Food

Lavender and Elderflower Floral Gins

Lavender and elderflower gins

Mason's and elderflower gin

Regular readers of my blog will know I love a gin and tonic, from the time I sampled the local gin at Slingsby’s in Harrogate to the creation of a simple gin bar in the corner of my kitchen.

It’s a top drink and I love how popular it has become; it’s coincided with the rise in independent “boutique” gin distilleries in the UK and I recently read that exports of the good stuff have risen by more than a third in five years.

This increase in demand and choice is brilliant news for the gin lover and now there are so many brands and flavours to try and discover.

I was recently sent two bottles of floral gins to try from the online seller 31Dover, to coincide with Chelsea Flower Show at the end of last month. The first was a Yorkshire gin – perfect for a Yorkshire girl like me – Masons Lavender Edition, and the second was an Elderflower liqueur which I’ve tried before from Edinburgh Gins.

Gin and tonic with lavender from above

Lavender and elderflower gins
Both have a really light and delicate flavour, perfect for a little evening sundowner in the garden amongst your own plants and flowers!

The description of the Masons is that it has lavender notes with the aroma of fennel, a hint of anise and a little spice of pine and juniper. This makes me very excited as I love any gin with a strong juniper taste and also anything with lavender gets my vote. The 31Dover website suggests trying it in a cocktail but I started by sampling it on its own with tonic, with a few sprigs of lavender cut from my front garden. It was so easy to drink and light tasting, I absolutely loved it.

The elderflower gin is described as having hints of pear, peach and grapefruit zest alongside Scottish elderflower, and it really is a lovely drink. I think even non-gin drinkers would appreciate this one as it doesn’t have a strong gin taste but rather a floral light feel to it.

Flowers close up http://rainbeaubelle.com

I’ve tried the elderflower gin on its own, with tonic and mixed with the Masons, and all three ways are really good! Both are so light and refreshing and would be great for an early evening drink before dinner. Very English country garden!

The people at 31Dover are offering you a chance to win a bottle of elderflower gin, just fill out the form below. UK entrants only I’m afraid due to postage.

Good luck – and cheers!

x Julia

Limited edition Mason's Lavender Gin http://rainbeaubelle.com

Mason's Lavender Gin http://rainbeaubelle.com

Flowers in the garden http//rainbeaubelle.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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69 Comments

  • Reply
    laura banks
    June 4, 2017 at 8:02 pm

    my sons dad makes a damson gin every year for xmas which is very nice

  • Reply
    Tracy Nixon
    June 4, 2017 at 8:53 pm

    I hhave not tried the 31Dover Gin but often get brought back a bottle of Hendrick’s Gin when my parents go over to their holiday home on the Isle of Arran, Scotland!

  • Reply
    Solange
    June 4, 2017 at 11:58 pm

    I love Bombay Sapphire.

  • Reply
    Sophie Parry
    June 5, 2017 at 7:42 pm

    Ooo…we are HUGE gin lovers. Edinburgh is our favourite closely followed by Jinzu! Lovely post and competition

  • Reply
    Anthony Harrington
    June 5, 2017 at 9:01 pm

    my Son-in-Law is the gin drinker, he likes Dry London Gin but is starting to discover different craft gins

  • Reply
    Sarah Christie
    June 5, 2017 at 9:38 pm

    Ooh Lavender Gin sounds interesting my favourite cocktail is Lavender Daiquiri so I think I would love it, my fave gin is silent pool so far our of all the gins I have tried x

  • Reply
    Gemma Holland
    June 8, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    I love any sort of gin! There’s a lovely gin bar not far away from me which is amazing! I recently tried Aldi’s gin which was very nice!

  • Reply
    frances hopkins
    June 9, 2017 at 9:21 am

    Not sure really, but this sounds lovely – perfect for the summer

  • Reply
    Eileen Sumner
    June 10, 2017 at 8:40 am

    Like to try different gins

  • Reply
    Sharon Morrison
    June 10, 2017 at 8:42 am

    Bombay Saphire or homemade sloe gin

  • Reply
    Sarah Cooper
    June 10, 2017 at 9:52 am

    Damson gin

  • Reply
    iain maciver
    June 10, 2017 at 11:36 am

    our local harris gin

  • Reply
    LYNN HEATH
    June 10, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    We had some pink grapefruit gin from the ely gin company at Christmas and it was lovely

  • Reply
    Michael Cunniffe
    June 10, 2017 at 3:04 pm

    Lavender sounds different

  • Reply
    MANDY DOHERTY
    June 10, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    Bombay Sapphire

  • Reply
    Leanne Hansell
    June 10, 2017 at 7:02 pm

    My favourite is Damson Gin.

  • Reply
    Alan Burrows
    June 10, 2017 at 7:51 pm

    BOMBAY SAPPHIRE

  • Reply
    laura stewart
    June 10, 2017 at 8:51 pm

    sloe gin x

  • Reply
    Susan Smith
    June 10, 2017 at 9:01 pm

    Sloe Gin for me, up to now

  • Reply
    Sheri Darby
    June 10, 2017 at 10:08 pm

    Sloe Gin

  • Reply
    Rebecca Nisbet
    June 10, 2017 at 10:50 pm

    iv only just started getting in to gin, not sure if i have a favourite yet.

  • Reply
    Abigail Cullen
    June 10, 2017 at 11:35 pm

    Bombay Sapphire gin.

  • Reply
    Elizabeth
    June 11, 2017 at 12:16 am

    Bombay Sapphire.

