Bring a touch of elegance to your cocktail menu with the NB Distillery’s London Dry Citrus Vodka. With no additives, and no sweeteners, you’ll experience the pure, subtle citrus tones, which are sure to be a hit with all your fellow party-goers. This is no ordinary flavoured vodka, each bottle contains naturally blended botanicals to add those smooth, citrus notes - there’s no concentrated flavours to be found here.
We’ve got the cocktail recipes to make your summer gatherings a great hit. The unexpectedly dry and smooth Citrus Vodka makes the perfect base for many exquisite drinks, here are the top 5 recipes so you and yours can join in on the fun.
Add a bit of class and sophistication to your summer gatherings with this classic Citrus Vodka cocktail. The citrus vodka adds a new twist to the traditional cosmopolitan which will leave your family and friends wanting to know the secret behind the unique taste.
Ingredients: 15ml of Triple sec, 30ml Cranberry juice, 45ml of NB Citrus Vodka, 10ml Lime juice, ice and Orange zest or Lime for garnish.
Method
This simple Citrus Vodka cocktail recipe is the perfect cocktail to serve your guests. Experience the tangy punch of cointreau, with the freshness of clementines, topped off with your favourite bubbles. Great for any celebration.
Ingredients: 100ml of Cointreau, 6 Clementines juiced, 100ml of NB Citrus Vodka and 1 bottle of Prosecco, Cava or Champagne.
Method
This Citrus Vodka based cocktail recipe is a bit on the exotic side but is perfect for impressing your guests. If the presentation alone doesn't win them over, the taste will certainly do the trick.
Ingredients: 100ml of Blue Curacao, 100ml of NB Citrus Vodka, 1 Lemon (Juiced), 1 Orange (Juiced), 1 Lime (Juiced), 200ml of Soda water, ice, 8 Maraschino cherries and 1 tsp of the syrup.
Method
This lemon Citrus Vodka cocktail is perfect for the more sophisticated palette, with twists of sour lemon, sweet orange and sugar, this drink makes the ideal palate cleanser after a meal.
Ingredients: 50ml of NB Citrus Vodka, 25ml of Triple sec, 25ml of Lemon juice, 1 tbsp of White caster sugar, ice and Zest of half a Lemon.
Method
A slightly heavier take on a summer cocktail, this Citrus Vodka recipe is great for those who prefer a more savoury tasting drink, with one of your 5-a-day included.
Ingredients: 50ml of NB Citrus Vodka, 200ml Tomato juice, 2 tbsp Amontillado sherry, 1 tsp of Sherry vinegar, a pinch of Celery salt, Worcestershire sauce to taste, Tabasco to taste, squeeze of Lemon juice, a small handful of ice and a Celery stick to garnish.
Method
With all these unique gins, people are becoming more educated on flavour tones and what they want from their gin. At NB Distillery, we understand this and we consider all our enthusiasts gin connoisseurs. To help you to expand your knowledge of gin making, we would like to invite you to one of our GINSPIRATION tours. Our experts will give you a detailed tour of our gin stills and facilities, while giving you tasters of our award-winning gins along the way. You will get the chance to purchase a bottle of your favourite gin from the tour at your table.
The definition of a connoisseur is an ‘expert judge in the matter of taste’, which can be applied to gin tasting. Someone who is educated in gin drinking will be able to differentiate the subtle flavours of gin blends and knows what pairs well with the spirit. So a gin connoisseur is your best friend when it comes to knowing what gin cocktails to try. A gin connoisseur should be an encyclopedia when it comes to gin and will have a catalogue of gins in their repertoire to choose from.
However, the fun thing about this type of spirit is that anyone can be a gin connoisseur and you don’t have to be a part of an exclusive club to be one! We believe that everyone has the right to try all of the unique flavours that gin has to offer. So at NB Distillery, we offer you a variety of gins to try from, which include:
You can become a gin connoisseur by sourcing and purchasing a variety of gins, but we believe that going on a gin tasting tour of a distillery is a better way to sample a multitude of gins in a small amount of time.
At NB distillery, we offer a unique tour of our distilleries which will give you the chance to taste all the gins that we offer, but it also allows you to feel immersed in our picturesque seaside town of North Berwick. We believe that to be a gin connoisseur, is not just about tasting gin but is about immersing yourself in the area that the gin is distilled from and absorbing all the history that has gone into the distillation process. Often gin distilleries play a significant role in local history.
]]>To allow you to enjoy an alcoholic drink on a school night, we’ve come up with the perfect solution with our School Night (21% ABV) low alcohol gin based-spirit. This new low alcohol based spirit will allow you to enjoy your favourite alcoholic beverage without risking drinking to much. We believe that you should be able to enjoy your favourite drinks in moderation. For those who are environmentally conscious, our low alcohol spirit uses a fully recyclable and unique cardboard frugal bottle which is a sustainable alternative to a traditional glass bottle. The packaging is made from 94% recyclable paperboard, the perfect addition to our sustainable distillery.
