Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but Sicilian Lemons are the best in the world. Amalfi coast lemons are also the best in the world.
Lemons are serious business. I don’t want to get caught up in this sour rivalry*— Franklin and Sons Ltd. Sicilian Lemon Tonic as you might expect based on the same subscribes to the former. British Water + Sicilian Lemons + Ecuadorian Cinchona = Sicilian Lemon Tonic.
Tasting Notes
Lemonade on the nose. Franklin and Sons Ltd. Sicilian Lemon Tonic smells very sweet at first with a hint of pink lemonade. It’s more sweet lemon than bitter lemon at first whiff.
The carbonation of Franklin and Sons Ltd. Sicilian Lemon Tonic is medium in texture with good lasting power. The bubbles last a few seconds providing a very pleasant effervescence.
Sipped, it’s a little sweet at first, with a lot of lemon flavor. You’re getting the whole lemon here: lemon oil and lemon flesh.
It’s quite sweet mid-palate but the bitter part comes on later and nicely cuts into the lemonade notes. Lemon rind and quinine to save the day. Finishes about half dry and half sweet.
With gin, the sweetness is moderated. It reminds me a bit of a balanced Tom Collins with a pleasant bitterness. The lemon peel comes on late again. Finishes slightly off dry and very clean.
Overall
Lemon supremacy aside, Franklin and Sons Ltd. Sicilian Lemon Tonic is a really nice bitter lemon/lemon tonic. It’s frankly one of the best I’ve had. Certainly it’s a bit sweeter than most tonics and tonic waters; however it’s the flavor profile and the depth of lemon quality that makes Sicilian Lemon Tonic a winner with gin.
Combine it with a robust juniper-forward gin for a delicious lemon forward summer cocktail. Or refuse to take sides and be a modern day peacekeeper: mix it with Malfy Gin to prove that there’s room in a glass for both Sicilian and Amalfi coast lemons.
Recommended in its category.
*get it?