Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin

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Hendrick’s has been expanding its product line in recent years. First it was Orbium, now it’s Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin. The product is the design of Lesley Gracie, the woman behind Hendrick’s flagship gin.

Similar to Hendrick’s original, Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin has some post-distillation modifications. After distillation it is “infused with natural flavors and floral essences.” This is inclusive of the same natural flavors that are used in popular seltzer drinks like LaCroix, but also inclusive of anything added via post-distillation maceration.

Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin is a limited edition product, so assume that after summer 2019 it will become scarce. So Hendrick’s fans— get on it!

Tasting Notes

It’s sweet and slightly fruit-forward on the nose. Fans of bold floral gins like Brockman’s may catch some similarities here.

Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin begins with an aroma of raspberries, roses, natural strawberries and an indistinct “floral” aroma. It doesn’t suggest specific flowers as much as the ephemeral impression of flowers. This is similar to how an accord in perfume works. It seems as a single whole rather than its component parts.

On the palate, Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin is still generally floral/fruit forward, but the pine and juniper character— though mild— is here.

Lavender, strawberry and rose hips are early on the palate. Candied citrus rinds— especially sweet orange emerges as well.  Mid-palate, a spicy hint of sandalwood with juniper, pine facets showing hits the palate. The fruit notes become less berry like and drier. They take on the flavor of prickly pear fruit and dragonfruit.

The finish has gentle spice, mild pine and leaves the palate almost as fresh as if you just had one of those violet mint candy breath fresheners.

Cocktails

Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin is the upscale answer to the Pink Gin fad. Any drink that people have been enjoying with a pink fruity gin can easily swap in Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin and you’ll have a lovely floral gin and tonic or martini without the garish pink color.

I know that floral/fruit-forward gins have a lot of fans, but the overt pink hue might make drinkers self-conscious.

I think this has great mixing potential with citrus, as well as other floral, fruity gin drinks. Try a Tom CollinsGimlet or a delicious Gin Bramble.

Overall, Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin

If you like pink gin, but don’t like the pink— Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin should be on your on your ‘must try’ list.

Fans of juniper, or the less-contemporary-each-passing-day original Hendrick’s, will find this to be veering a little far into contemporary and ‘is this gin?’ territory.

This is a great gateway gin. If you still have a friend who hasn’t tried gin (in 2019?), this is a gin that you can pick up and show how varied and diverse the category is.

Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin is a fun and nicely made gin. Contemporary gin fans will want to try it, juniper-lovers may want to take a pass.

 

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12 thoughts on “Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin”

  1. Yes, the aroma is complex, but the floral note is not “indistinct”; to my nose, the specific dominant note is elderflower.

  2. I am a dog…..in nose and taste. So… definitely caught a finish of spice and smoke today. Silky, but there. The floral resurfaces later, too…silky smooth…even hours later. A well made, silky smooth gin. My lady loves the original, and luckily that’s what got her into enjoying a tipple with me.
    Bracken, mountain spring water, Scottish summer flowers and definitely definitely some spice, heat…and Yes…smoke. Try it. This stuff is good. Even the morning after.

  3. This is absolutely the gin of my dreams. For years I’ve been glamming up my gin and tonics with a splash of lavender bitters. Now, with their Summer Solstice edition, Hendrick’s has gone ahead and upped the floral without my help. For a gin and tonic, though, definitely be careful of the tonic you choose. A really strong or salty tonic will fight with this gin. Paired with Fever Tree’s Mediterranean Tonic water, though, it’s exquisite.

  4. Love a gin and tonic with a dash of lavender bitters. Great tip though with the Fever Tree Med. tonic water. That’s a fantastic pairing.
    Cheers,
    Aaron

  5. Picture this:

    a woman, naked, glistening, her lily white skin an ecstasy – she is lounging in her very public window 😈. You shouldn’t look; but you do… you do, and you’re life will be forever changed. That is what Hendrick’s Midsommar offers you : a titillating striptease of floral overtones and the sultry promise of a spicy summer day. A must buy for all those serious about their gin … and their women.

  6. I’ve been loving it in a Gin fizz (with egg white, grenadine, bitters, and a topping of club soda)…but it’s both seasonal/limited edition, and rather expensive. Do you have any recommended substitutes?

  7. Echoing the comments above, 2oz of this and half a bottle of Fevertree Mediterranean tonic is easily my favorite version of the drink. Ridiculously refreshing and tasty

  8. Mixing it in with some home-made lemonade (I’m an American, and I’ve heard that word means something different in the UK) is absolutely wonderful. I usually go a little bit more lemon than -ade, but other than that I don’t have a specific recipe. The floral notes just pair wonderfully with that sharp sweetness you get with fresh lemonade..