You may be thinking, surely a low alcohol gin doesn’t taste as good? This is far from the truth as our School Night is every bit as delicious as our award-winning World’s Best London Dry Gin, but with 50% less alcohol! This means that you can enjoy a low alcohol version of your favourite drink. A low alcohol gin alternative is great for those who don't drink much or for people who want to enjoy our signature taste in moderation. It enables you to enjoy your favourite drinks without experiencing the side effects of drinking too much as well. It’s also favoured by those who like to settle down to a refreshing gin and tonic in the sunshine on a Tuesday evening.
If you are parents, you know how stressful it can be doing the school run or getting your little ones to bed. It’s even worse if you have had little sleep. You might like to relieve stress by pouring yourself an low alcohol based gin. Our School Night (21% ABV ) is the perfect mixer for your favourite cocktails. In addition, when you buy a bottle of our School Night gin-based spirit, you are buying a drink that uses 94% recycled paperboard. We offer you a low alcohol and sustainable way of having a mid-week drink.
However, at NB Distillery we would like you to stick to these school rules if you are enjoying our low alcohol gin:
We recommend you book our expert tour of NB Distillery to taste the passion that goes into every bottle that is distilled in our stills. We won’t just give you a tour, but we will let you taste our signature gin’s giving you the opportunity to try something new or get a free sample of an old favourite. If you love what you are tasting, we will give you the opportunity to buy any of the spirits you taste throughout the tour.
The spirits you can buy include NB london dry gin and NB navy strength gin – both a pure, clear, uncompromised grain spirit at 42% ABV and 57% ABV respectively; the result of an exacting process that’s been perfected and bottled to become recognised as the best London dry gin the world in 2015. Or our limited edition NB samphire gin – an elegant and complex gin with subtle hints of green tea, a warmth of ginger and vibrant citrus.
Scotland has a rich history in distilling gin and our distilling houses can be traced back to the 18th Century, which makes us experts at what we do. At NB Distillery, we try to infuse the history of Scotland’s gin-making heritage into every bottle we sell and you can learn more about the history of gin on our tasting tour. We will guide you through every part of the distillation process, giving you facts about how it all started and what distilling gin in Scotland means to us. There are many long-established brands of gin in Scotland and we are relatively new to the scene, so you will get a unique insight into a distillery that is family run and innovating the gin making industry.
The landscape in Scotland is pretty spectacular on all fronts. From the beautiful lochs to the dramatic mountains, it’s a stunning place to take a gin tasting tour. We also have some unique cities that are rich in history and culture too. If you like rugged coastlines, we suggest that you come and visit our distillery in North Berwick. From rolling waves of the north sea in the winter to turquoise waters in the summer, NB Distillery is just a stone's throw away from some of the most pristine coastlines in the U.K. This adds to the tour as we encourage you to explore the area and experience our seaside town.
It’s the people at NB Distillery that make our gin and gin tasting tours so special. We’ve assembled a team of like-minded distilling enthusiasts to help us create the finest gins that Scotland has to offer. Their energy and commitment to crafting the finest gins can be seen in our tours and they are like encyclopaedias when it comes to gin distilling in Scotland. Our experts will give you a unique journey through NB Distillery’s history and they will give you a one of the kind experience. This is an opportunity to understand the process of making your favourite gin.
]]>This is a classic cocktail for people who don’t drink rum as it blends fruity summer rum with iconic Caribbean flavours.
Ingredients: 175ml of fresh orange juice, 75ml fresh lime juice, 150ml of NB light fruity rum, 50ml sugar syrup, a small amount of grenadine, small amount of angostura bitters, ice cubes, grated nutmeg, 2 slices of orange, cherries to garnish.
Method
For coconut lovers, this drink is for you. If your guests who don’t drink rum liked our rum punch recipe, this is guaranteed to be a winner.
Ingredients: 500ml of pineapple juice, 500ml of mango juice, 250ml of NB light fruity rum, 250ml of coconut milk, sliced pineapple and limes on skewers.
Method
A fruity summer rum cocktail that is made to wow your taste buds. If your guests don’t like rum, this recipe will change their minds.
Ingredients: 8-10 raspberries, 1 lime cut in segments, 2 mint leaves, ice, 100ml of NB light fruity rum, sparkling water.
Method
Everyone loves a daiquiri, so why not try a watermelon daiquiri this summer. A watermelon daiquiri makes the perfect cocktail for all your guests.
Ingredients: Ice, 50ml of NB light fruity rum, 25ml of watermelon liqueur, 10ml of lime juice. 100mg of watermelon, watermelon wedges.
Method
Bring the beach to your party with this tropical pina colada recipe. Perfect for sharing.
Ingredients: 120ml of pineapple juice, 60ml of NB light fruity rum, 60ml of coconut cream and a wedge of pineapple.
