As the festive season rolls around, it’s important to dream—especially in a year like 2020. While we can’t yet travel to picturesque spots with pristine beaches and sun-drenched lagoons, we can certainly relish intimate moments with our closest crew in our own little escape.
This is what Hendrick’s limited-edition gin, the Midsummer Solstice, reminds me of. I’m seated in a perfectly cool room filled with blooms in rich blues and purples in Singapore, sipping on Midsummer Solstice, and feeling like I could be in a charming garden in Europe. Compared to Hendrick’s original style gin, the Midsummer Solstice is deeply floral, packed with a bright juniper and hidden undertones of orange blossom and exotic ripeness. It’s a delightful twist on your usual bottle, if you will, and pairs beautifully with citrus notes such as grapefruit and lemon.
At the Girvan distillery in Scotland, Hendrick’s master distiller, Lesley Gracie, dug into her sacred flavour library, named “Cabinet of Curiosities”. It is in this space where she keeps her most experimental and treasured liquids, where magic comes alive, and where its first release in the Midsummer Solstice was born. According to Gracie, the aromatic liquid is her latest expression in a long line of innovations to come.
Typically, the midsummer solstice is the longest day of the year and happens in June—a mark of moving away from the winter months into the spring and summer months. Different countries have varying rituals, but it often involves song, dance and an act of leaving negativity behind.
“We hope to bring some summer cheer with Midsummer Solstice as we toast to new beginnings in the months ahead,” says Charmaine Thio, regional brand ambassador for Hendrick’s Gin Southeast Asia. “Just like a holiday romance, Midsummer Solstice is a poetic expression of temporality; we hope you get to taste the beauty of summer’s blooms before it fades away.”
These sleek purple bottles won’t be around forever, either. Designed as a small batch release, once they’ve flown off shelves, they won’t be coming back so it’s time to savour the versatility of your new favourite gin. Below, Hendrick’s has dreamed up a cocktail recipe using Midsummer Solstice, just for Vogue readers.
The Blooms & The Bees
Ingredients
45ml Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice
60ml Coconut Water
15ml Honey
15ml Lemon Juice
4 Blue Pea Flowers
Instructions
1. Place the blue pea flowers in 100ml of hot water to make Blue Pea Flower Tea. Steep for five minutes then remove flowers and allow to cool.
2. Combine the rest of the ingredients into a highball/wine glass and mix until honey is properly incorporated.
3. Add ice.
4. Slowly pour 45ml of Blue Pea Flower Tea over the ice so the tea creates a layer of purple.
Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice is available at Grab Mart, William Grant & Sons LazMall and iShopChangi. Alternatively, head down to your preferred bar—full list of bars available on @hendricksginsea for their own rendition of the exquisite gin.
