W&H’s Botanic brand boasts as a botanical buddha’s hand, a variety of citrus sourced locally. It is also using it as a garnish. Fragmented in sections that look like fingers, the plant has a thick skin and only a small quantity of acidic pulp. No juice or seeds. Medina says it is very fragrant and not as bitter as other citruses, with a roundedness that is “incomparable to any other fruit”.
As to trends in botanicals and personalising G&Ts, Medina says: “More than a specific tendency to the botanicals we think the key is in finding which make your gin magical. In our case, we also offer the buddha’s hand in a vaporisateur.
“Many people have never heard of buddha’s hand so it’s an efficient and fun way to introduce them. We recommend using it as a finishing spray over a Botanic gin and tonic, just before serving. The aroma will linger on the surface and bring a wonderful sensation in the nose, thus preparing the brain for a fresh and balanced libation.
“You can spray it on the stem of your glass and your guest will enjoy the aroma on his hand after he has lifted his glass,” adds Medina.
So the G&T may be the El Cid of premium drinks in Spain but Brotons and Gonzalez Byass have adopted the tried and trusted tactic: “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” as regards these sweet, fruit-flavoured gins, which are arguably flavoured vodkas dressed up as gin. Hence Mom.
Could its strapline be prophetic? ‘God save the gin.’