Method
As a part of this trend to source products to their place of origin, has seen the rise of the distillery tour. You are spoilt for choice in Scotland, as some of the oldest distilling houses throughout the country have opened their doors to give you a glimpse into the distilling process. We are fairly new to the Scottish gin distillery scene but are making huge strides in offering you the finest selection of gins on the market. To give you a taste of how we make our award-winning gin, we offer our successful NB Distillery GINSPIRATION TOUR.
It’s all down to the quality of our gin. We offer a range of gins that have been expertly crafted to showcase some of the finest ingredients that are on offer in Scotland. Quality is our number one priority and NB Distillery ensures that our gins reach 42 percent ABV or 57% ABV for our Navy strength, so we only offer spirits that are of the highest quality. A testament to our commitment to quality is that our NB London dry gin was selected in celebration of the Queen's 90th Birthday and featured in Prince Harry and Meghan’s Wedding Album.
The quality we add to our spirits goes into our gin tour Scotland as well. We give you the opportunity to taste our finest gins, vodka and rums throughout your stay and take you on a leisurely tour of our luxury facilities with our experts, who will go through the steep history of gin distilling in Scotland. We like to give you plenty of tasters along the way. All drinks that you will try will be available to purchase at your table.
We like getting visitors excited for their tour, so here is a breakdown of what to expect from your upcoming gin distillery tour:
We hope to see you soon at NB Distillery. Order your ticket today.
]]>We're opening the doors to all gin connoisseurs to give you a peek into where your favourite gin is distilled. As a part of our 1-30 minute Ginspiration tour, you will be expertly guided through our facilities and get the chance to taste our variety of different spirits. We offer you the opportunity to try some of the world’s best gins, rums and vodkas. Our tour is perfect for a group of friends looking to reunite and if you book 8 people you will have the place to yourselves! It’s truly a ginspiration all evening. If you are looking to organise a tour for you and your friends, book our Ginspiration tour today.
NB Distillery Ginspiration Distillery Tour
We’ve opened our doors again and we can’t wait to see all your lovely faces. Our gin distillery tours have resumed since 29/05/21 and the theme of the tour is Mask: Tour: Taste: Buy, it’s as simple as that. If you're interested in buying tickets but want a breakdown of what will be involved with our gin distillery tour, here are a few details to get you started:
COVID-19 Prevention
The health and safety of our guests is important to us, especially in these times. We’ve put all the necessary measures in place to protect you and your party from COVID-19. You will see throughout the gin tasting tour numerous hand sanitiser stations that use our own NBM hand sanitiser. The measures we have taken are as follows:
How To Get To NB Distillery
So you’ve booked your gin distillery tour and are now ready to plan your journey. NB Distillery is based in North Berwick, not too far from Edinburgh. If you are travelling by car, you can find us by:
Coming from North Berwick on A198 : After Tantallon castle take next right turn signposted Halfland Barns. After 200 meters take a left turn into the industrial estate.
Pass North Berwick Garage and Jerba Campervans and we are at the end of the road.
Coming from Dunbar on the A198 : After the entrance to Seacliff Beach, pass Auldhame Cottages on the right and after 100 meters carry straight on at the next sharp right-hand bend, signposted Halfland Barns. After 200 meters take a left turn into the industrial estate.
Pass North Berwick Garage and Jerba Campervans and we are at the end of the road.
Other Transport Links:
North Berwick station (3.6 miles)
X5 East Coast Buses (4.0 miles)
A2B Taxis 01620 89 5000
]]>The Garden Party Gin Set
A BBQ might not be a garden party, but you can still recreate the vibes of the occasion with our The Garden Party Gin Set. Gin is the perfect alcoholic beverage for a BBQ, because of its versatility and is the key component of many popular summer cocktails. It’s the perfect gift for any BBQ out of lockdown and the garden party gin set contains:
If you fancy something a bit fancier, you can use our NB Gin from your garden party gin set to create a summer cocktail. If you need some inspiration, take a look at our previous spring cocktail blog.
Ginsolation Pack
If you expect to be hosting a lot of guests at your next BBQ, you might want to choose one of our party packs that can make you more than a few gin and tonics for your family and friends. We have the perfect gift pack for you with our ginsolation pack. The pack contains:
NB Bloody Mary Pack
Fancy a bloody mary with your out of lockdown BBQ? At NB Distillery, we love our bloody marys and we offer an NB bloody mary pack that contains:
The History
Rum has an interesting history as it has been traded as a commodity for centuries and is entwined with Britain's naval past. The spirit has a royal origin and was brought from India to Europe by Peter I of Cyprus as a gift for his royal dignitaries at the Congress of Kraków, held in 1364. So since the Middle Ages, people have been enjoying the spirit. In British history, it is synonymous with our naval past as gallons of rum used to be consumed on ships, because it was often cleaner than water at the time. The sailors of these boats used to mix it with beer to make Grog, which used to make the sailors quite merry.
Rum has a dark past too as it was often associated with privateering and used to help fund the exploits of some of the most famous pirates, including Black Beard and Scotland’s own Captain William Kidd. There has been illicit trading of alcohol throughout the ages, but it was the pirates of the Caribbean which have made rum so famous (or infamous) in popular culture. Now in recent years, we’ve created spiced rum. It still maintains the history of rum but infuses the spices of the southern hemisphere and it is a greater mixer for many of our beloved modern cocktails.
