taste.”
They’re grown in hedgerows – strips of densely planted shrubs. The berries are similar to a small astringent plum. This year’s crop for Humdinger has been a bumper one, and next year is looking the same. “Once we’ve been through the first frost, we pick them and put them straight into the gin and leave that to rest for four months. We then back-sweeten it with a wee bit of sugar just to take away some of the tartness.”
An unmatched symphony of flavours pours out of every bottle. The sweet fruitiness pairs perfectly with a cheese platter. You can explore Humdinger’s range at their website, or by visiting their new site at 2 Talbot Street in Geraldine.
