SUMMER BERRIES GIN & TONIC WITH DARTINGTON CRYSTAL

I should probably make it clear from the start that I’m a gin convert. I didn’t really know what the fuss was about until I got introduced to Napue, a Finnish Award Winning Gin, last year. I was holidaying in Finland when a very good friend of mine insisted that I tried the Finnish gin (it has won quite a few awards and the Finns are very proud of it as you can tell!) I wasn’t a big gin fan at the time so I didn’t really have high hopes for it. But guess what? I actually loved it. In fact, I loved it so much that I even brought a bottle home with me and I’ve been telling everyone about it ever since.
When Dartington Crystal launched their new Gin Connoisseur collection, I knew this was a collaboration I couldn’t miss out on. Their timing was perfect as I had just literally discovered gin. I decided to go for their tumbler style gin glasses since I knew they’d be super versatile. Also, I had just recently read somewhere that big glasses can enhance the taste of gin. A bowl shaped glass will apparently help open up the flavours of the gin and the bigger the glass, the more ingredients you can add.  The tumbler style is probably the most versatile of them all because you can easily use them as a whisky glass or with any other short cocktail. I was actually surprised how big the glasses were. They are the perfect size for gin and are very comfortable to hold thanks to the bowl shape. The quality also feels superb, but then again I knew this already as I already have some glasses from Dartington Crystal. The glasses feel quite thin around the edges (they are fine crystal) so I would never place them in a dishwasher, although they are dishwasher safe. I prefer to clean my crystal glasses by hand and then dry them with a glass towel. The tumbler glasses are also engravable which make them ideal gifts for birthdays, anniversaries or weddings.

Here’s my favourite summer gin cocktail recipe..

SUMMER BERRIES GIN & TONICIngredients for 1 cocktail2 oz of Gin
150 ml Tonic Water
6-8 Ice Cubes
1 Table Spoon of Frozen Summer Berries (mix of strawberries, redcurrant, raspberries, blackcurrant, blueberries)
Fresh Thyme


How to Make1. Place the ice in the glass (almost to the top).

2. Pour the gin over the ice.

3. Add the frozen berries to the gin. Try not to stir too much at this stage.

4. Pour in the tonic water and gently stir with a straw.

5. Garnish with some fresh thyme.

I prefer to use only few ingredients so that you can really taste the gin. You could also add mint, lime or even syrup to add extra flavour. Personally I feel that an award winning gin like Napue doesn’t need any ‘extras’. I always mix the gin with a good quality tonic like Fever-Tree or Schweppes Slimlime tonic too. Trust me, it makes a big difference!

I also love using pretty serving trays when we are entertaining. I usually serve some nibbles too with the gin. Roasted almonds go incredibly well with a dry gin. Pairing drinks with food is part of the fun, isn’t it?

I’d love to know what is your favourite gin recipe? Do you like to keep it simple or do you like to get more creative with your cocktails?  

* This post is in collaboration with Dartington Crystal.