Spiced Rum Cocktails
Has all this talk about spiced rum made you thirsty for a spiced rum cocktail? If it has, takes a look at our three favourite spiced cocktails for you to try:
Rum Mule
Ingredients: NB Distillery Spiced Rum, 1oz of freshly squeezed lime, half-inch thick muddled ginger (enough to fill the bottom of the cocktail shaker) and 1oz of ginger ale.
To prepare: Add muddled ginger to the cocktail shaker, add 2oz of NB Distillery Spiced Rum and 1oz of lime juice. Add crushed ice and shake. Then pour into a glass filled with ice. Add the ginger ale if preferred.
Jamaican Rum Punch
Ingredients:1 part NB Distillery Spiced Rum, 1 part freshly squeezed lime, 1 part sugar syrup or grenadine, 1 part mixture of pineapple and orange juice.
To prepare: Mix all the ingredients in a glass, add ice if you want to be ice cool. Put it in a punch bowl if you want to share it with all your friendly scallywags.
Piñacolada
Ingredients: 2oz NB Distillery Spiced Rum, 2oz coconut cream and 6oz fresh pineapple juice.
To prepare: Blend all the ingredients with crushed ice, pour contents into a glass and add a pineapple garnish if you are feeling fancy.
NB Distillery 2021 World Drink Awards Winner Spiced Rum
NB Spiced Rum is the only true Caribbean double retort still outside the Caribbean and our full-bodied golden rum is spiced with cloves, orange, cinnamon and pepper. The result is a delightful and sophisticated spiced rum with a beautiful balance of spices.
On tasting, the superb balance of spice is revealed. The smokey molasses quickly gives way to creamy orange, subtle cloves and the warmth of cinnamon and pepper. This is definitely a ‘ Spiced Rum for grown-ups ‘, as one visitor commented.
]]>What garnish to choose for your cocktails?
Cocktails are a versatile way of enjoying your favourite gins, vodkas, whiskeys and rums. They offer you a wide selection of flavours that are only restricted by your own imagination. Cocktail garnishes are no different and offer the same flavour freedom as your cocktails. Cocktail garnishes complement cocktails well because they can add subtle taste notes to the cocktail, but also can transform your cocktail creation into a piece of art. Cocktails are ideal for vegans as well, as the majority of the ingredients are free from animal products. So if you are hosting a party you will be able to cater to everyone's tastes.
Here at NB Distillery, we love our cocktail garnishes and here are some of our favourites for you to try:
How to dry and store your cocktail garnishes
Once you’ve chosen your garnish and prepared it, you will need to store it if you aren’t going to use it straight away. This is the easy part. What you will need to do to store your garnishes is similar to drying fruit, so you will need to store your garnish in a sealed glass jar, biscuit tin or freezer bag and keep it in a cool place like a cupboard or pantry. This should keep your garnishes fresh for up to 3-4 weeks.
]]>Rhubarb Gin
Very simple, but delicious at this time of the year. This recipe requires minimal efforts to create the ultimate taste of rhubarb infused gin. Here is a quick recipe to help you create rhubarb gin:
INGREDIENTS: Rhubarb, NB Distillery London Dry or Samphire gin and Sugar.
Rhubarb Tom Collins
Both sweet and tart, this recipe creates sweet notes that are similar to rhubarb-apple crumble or strawberry-rhubarb pie. A perfect drink for those warm spring days. Here is a quick recipe to help you create a rhubarb Tom Collins:
INGREDIENTS: 1 rhubarb stalk, half a cup of sugar, 2oz NB Distillery London Dry or Samphire gin, 1oz lemon juice and 2-4oz of champagne or soda water.
Rhubarb Gin Sour
Sour cocktails can be made with any spirit, but we recommend that you use rhubarb gin especially in the spring months. It’s a great way to use up any spare rhubarb you have laying around. Here is a quick recipe to help you create a rhubarb gin sour:
INGREDIENTS: 50ml NB Distillery London Dry or Samphire gin, 30ml rhubarb syrup, 25ml lemon juice, 1 tbsp egg white and a Small piece of rhubarb or a lemon twist to garnish.
