The liquid has been created by master distiller Lesley Gracie and according to Hendrick’s global brand ambassador Ally Martin, the new launch aims to make absinthe more approachable in cocktails.
“We want it to be used by the most creative bartenders in the best bars around the world. We’ve kept the liquid clear and used a moderate 48% abv to rid the modern perception of absinthe, which has barely evolved in recent years.”
Just 4,000 bottles have been made and will be distributed among some of the most respected and awarded bars around the UK at first.
Martin added: “Hendrick’s Absinthe is our way of giving this spirited group something new to play with that has the same quality credentials and inventiveness they have come to expect from Hendrick’s.
“The world has moved on a lot since the heyday of absinthe and it’s high time for this spirit to once again find its home in the heart of creativity, in some of the world’s best bars. We’ve reimagined absinthe as an incredibly complex, unique and interesting spirit. Not one to be feared for its strength but to be used as a core component of today’s array of contemporary, refreshing cocktails”.
Hendrick’s Absinthe is distilled with wormwood, star anise, juniper, yarrow, elderflower, neroli oil, orange distillate, rose and cucumber at the Hendrick’s Gin Palace in Girvan, Scotland.
|
“Absinthe is really a cousin to gin, in that it is a botanically flavoured spirit, just with a different palette of botanicals to play with,” said Gracie.
“For me star anise has always had star quality, I’ve been playing with its magical flavours in the background for years and felt there is now enough curiosity and desire to explore new dimensions within drinks to release our absinthe experiment to the world.
“I’ve added the rose and cucumber we put into Hendrick’s gin - the rose adds a floral element and the cucumber a fresh dimension, which you don’t necessarily expect from an absinthe.”
Hendrick’s Absinthe signature serves include Absinthe & Tonic and Absinthe & Ginger Ale and the product comes with a RRP £40.
