When you don’t really watch reality television but still vividly remember first being introduced to Spencer Matthews on Made in Chelsea, you are totally allowed to squeal a little bit when you’re invited to the launch of his new low abv gin, right? Well that is exactly what happened a few weeks ago when Spencer was in Manchester to introduce us to The Clean Liquor Company, and specifically Clean Gin.
Spencer explained that his relationship with alcohol has changed and he has now in fact, been sober for over 18 months. He was keen to develop a drink that wasn’t boring and looked the same as what alcohol drinking friends were enjoying in a bar. There are times when I have been driving so find myself drinking copious amounts of diet coke and, no matter how much of a diet coke addict I am, there is only so many glasses I can cope with on a night out. Before now I have gone home early because I have been so bored of drinking it so I can totally understand how people who choose not to drink must feel in similar situations.
At 1.7% abv, you would have to drink 30 G&T’s made with Clean Gin before you reached anywhere near the amount of alcohol that you find in a generic alcoholic G&T. At just 4 calories per 50ml serve, no sugar and no sweeteners it is also a great option compared to sugary fruit mocktails that you may gravitate towards when not drinking alcohol.
It is made in a similar way to regular gin in copper stills with juniper, orris root, cardamom and peppermint, as just some of the botanicals that create the final product. The result is a juniper heavy drink that stands up well to tonic and a sprig of mint brings out the freshness really well. It doesn’t feel dissimilar to drinking an alcoholic gin and tonic either, which is a real bonus.
Thanks to the strong flavour, it also works really well in cocktails and I tried a Clean Cobbler with Clean Gin, elderflower cordial, mint and lemon. It was so refreshing and something I would happily drink when I don’t want alcohol. There is also talk of a pink gin, a rum and a bourbon….
At £25 a bottle it is cheaper than other brands on the market and definitely a contender in the taste stakes. You can get yours in Sainsburys.
I was invited to the launch of Clean Gin as a guest.
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