  • Reply
    Beccy Rowley
    June 11, 2017 at 7:47 am

    I love Bombay Sapphire

  • Reply
    Hali Kinson
    June 11, 2017 at 8:12 am

    Sloe gin is my favourite but would love to try this gin

  • Reply
    Pam Smith
    June 11, 2017 at 9:03 am

    Rhubarb Gin, its delicious

  • Reply
    Graham Ross
    June 11, 2017 at 11:49 am

    Damson gin

  • Reply
    Robert Price
    June 11, 2017 at 12:42 pm

    Bombay saphire

  • Reply
    Danielle Pooley
    June 11, 2017 at 1:33 pm

    My fiance likes Bombay sapphire

  • Reply
    Sheena Batey
    June 11, 2017 at 1:47 pm

    Old Tom and not just because it has a picture of a cat on the front though that is a bonus.

  • Reply
    carole n
    June 11, 2017 at 1:54 pm

    Usually have regular gin, but would love to try something different

  • Reply
    carole n
    June 11, 2017 at 1:54 pm

    Usually have regular gin, but would love to try something different

  • Reply
    Katie Wood
    June 11, 2017 at 4:45 pm

    Bombay Saphire

  • Reply
    Lorna Ledger
    June 12, 2017 at 7:58 am

    I love home made sloe gin! But I also love a really crisp gin! You’ve made me want a G&T now and it’s only 8am 😉

  • Reply
    T Brailey
    June 12, 2017 at 8:54 am

    I usually have Dry London Gin

  • Reply
    Natalie White
    June 12, 2017 at 10:09 am

    I like Hendricks but with lime not cucumber! 🙂

  • Reply
    Kate B
    June 12, 2017 at 10:22 am

    We’re big fans of Hendricks Gin with a slice of lime and dash of elderflower…delicious!

  • Reply
    Clair
    June 12, 2017 at 11:26 am

    Edinburgh Gin is my favourite… I love the rhubarb and ginger!

  • Reply
    Laura Whittle
    June 12, 2017 at 11:31 am

    Bombay Saphire

  • Reply
    Kelly Hanson
    June 12, 2017 at 1:27 pm

    I usually just stick with Gordons, but I would love to try a flavoured gin.

  • Reply
    Jade Pawley
    June 12, 2017 at 9:07 pm

    I love Bombay Sapphire!

  • Reply
    Gwyn Sharps
    June 12, 2017 at 9:30 pm

    I like Bombay Sapphire

  • Reply
    Nicole
    June 13, 2017 at 5:22 pm

    Eldeflower gin is already my favourite!

  • Reply
    carol boffey
    June 13, 2017 at 6:43 pm

    i love damson gin

  • Reply
    chris overett
    June 13, 2017 at 6:48 pm

    Bombay Saphire love all things gin

  • Reply
    christine WESTLAKE
    June 13, 2017 at 8:11 pm

    plymouth gin

  • Reply
    donna l jones
    June 13, 2017 at 8:38 pm

    I love Bombay Sapphire.

  • Reply
    JULIE WARD
    June 13, 2017 at 9:53 pm

    This would be for D-i-L, she drinks normal gin and tonic, with ice and lemon or course

  • Reply
    Lauren Old
    June 14, 2017 at 8:19 am

    Mine would be Tarquins

  • Reply
    rachael mccadden
    June 14, 2017 at 10:10 am

    I love Bombay Sapphire.

  • Reply
    Teresa sheldon
    June 14, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    I do like a nice sloe gin, warms the cockles of the heart

  • Reply
    Lottie Storey
    June 14, 2017 at 6:42 pm

    I can only pick one?! I loved the Liverpool gin when I tried it x

  • Reply
    Chris Fletcher
    June 14, 2017 at 7:39 pm

    I tried some Rhubarb and ginger gin earlier this year and it was delicious!

  • Reply
    Emma Middleton
    June 14, 2017 at 7:56 pm

    Bombay sapphire

  • Reply
    Katrina Bruni
    June 14, 2017 at 9:13 pm

    Henricks, Bombay Sapphire and a locally produced one to Tring Campfire. This looks amazing though – entered!! FAB prize and post lovely lady xxx

  • Reply
    Amy Dacre
    June 14, 2017 at 10:25 pm

    To be loyal it has to be Bombay Sapphire as the distillery is about 30mins away (and you should go, it’s beautiful!)

  • Reply
    Ann Skamarauskas
    June 15, 2017 at 5:11 am

    Edinburgh gin

  • Reply
    Geoff Hibbert
    June 15, 2017 at 9:17 am

    Plymouth gin – closely followed by Tanqueray

  • Reply
    Becky Daniels
    June 15, 2017 at 11:08 am

    Lavender gin is my new favourite!!

  • Reply
    Allan Wilson
    June 15, 2017 at 12:11 pm

    I’m quite partial to Sipsmiths Gin

  • Reply
    Ben Robb
    June 15, 2017 at 12:32 pm

    Tanqueray Gin

  • Reply
    Julie Baxter
    June 15, 2017 at 12:59 pm

    Bombay Sapphire is lovely

  • Reply
    Michelle Wild
    June 15, 2017 at 1:41 pm

    The one they make in Sunderland, can’t think of its name.

  • Reply
    Sarah Carter
    June 15, 2017 at 3:12 pm

    I absolutely love Sacred Christmas Pudding Gin its amazing and tastes like Christmas Pudding

  • Reply
    Natasha Cross
    June 15, 2017 at 3:44 pm

    Sloe gin is my favourite!

  • Reply
    Kim Neville
    June 15, 2017 at 6:12 pm

    We like Dry London Gin

  • Reply
    alice lightning
    June 15, 2017 at 9:16 pm

    gordons gin is usually my tipple orange and ice delicious

  • Reply
    Carol Phile
    June 15, 2017 at 9:18 pm

    I’ve never tried gin. This looks like a good place to start

  • Reply
    Natalie Crossan
    June 15, 2017 at 11:22 pm

    Bombay sapphire xxx

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