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2 months ago
Plus: the capital's top No.3 Gin hotspots
What do you look for when choosing a bottle of gin? Perhaps you’re lured in by a beautiful design? Maybe you’re all about the botanicals? Or do you look for a style that works well in cocktails? Well, No.3 Gin offers all of the above – hence why it’s such a popular choice for at-home bar trolleys. But it’s also the gin of choice for bartenders, who are won over by its premium quality. Since its launch back in 2010, following years of development by London’s oldest wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros & Rudd, No.3 Gin has developed a sparkling reputation, scooping up the coveted World’s Best Gin award four times at the International Spirits Challenge (ISC).
No surprise: the spirit was created by a group of gin aficionados including Dr. David Clutton, the only person in the world to have a PhD in gin. It all began in 2008 when Berry Bros & Rudd’s former chairman Simon Berry had a vision: to create the perfect London Dry Gin, a style of gin produced in accordance with certain specifications set out by the British government. Despite the name, it doesn’t need to be produced in London: instead London Dry Gin is made using a specific distilling method, known for its refined, juniper-forward flavour profile. As Holland is the birthplace of gin, No.3 decided to partner with leading Dutch distiller Royal De Kuyper, a historic, family-owned company based in Schiedam – and the rest is history.
A perfectly balanced blend of juniper, citrus and spice, No.3 Gin is renowned for its smooth texture, which makes it the perfect choice for mixing cocktails. The C&TH team can attest to this: our social media editor Daniella Laxton recently spent an afternoon mixing up some of the signature serves, and was impressed by the clean, crisp taste. ‘I particularly loved how refreshing the Basil Spritz was,’ she said. ‘The sparkles make it feel somewhat celebratory and it’s super easy to make!’
Keen to give it a try yourself? Below, we share four of No.3 Gin’s top recipes, which you can create in your own kitchen or enjoy in one of the many bars serving No.3 Gin across London.
The No.3 Gin Spritz, a sparkling cocktail originally hailing from Venice, has become synonymous with the aperitivo moment. This variation on the slightly sweeter classic sees No.3 Gin combined with fresh lemon, a touch of sugar syrup and fragrant basil, before topping with sparkling wine and a splash of soda.
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The No.3 Martini is an iconic cocktail made with a good measure of No.3, a splash of vermouth and stirred down over ice to create the perfect balance. This unrivalled classic is always delightful, whether enjoyed in one of the capital’s top hotels, or at home in the company of great friends. Garnish as you like it, with a lemon twist or an olive for the perfect finishing touch. ‘A classic cocktail that never fails to delight the senses,’ says Daniella. ‘I love No. 3’s take on the martini – and the lemon twist made me feel like a real cocktail connoisseur.’
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The No.3 Negroni is a bittersweet symphony loved the world over. Heralding from northern Italy, this marrying of the vermouth’s bitter notes with No.3 Gin’s juniper, citrus, and spice, makes for the perfect pre or post dinner drink. ‘No.3’s Gin complements this cocktail so well – it’s absolutely delicious and a real all-year-rounder,’ Daniella describes.
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Introducing the No.3 French 75: a cocktail born in the beautiful city of Paris. This drink sees No.3 Gin shaken (or stirred) with lemon and sugar syrup before being topped with champagne for that sparkling finishing touch. Refreshing and citrusy with a dash of fizz, it’s perfect for toasting those special moments. ‘This is such an elegant cocktail,’ says Daniella. ‘It’s the perfect serve for a dinner party, this delightful drink feels special and celebratory. Anything with fizz gets my vote!’
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Find out more and shop online at no3gin.com