Rhubarb syrup INGREDIENTS: 200g chopped rhubarb, 150ml water and 150g sugar
Gin and Grapefruit
Moving away from rhubarb, another simple but tasty cocktail recipe is gin mixed with grapefruit. The sour notes of grapefruit blend well with the staunch taste of NB Distillery’s London Dry and Samphire gin to create a refreshing alcoholic beverage. Here is a quick recipe to help you create a gin and grapefruit cocktail:
INGREDIENTS: 30ml of NB Distillery’s London Dry or Samphire gin, grapefruit juice and sliced grapefruit
Elderflower Gin Fizz
This is the perfect cocktail to get you ready for the summer weather. Here is a quick recipe to help you create an Elderflower Gin Fizz:
INGREDIENTS: NB Distillery’s London Dry or Samphire gin, 30ml elderflower liqueur, 30ml lemon juice, sparkling wine and lemon curls
With lockdown restrictions easing and businesses beginning to reopen, it’s time for you and your friends to plan a tour of a Scottish distillery. If this is something that tickles your fancy, you’ve come to the right place. Scotland is home to some of the best distilleries in the world and you are spoilt for choice in Alba. Many of the best distilleries across Scotland provide expertly guided tours led by some of the finest spirit makers there is to offer. Booking a tour around a distillery will allow you and your friends to have a look around Scotland’s traditional but technologically advanced distilleries. You will also get the chance to taste award-winning spirits and many distilleries even offer accommodation as a part of the tour package. We highly recommend you book a trip today.
The Best Gin Distillery in Scotland?
NB Distillery, North Berwick:
If you are looking for an artisan gin distillery that is emerging as one of the finest distilleries in Scotland, you should take a tour of NB Distillery. One of the newer distilleries in Scotland, visit Scotlands 5 Star Award winning NB Distillery is making strides in the gin, vodka and rum business. Starting from humble beginnings in a home kitchen, they have progressed to owning their purpose-built, eco-friendly distillery and visitor centre that is based on the outskirts of town. The tour consists of a detailed look around NB distillery where their expert distiller and tour guides will share many stories, about the history and triumphs of perfecting their world-famous NB London Dry Gin, Vodka and Rum. You will also get the chance to taste the famous NB Family of spirits for yourself. Gloria, their, copper still produces their award-winning gins including NB Classic London Dry Gin, NB Navy Strength Gin and NB limited edition Samphire along with their London dry Vodka ( first in the world when it was first produced) and a wonderful addition came along in 2018 3 Rums made in their bespoke Double Retort Rum Still.
If you wish to contact NB Distillery to arrange a tour, don't hesitate and contact them today.
If you want to extend your tour to visit a whiskey distillery or brewery, you are spoilt for choice in Scotland. Scotland has a plethora of whiskey distilleries and breweries that are steeped in local tradition. Scotland also has a new generation of producers that are disrupting the market with their unique blends and high-quality spirits and beers.
One of the Best Whisky Distilleries in Scotland
Glenkinchie Distillery, East Lothian:
Established in 1825, Glenkinchie Distillery in Tranent has been distilling the famous Johnnie Walker Edinburgh malt whisky which is enjoyed all around the world. The vision of the distillery is to maintain the traditional craftsmanship that produces its unique lowland whisky flavour (fragrant flowers, dried cut grass and nutty cereal). Located in the legendary Glenkinchie region, Glenkinchie distillery offers a variety of tour packages that will give you a taste of the Johnnie Walker flavour. From their ‘Glenkinchie Flavour Journey’ to whisky food pairing, there is a range of things to experience at the distillery. Also, Glenkinchie Distillery is passionate about sustainability and you can take a look for yourself at their efforts with a ‘Whisky in the Wild’ tour.
Fancy a Tour of a Scottish Brewery?
Belhaven Brewery, East Lothian:
Once you’ve finished with Glenkinchie Distillery, you can take a visit to Belhaven Brewery in Dunbar. The oldest brewery in Scotland and possibly the UK, the Dunbar region have been brewing ale since the time of the Benedictine Monks, nearly 800 years ago. A lot of changes have happened since the first pint was brewed in 1719, but Belhaven has always focused on the quality of its ale. They offer a tour that reflects the pride and history of the Dunbar brewhouse. This will give you a chance to taste the famous Belhaven Brewery ales produced in the region which also includes beers, IPAs, stouts, pilsners and lagers.
]]>What is London Dry Gin?
To make it clear to the first time London Dry Gin drinker, London Dry Gin doesn’t have to be distilled in London. It has been known for the spirit to be brewed all around the world with many varieties being produced in places like South Africa. The reason it has been named after the capital is because of EU regulation. That said, the standard of the Gin is usually compared to the London Dry Gin makers in London because the historic streets of the capital is where the oldest and finest Gins have been produced. NB Distillery’s London Dry Gin is a bit of a celebrity in the Gin industry and has London’s seal of approval because it was voted the Best London Dry Gin in the world. It’s fame has extended to the Royal family as the London Dry Gin was represented on two separate occasions; her majesty's 90th birthday and more recently, Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding.
Why is Gin called London Dry?
London Dry Gin name is not determined by the location but by its proof. The spirit is known for its 70% ABV and it can only be watered down to a minimum strength of 37.5% ABV. London Dry Gin is known for its quality and for a Gin to be described as ‘London Dry’, it must not contain any artificial ingredients, only a small amount of sweetener and cannot have any flavour added after distillation. However, this doesn’t hinder the taste as London Dry Gin can still be infused with the traditional flavours including juniper, citrus and botanicals. NB Distillery’s London Dry Gin contains earthy notes- exactly what a Scottish Gin should taste like. This is a flagship product for the UK and people keep returning to the spirit because it offers a high-quality taste experience without compromising on taste.
