London’s love affair with gin shows no signs of stopping – and National Gin Week gives us more reason than ever to raise a glass. This special juniper-infused festival has been created around the global celebrations of World Gin Day on 9 June. If we needed further temptation to get involved, the capital’s leading bars will be mixing up delicious new gin cocktails, while retailers will be offering special deals on gin throughout June.
But with all this choice how do you find the gin that’s right for you? We suggest you pick a number…
No.3 Gin is inspired by three vibrant centuries of drinks history in the capital and a passion for producing the very finest quality drinks. Created by Berry Bros & Rudd, London’s oldest wine and spirit merchant, it takes its name from No.3 St James’s Street, the company’s address since 1698.
The vision behind No.3 Gin was simple: to create a gin that would set a new benchmark for quality, with a spirit so beautifully crafted that it could be used to create the perfect G&T, as well as making exquisite cocktails or even be enjoyed neat. Since its first release in 2010, No.3 Gin has won widespread praise from drinks experts and is the only brand to have been awarded the ‘Best in Class Trophy’ for gin three times at the International Spirits Challenge.
Presented in a high-shouldered green bottle reminiscent of the pontil style that was used to transport gin in the 17th century, and proudly adorned with a replica of the key to The Parlour at Berry Bros & Rudd, every bottle of No.3 Gin strikes a sartorial balance between gin-making tradition and modern elegance.
How it’s made
Inside the bottle you’ll find a classic London Dry Gin with exquisite balance of flavour and a smooth, full-bodied texture. It’s the result of three important factors: the unique recipe of botanicals, the quality of the ingredients and the painstaking production process for each batch, which takes place at Royal de Kuyper Distillers in Schiedam, Holland under the watchful eye of master craftsmen.
The recipe for No.3 Gin was created by a team of experts led by Dr David Clutton, the only person in the world with a PhD in gin. It uses three fruit botanicals: juniper berries, orange peel, grapefruit peel – and three spice botanicals: angelica root, coriander seeds and cardamom pods.
These six botanicals are procured from the best sources around the world to ensure the finest quality. They are carefully weighed according to the unique No.3 Gin recipe, then steeped overnight in a traditional copper pot still to release their flavours. There follows a slow and deliberate distillation process, which carefully eliminates any impurities in the spirit, while retaining the finest flavour attributes.
The end result is a gin in which all botanicals play their part in creating a unique taste experience. Distinctive juniper flavours and lively grapefruit zest are immediately evident when tasting, followed by delicate orange sweetness and subtle aromatic spice from the cardamom. Notes of fresh lemon and pepper from the coriander seeds lead to the dry finish created by angelica root.
Be Gin-spired…
Whether you prefer a classic, crisp G&T or a deliciously different cocktail, the No.3 Gin website, offers recipes and tips that are easy-to-follow and are designed to suit your own sense of adventure. If you prefer to experiment, an easy-to-use flavour wheel identifies the different ingredients that pair perfectly with the six botanicals in No.3 Gin.
To get started, why not take some tips from the experts? Pick up a bottle from Waitrose or Amazon to mix up your own No.3 & Tonic or visit any of the bars below where you can also try a range of bespoke cocktails created by some of London’s top bartenders – and find out why they love mixing with No.3 Gin.
Ace Hotel
3Six7
Glass: Nick & Nora
Garnish: Orange twist
Method: Put all of the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir well to mix. Strain into the glass.
40ml No.3 Gin
15ml sweet vermouth
7.5ml The King’s Ginger
2 dashes Angostura bitters
No.3 & Tonic
Glass: Large balloon wine glass
Garnish: Pink grapefruit slice and sprig of rosemary
Method: Take your wine glass (or a copa gin glass if you have it) and fill it two-thirds full with cubed ice. Pour in the gin and top with tonic.
50ml No.3 Gin
100ml Schweppes 1783 Crisp Tonic Water
Bar Américain at Brasserie Zedel
No.3 Aviation
Glass: Martini
Garnish: Cherry
Method: Put all of the ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake to mix, then double strain into the glass and garnish.
50ml No.3 Gin
15ml lemon juice
10ml maraschino
2.5ml crème de violette
The Trafalgar St James
Cloud 3
Glass: Flute
Garnish: Chamomile flower
Method: Put all of the ingredients except the sparkling wine in a shaker with ice. Shake to mix, then strain into a flute and top with sparkling wine.
50ml No.3 Gin
20ml elderflower cordial
20ml egg white
15ml cloudy apple juice
10ml lemon juice
Sparkling wine to top
Nelson’s Collins
Glass: Highball
Garnish: Raspberry and rosemary sprig.
Method: Put all of the ingredients except the tonic in a shaker with ice. Shake to mix, then strain into the glass. Top with tonic and garnish.
45ml No.3 Gin
15ml lemon juice
2 bsp berry purée
1 drop absinthe
The London Essence Co Grapefruit & Rosemary Tonic Water to top
Nuala
Dried Apple Highball
Glass: Highball
Garnish: Tarragon tincture
Method: Put all of the ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake to mix, then strain into the glass over ice and garnish.
40ml No.3 Gin
20ml lemon juice
15ml Allaborg Aquavit
15ml apple juice
15ml fino sherry
15ml orgeat syrup
10ml parsnip juice
5ml Suze
The Bloomsbury Club
Vanessa Bell
Glass: Nick & Nora
Garnish: Rosebud
Method: Put all of the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir well to mix. Strain into the glass and garnish.
40ml No.3 Gin
15ml Belsazar Dry
15ml homemade rosebud syrup
15ml homemade pink grapefruit shrub
10ml Cocci Americano