WHAT OUR RESIDENT GIN EXPERT SAYS:

In their description for this gin, Ableforth's asks us "Thought you couldn't bottle summer?" to which I replied "Haven't you ever heard of a Pimms?"

That being said, they're certainly correct when they state that this is one of the most summery tasting gins out there. From the creators of one of my favourites, Bathtub Gin, comes the Summer Fruit Cup - a juicy combination of various fruits. They macerate and then "vacuum-distill" fresh strawberries, cucumber, orange and mint in order to create a perfect combination of ingredients that they then blend with Bathtub Gin, a mix of sweet Italian vermouths and more. There's a lot that goes into this, clearly.

Moving on to the gin itself - covered in Ableforth's signature paper and twine - uncorking reveals a scent with a massive depth to it. I could almost smell every ingredient I mentioned earlier separately, and yet they managed to combine themselves into new and intriguing ways - a hallmark of a fantastic beverage. I combined mine with lemonade (I used two parts lemonade to one part gin), but it's also recommended to use prosecco and a couple of other ingredients in a recipe included on the front of the bottle. Anyway, the Summer Fruit Cup has an incredible intensity - and yet despite its strong flavours, none of them are overpowering at all. The most prominent I could taste was strawberry, but mint and cucumber were present and added an extraordinarily refreshing undertone. Additionally, it left notes of strawberry, mint and orange in my mouth for quite a while after drinking - the finish was almost as good as the initial taste itself, something precious few gins can claim.

To conclude, if you're looking for a fruity beverage to drink during the summertime, or something exciting to remind you of brighter days during the winter, this gin is certain not to disappoint. A resounding 10/10 from me for being one of the best fruit combinations I've tried as yet.

If you're interested in the Bathtub Gin used to make the Summer Fruit Cup, you can check it out in our collection of Ableforth's Gins here.