Botanical: Bergamot

The bergamot is a sour citrus fruit, resembling an orange but tasting a bit like a lemon. The fruit is best known for its oil which is one of the secrets behind the intoxicating aroma of Early Grey Tea. Across Europe, it’s also popular as a marmalade and chewing tobacco flavoring.

The aroma is mostly citrusy and lemony at first, but it has an added herbaceous and balsamic character. Bergamot is surprisingly uncommon in gins, though some gins that only say “orange or “citrus” have a distinct bergamot note. Because their oil is so valued, the fruits are quite expensive.