WHAT OUR RESIDENT GIN EXPERT SAYS:

To be brutally honest, I've never much been a fan of melon... anything. Melon sweets, melon drinks, nor plain old melon itself. So I went into this one expecting not to enjoy it that much, given my history with melon. But, to my surprise, this gin manages to break the mould - and I actually quite like it.

It comes from the Ampersand line of gins, owned by the legendary Spanish wine and spirits company Osbourne. The Spanish are known for their culinary delights, so it was no surprise to learn that they own such an exquisite brand. This bottle is no exception to their rule - a frosted glass design presents a great sensation of touch and of sight, and the emerald liquid held within looks just as pretty when it diffuses through the glass. I poured myself a small measure, just enough to taste, added in some of my favourite tonic water, and had a sip.

Everything I usually dislike about melon wasn't present. The gin has a smooth and sweet taste that freshens your palate, with hints of juniper to complement the melon's flavour. It was, quite simply, absolutely perfect as a summertime drink - I can only imagine the possibilities in using this as part of a fruity cocktail. It left me wanting more, a first for a melon beverage, and the initially small measure I had poured out quickly became a much larger one.

If you're after a melon gin in particular I can wholeheartedly recommend this one, and it's sure to be a delight no matter which way you use it. And if you're just looking for something fruity to drink this summer (or spring, autumn and winter, there's really no time I wouldn't recommend this) this would also be a fantastic choice to add to your gin collection.

You can see more of the fantastic Ampersand line here.