How Does Pink Gin Get Its Colour? Here’s The Secret — Decoded
Known for its blush pink colour that carries a very charming visual appeal, pink gin is often added to numerous cocktails for this very soft, light, glowy hue. But what makes the pink gin, pink, is a question that has many cocktail amateurs puzzled. Here’s a breakdown of how pink gin acquires its colour and the flavour versatility that these colourful infusions introduce into the spirit:
What exactly is pink gin?
Pink gin is a style of gin that is infused with natural botanicals, fruits or spices which lend this spirit its signature rosy tint. While classic dry gin is a clear, botanical spirit, pink gin is so designed that it is both visually striking and carries a lightly fruit-forward flavour.
Where does the pink in the pink gin come from?
The gin can acquire its colour from various sources. Some of these include:
– Fruity elements like strawberries, raspberries, cranberries and pomegranates.
– Botanicals such as hibiscuses, rose petals or pink peppercorns.
– Wine influences whereby some gins are infused with light hints of red wine or vermouth, for both, colour and flavour.
Does pink gin carry a flavour different from regular gin?
Yes. While pink gin remains juniper-forward, lending the spirit its gin-essential quality, the spirit leans towards fruitier and sweeter notes. Infusing berries or florals in gin adds this colour and flavour to it which makes the spirit slightly softer than the sharp flavours of a classic London Dry.
Is pink gin and the old ‘pink gin cocktail’ one and the same thing?
No! This is a common mix-up, but pink gin is entirely different from the cocktail variation. The classic Pink Gin cocktail would traditionally be a juniper-forward gin mixed with a few dashes of citrus bitters that lend the cocktail its pink blush.
The modern pink gin is a type of spirit itself which acquires its blush-pink hue because of the pink-coloured flavours or infusions used.
Also Read: 4 Pink Gin Cocktails You Can Easily Mix At Your Next House Party
Can pink gin be used in cocktails, and how?
As a simple serve, pink gin can be used with tonic water or soda and garnished with fresh berries to turn it into a simple highball. In classic cocktails, regular gin can be swapped with pink gin to craft blush coloured gins and tonics, spritzes or even negronis carrying a sweeter, fruitier edge. Pink gin also pairs wonderfully with sparkling wines or citrus juices in the making of fizzy sangria-style mixes with a sour, acidic quality.
Why has pink gin become popular in modern mixology?
One of the reasons for the rise of pink gin in mixology craft is its visual appeal. The drink carries a blush pink charm which makes its addition to cocktails utterly social media worthy. As well, the fruity profile of the spirit makes it an interesting flavour inclusion in cocktails too, making it appealing to new cocktail enthusiasts. Photogenic and thoroughly flavourful, it is no surprise then that pink gin-based cocktails are becoming popular alternatives in modern cocktail bars.
How do bartenders highlight the pink element in pink gin cocktails?
Some of the ways in which bartenders highlight the hue and flavours of pink gin-based cocktails are:
– Highlighting the pink colour of the gin using clear mixers such as tonic water or soda water.
– Incorporating contrasting garnishes such as limes, rosemary sprigs or mint leaves which make the pink colour and the floral or fruity flavours of the spirit more pronounced against the herbal or citrus backdrop.
– Layering the pink gin in spritzer-style cocktails to make the flavours of the gin come through.
Key Takeaways:
– Pink gin is often added to numerous cocktails for its very soft, light, glowy hue and its visually charming quality.
– The pink in the gin comes from fruity elements, botanical infusions and wine inclusions such as adding a touch of red wine to a crystal clear blend.
– Pink gin can be used to craft layered spritzers and highballs with a social media worthy blush hue and a fruity, botanical flavour.
FAQs:
– Where does pink gin acquire its signature pink colour from?
The gin can acquire its colour from various sources. This can be fruity elements like strawberries, raspberries, cranberries and pomegranates or botanicals like hibiscuses, rose petals or pink peppercorns. The pink can also be a result of wine influences like light hints of red wine or vermouth introduced into the cocktail.
– Why is pink gin becoming so popular in modern mixology?
Pink gin has an sweet-forward, slightly fruity flavour which makes pink gin cocktails interesting options for cocktail amateurs. Moreover, the drink carries a blush pink charm which makes its addition to cocktails utterly social media worthy — leading to the cocktail’s popularity.
– How do bartenders bring forth the pink element in cocktails?
The pink colour of the gin is highlighted using clear mixers such as tonic water or soda water. It can also be elevated by adding contrasting garnishes like rosemary or mint. And spritzers can be layered to make the blush pink colour pop.
All cocktails listed use 30 ml liquor measurements for single serves. Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
