An unusual and delightfully refreshing spirit, Hendrick’s Gin, with its innovative infusion of rose and cucumber, is a smooth and versatile liquor that can stand on its own and take cocktails to new heights.
This piece originally appeared in print for Lifestyle Asia’s LA Crave 2024 book.
In a fast-paced world where efficient, streamlined processes are often prized above all else, there’s something refreshing—both literally and figuratively—about a product that deviates from the norm, opting instead to focus on delivering an utterly unique experience to customers. Hendrick’s Gin is one such product.
William Grant & Sons—the renowned, family-owned distiller that founder William Grant established in 1887—has continued to uphold its legacy of producing spirits that have captured the imaginations of customers around the world. In the case of Hendrick’s Gin, the distillery creates miniscule batches of the liquor in Scotland, proudly describing their process as one that’s “absurdly inefficient, yet quite glorious” — in other words, ultimately rewarding despite its idiosyncrasies. This is evident in the gin’s strong cult following, with many praising and returning to it for its inimitable taste.
An Oddly Wonderful Process
Hendrick’s Gin is the only one of its kind that’s born from the marriage of two different gins. One made in an old-fashioned pot still, which creates a rich spirit with intricate flavors; then another on a long-necked Carter Head, which produces a more delicate, refined taste. The distillery infuses each with an eclectic mix of 11 botanicals: chamomile, elderflower, juniper, lemon peel, orange peel, caraway, coriander, cubeb berries, angelica root, yarrow root, and orris root.
Finally, the two distinct gins are combined, ready to take in the signature rose petal and cucumber infusions. The result? A gin that’s simultaneously light and smooth, yielding balanced flavors and an enticing floral aroma.
A Gin for Any Occasion
What makes Hendrick’s Gin stand out is this paradox: despite its unorthodox and complex process, its strength lies in its simplicity, and by extension its versatility. It can be anything—and therefore everything—one needs for a variety of occasions, made in a variety of ways. Whether it’s post-work unwinding with colleagues, boozy brunches spent with friends, or evening parties, there’s a Hendrick’s Gin recipe for all kinds of special moments.
True to its refreshing nature, the gin is a must-have for thirst-quenching cocktails. Take the “Hendrick’s Gin & Tonic,” a simple recipe that anyone can make home. For one cool serving, start by combining 50 mL of Hendrick’s Original Gin and 150 mL of tonic water in a highball glass filled with cubed ice, then lightly stir the mixture before garnishing it with three thinly-sliced rounds of cucumber and voila: you have the grand empress of all summer refreshments that promises a cool reprieve from the Philippine heat and brings out the goodness of the gin’s cucumber essences.
Or, if you want to shake things up, try more ways of drinking the spirit through equally peculiar yet delicious cocktails like the French 75, which pairs perfectly with festive occasions. Known simply as the Soixante Quinze in France, it’s essentially a Tom Collins where the soda is replaced with champagne. For one serving, add 30 mL of Hendrick’s Original Gin, 10 mL of sugar syrup, 10 mL of lemon juice to a cocktail shaker, and ice to a cocktail shaker, then shake well. Afterwards, finely strain the mixture into a flute, then top with champagne and a garnish of sliced cucumber for an enticing cocktail that will have your guests coming back for more.
However you choose to drink it, Hendrick’s Gin offers the curiously refreshing and compelling flavors of a process that proves there’s much to be gained when one strays from the beaten path.
Visit https://www.hendricksgin.com/ or follow @hendricksgin on Instagram to learn more about the most unusual gin that inspires moments of delightful peculiarity.
Photos courtesy of Hendrick’s Gin.