How to drink London Dry Gin?
For the puritan Gin Lover, the only way to drink your London Dry Gin is neat. There are many advantages of drinking high-quality London Dry Gin neat as you will be able to taste the subtle juniper, citrus and juniper notes that the spirit offers. It will also allow you to appreciate the attention to detail the distiller has taken to achieve the taste that you are experiencing. It usually takes years of refinement to achieve the flavour of London Dry Gin. Another way to drink your Gin is to play with the temperature of the spirit. Freezing London Dry Gin will change the texture of the spirit and when it warms it will release its taste profile.
What to mix with London Dry Gin?
If you do decide to mix your London Dry Gin, you can mix your Gin with Tonic Water or Coke. If you want a more fruity taste, a popular mixer is San Pellegrino. London Dry Gin is popular with cocktail drinkers as it blends well with a variety of mixers. Blending London Dry Gin with Martini is very popular at the moment.
If you want to learn more about London Dry Gin, why not order one of our Ginoslation Pack. Contact us today.
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What is Navy Strength Gin?
Navy Strength Gin is a high proof Gin that would put hairs on the chest of even the hardiest of seamen. The spirit is known for its purity and with its mixture of locally sourced grains, it makes for the perfect mixer or for the Gin purist a perfect evening tipple. ‘Navy Strength Gin’ was invented in the 18th Century and it played a significant role in Naval history. Favoured by the British Navy, it gave the crew a safe drinking option and was used to wash down the foul-tasting (believe it or not) quinine that sailors had to take to prevent scurvy! The merchants would sail into port and the Naval officers would test the strength of the Navy gin by pouring it into gunpowder and if it ignited the gunpowder, it was the correct strength and the merchants were paid. If it didn’t ignite the gunpowder the merchants were sent packing with no money! It also prevented damage to gunpowder, as the high proof did not react with the black gunpowder stored on ships unless you poured it onto the gunpowder and lit a match!
Why is it called Navy Strength Gin?
The phrase ‘Navy Strength’ is used for Gins that are above 57% ABV which gives the Gin a staunch taste and unlike London Dry Gin, the flavour is creamier with a fuller flavour. Navy Strength Gin is having somewhat of a renaissance in recent years and people are choosing it because the flavour is smooth enough to perfectly blend with cocktails and has been satisfying the British for hundreds of years.
What is the best Navy Strength Gin in the UK?
Scotland is well known for its Navy Strength Gins and it is currently the home of some of the finest distilleries in all of the UK, if not the world. There are many family-run distilleries in Scotland producing high-quality Gin and one company that is leading the way is NB Distillery. Steve and Viv Muir started small in the Gin business as they began their journey by experimenting with distilling in their home using Viv’s mum's pressure cooker and some old copper central heating pipes. Forward a few years, they have a globally recognised brand that is pioneering spirit making. They have perfected their own Navy Strength Gin recipe and use custom-built distilleries made to their exact specifications by the world’s oldest and most revered still makers. Their Navy Strength Gin won a gold medal in The Global Gin Masters awards. Read more about NB Distillery success story.
NB Distillery collection
NB Distillery is not just known for their Navy Strength Gin, they have a range of different Gin’s that cater for every taste palette on the market. In their portfolio, they have a very popular Classic 42% ABV London Dry Gin which has been recognised as the best London Dry Gin in the world. It was even selected for the Queen’s 90th birthday celebration and is featured in the celebratory book that was produced. They also stock a very limited edition Sapphire Gin that is elegant and complex in flavour. It’s a tasty blend of green tea, ginger and vibrant citrus flavours; it makes the perfect gift for any Gin lover. Find out more about NB Distillery’s range of Gins and other spirits.
]]>If you are a gin lover and want to learn more about the heritage of NB Distillery and the story behind our gin, what better way to learn than from the producer first hand? We want to keep spreading our knowledge about NB gin and give you a fun and educational live NB experience to get through the rest of lockdown. The Ginsolation Virtual Live Tour can be easily ordered online for only £48.50. Our Ginsolation Tour Pack includes everything you need to recreate a fun gin-tasting experience at home.
First of all, you will need a world-class gin, unlike any others you’ve ever tried. Our NB London Dry Gin was voted Best London Dry Gin in the world. It has also been selected by the Royal family to represent two separate occasions; her majesty's 90th birthday and more recently, Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding. Now, if that isn’t proof it’s the best gin in the world… During the virtual gin tasting tour, you will be tasting our NB London Dry Gin neat, as well as making a delicious Gin and Tonic or two…. or three! . For this, you will receive four Bon-accord tonics and one pack of non-alcoholic, lemon-flavoured stirrers. Everything you will need for the perfect serve.
But that isn’t all. In your Ginsolation Tour Pack, you will find one pipette for tasting, an NBM hand and surface sanitiser created at our distillery, a link to the virtual tour and tasting live from NB Distillery, and a unique code that will grant you a 15% discount of all NB products valid for one week after your tour
The Ginsolation Tour Pack not only comes with the best London Dry Gin in the world, but an interactive zoom live where you will gain more knowledge about the gin itself, learn more about our NB Distillery and its history, and have the opportunity to ask any questions you have about gin. With our ambition and passion for gin and our brand, we are determined to enrich our (online) visitor’s knowledge about the history and the making of gin. We may even do a wee quiz at the end to test your ginology! A virtual gin tasting tour at NB Distillery is not only fun and delicious but also educational!
Of course, we cannot wait for the day when we can finally open our doors for visitors again and welcome you face to face for a tour. There’s nothing like the real experience! If you’re interested in our Gin Distillery Tours, you can start now by doing your research and planning your trip. After lockdown ends, we cannot wait to welcome you back into our Distillery. Until then, stay safe and ginjoy!
Love Viv and Steve Muir
Xx
]]>North Berwick is a beautiful seaside town situated in East Lothian, Scotland. Just 30 minutes away from the grand city of Edinburgh, North Berwick is a natural sanctuary with coastal scenes and idyllic beaches to explore. Being so close to the sea, North Berwick boasts a host of quirky shops, fish and chip restaurants and ice cream parlours to try.
North Berwick is the perfect destination with unique shops, boat trips, wildlife and even Gin Tasting Tours to experience. So what are the activities that a trip to North Berwick would be lost without?
We might be a little biased here, but you cannot visit North Berwick without a trip to our NB Distillery and experience one of the gin tasting tours. When you visit us for a Ginspiration Tour you will be able to relax, unwind, explore and sample our award winning spirits. When you arrive you will be offered a selection of NB Distillery’s spirits to sample, as well as a drink of your choice to help you really unwind.
Have you ever been curious as to how our world class gin was made? During your Ginspiration Tour you will be taken on a tour and learn about the London Dry process and hear the story of how our gin came into fruition.
The Scottish Seabird Centre is a must-do if you are visiting North Berwick. Situated right by the seaside, you will have the opportunity to learn about the local marine wildlife and how they fit in with Scotland's ecosystem. With interactive cameras, you will also be able to zoom in on the seabirds and witness their beauty for yourself. If you are visiting North Berwick during the summer season, you can even take a boat trip to get even closer to Scotland's breathtaking wildlife. Definitely something to keep an eye out for!
Just five minutes from our distillery! Part of North Berwick's history is Tantallon Castle. Originally home to Red Douglas dynasty, it was then besieged by James V and James IV and then eventually destroyed by the troops of Oliver Cromwell in 1651. This visit will give you the perfect opportunity to learn more about its rich history with the help of preserved artefacts.
During your visit to Tantallon Castle you will be able to ascend the steps to the top of the castle where you can take in the breathtaking views of the Bass Rock and witness gannets plunging into the North Sea. You will also be able to descend down the steps into a prison! Learning about its nail biting past should definitely be added to your list of things to do in North Berwick.
For all the aviation lovers out there, the National Museum of Flight will be another highlight of your trip to North Berwick. During your visit you will be able to learn about the World War’s, explore UK’s only surviving Boeing 707, see inside Concorde, board a Comet, discover the history of East Fortune Airfield and make a pit stop at their on-site cafe. Top tip: There are often events going on at the museum, so it is always worth checking in advance to book tickets!
If you are spending some time in the North Berwick after visiting the NB Distillery or perhaps the Tantallon Castle and looking for somewhere to grab a light lunch, the Steampunk Coffee Shop is famous for its unique decor and delicious food. When you visit for breakfast you will be spoilt for choices with dishes such as homemade granola, locally made Julie’s Jams, toast with homemade cashew butter, filled toasted croissants and savoury muffins. Or perhaps their lunch menu will tempt. How does homemade fresh soup or an oozing grilled cheese sandwich sound? A visit to North Berwick really wouldn’t be complete without at least popping in for a hot cup of coffee and a slice of cake. You will literally be tasting what North Berwick has to offer with all of their local produce on offer.
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Delivered directly from our distillery and now available in restricted numbers, our Limited-Edition NB Samphire has been distilled using hand-picked marsh samphire from the coastal areas of East Lothian. Vibrant citrus flavours and ginger compliment subtle tones of green tea to create a light and contemporary London Dry Gin which marries deliciously its elegance and complexity to deliver the most exquisite of experiences.
Why Visit NB Distillery
NB Distillery has a promise to quality, which is felt with each and every facet of the business from the spirits to the staff to the tours which we offer. Voted one of the top 100 brands by Rolls Royce, NB Distillery are not only the home of the new Samphire Gin, we’re also the creators of the world’s best London dry gin. The new golden rum is also an incredible addition to the family of spirits which now includes 3 types of gin, 2 rum and a delicious citrus Vodka. Hailing from modest roots which involved a pressure cooker and some old central heating pipes, NB Distillery have expanded with admirers from near and far, we now operate production and luxury experience tours from our purpose build, eco-friendly distillery which is based on the outskirts of our town.
What makes our gin special?
Our samphire gin continues our legacy of fine gin and represents our values of creating luxury, unique and exclusive beverages. It is born from our heritage NB London Dry Gin, the only drinks brand featured in celebration of the Queen’s 90th Birthday and presented as part of the wedding album of Prince Harry and Meghan.
Refined and recognised as the best London Dry Gin in the world, it was voted as such in 2015. Its editorial fit has also led to its inclusion at afterparties for The Open and The Brits on three consecutive occasions.
Other ways of enjoying NB Samphire Gin
NB Samphire Gin can be ordered here from the website, however why not try one of our distillery tours to experience all that we have to offer? Less than an hour’s drive from Edinburgh in the heart of Scotland, we provide fascinating tours designed to cater for a variety of different needs. These are separated into the following options:
Not only does the Taster Tour offer the chance to taste our unique Samphire Gin and our other world class spirits, but it also gives customers the opportunity to experience all of the facilities we have to offer and learn about how we create our products.
Having an event or bringing a group? The Private Dining Experience could be for you, guaranteeing beautifully prepared dishes by our local caterers who use locally sourced ingredients from the East Lothian larder. We also offer a range of set menus, as well as canapés and drinks menus, however, if these choices don’t meet your needs we are also happy to create a bespoke menu to suit your requirements.
If you are an expert in the field then the Connoisseur Tour offers a unique 2-hour experience which involves an unparalleled insight into the production process of the different spirits, a full tasting of our gins, vodka and our new rum while a drink of your choice will be provided to accompany the canapés prepared by our chef.
Each one of these options is tailored to the visitor and welcomes you to an environment of learning, sampling and relaxation regardless of prior knowledge or expectation.
Check out our Samphire gin, as well as our other spirits at https://nbdistillery.com/pages/our-spirits
]]>With the fastest growing spirit in terms of popularity, the demand for gin distillery tours, tasting experiences and workshops is growing exponentially. For distillers and gin enthusiasts alike, the heritage of the brand and the story of the gin plays an important part in the enjoyment of the drink and allows for a stronger connection between the drinker of the gin and the gin itself.
The best place to learn about a gin is from the producer first hand. With hundreds of distilleries now open in the UK, the chances are that if you’re a gin lover then you may be considering a gin distillery tour this summer. Distilleries come with their own little niches and styles, varying between place to place. However, once you’ve decided which tour is the one for you, there are some hints and tips which can ensure you make the most of it. We’ve created this guide to help you to prepare for your distillery tour, wherever it may be.
Before booking a distillery tour, make sure you do your research. This will involve looking at when the tours are open, how long they last, where they are and what kind of experiences they have to offer. A distillery with a large tourist income, for example, may be open to visitors on more days than one in a rural area. Some distilleries also operate special events, so it’s best to check out their social media to get the most up to date calendar. Websites often provide more overall information but are rarely updated with the latest events so keep this in mind.
Many distilleries do now offer food, outside of the tour, but not all. Make sure you have checked the start and end times of the tour, as well as the food they have available. If the distillery does not serve food, then make sure to research somewhere on route or close by where you can stop to purchase some.
Also make sure to plan how you will be travelling to and from the distillery tour. Most tours now include a small number of free samples so make sure that you are aware of public transport links from the distillery or at least know the number for a local taxi company.
Find out what kinds of tours the gin distillery has to offer. Many distilleries offer different packages to different types of customers so ensure you know what you’re booking before you do so. For example, NB Distillery offer a Connoisseur Tour, Taster Tour and Fine Dining Experience, each providing a different experience to customers. To find out more about the gin distillery tours which we have on offer visit https://nbdistillery.com/pages/book-a-tour
Gin distillery tours tend to focus on three facets of information in their tours: the history of the gin, where it comes from and how it is produced. This often involves a large amount of data which is generally very interesting, so make sure that you turn up to your tour in the correct mindset to learn a lot.
As mentioned, distillery tours usually involve tasting sessions or portions, therefore turning up already inebriated is not only disrespectful to your guide but will stop you being able to enjoy the taste sections to the same degree. Most distilleries also sell the gin which they produce, so save the leisurely drinking for after the tour.
The main intention for distillery tours is to teach, therefore there is no question too basic or silly for you to ask. Tour guides generally pride themselves on knowing a huge amount of their gins and tend to be extremely passionate about them too. Asking questions is the best way for you to improve your knowledge, as well as making the experience more interesting for your guide.
If you’ve had a good time on your distillery tour and have learnt loads of wonderful things about your favourite gin, then post about it on social media and tag the business. Pictures (if permitted) are great as they let your friends and family know about the tour and what to expect. Businesses tend to find this information very useful too, as they are able to view their tours through the eyes of their customers and can therefore make adjustments if needed.
We’re not suggesting you buy the entire distillery but if you see something you like then buy it. Distilleries often house limited or special editions of their gins which you’d be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Purchasing directly from the distillery can provide you with a memento from the tour, as well as supporting the distillery directly.
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