Sip #5 2025

The Gin

Hi Reader,
This week, our celebration journey continues across iconic gin regions that have shaped the global landscape. 🌟 Today, we spotlight Cambodia 🇰🇭—a country where wild flavors and rich traditions meet modern distilling to create truly unique gins. Cambodian distillers are crafting spirits that capture the essence of the Mekong. Let’s explore this aromatic world of gin! 🥂

Here's what’s on this week’s menu:

Gin of the Week: Gins of Cambodia 🇰🇭
Story: Flavors from the wild 🌳
Masterclass: Distillation 🧪
Cocktail for the week: Khmer Basil Smash 🍃
Community Spotlight: Boozy Clementine 🧁
Bazaar: February Events 🗓️

Gins of the Week: Gins of Cambodia 🇰🇭

Cambodia’s gin distillers are bringing a fresh perspective to craft spirits by using ingredients found in the country’s rich landscape. With botanicals like lemongrass, pandan, Khmer basil, and Battambang oranges, these gins highlight the natural flavors of the region while embracing modern distillation techniques. The result is a collection of gins that are bright, aromatic, and full of character.

If you want to explore some incredible gins from Cambodia, here are five unique picks that showcase the country’s bold flavors and craftsmanship! 🇰🇭🍸

Seekers Mekong Dry Gin 🌿🍊
Flavor Profile: Infused with 11 native botanicals like lemongrass, pandan, Khmer basil, Battambang green oranges, and Asian lime leaves, this gin is aromatic, full-bodied, and packed with Cambodian essence.
Why Try It? A true taste of Cambodia’s terroir—perfect for those who love bold, regionally inspired gins!
Jason Kong Butterfly Pea Gin 💜✨
Flavor Profile: Infused with butterfly pea flowers, this gin changes color from blue to pink when mixed with citrus! It’s floral, slightly sweet, and beautifully balanced with classic gin botanicals.
Why Try It? A stunning visual and flavorful experience—perfect for creative cocktails and Instagram-worthy drinks! 📸🍹
Seekers Mekong Gold Gin 🏆🥃
Flavor Profile: An aged version of the original Mekong Dry Gin, adding deeper richness, complexity, and a smooth finish.
Why Try It? A must-try for fans of aged spirits—rich, flavorful, and packed with Cambodian character.
Herbal Kulen Gin 🌿🪴
Flavor Profile: Distilled using organic botanicals from the medicinal forest gardens of Kulen Mountain, this gin is earthy, herbal, and full of spice.
Why Try It? A one-of-a-kind gin that brings the richness of Cambodia’s natural landscape straight to your glass.
MAWSIM Tropical Citrus Gin 🍊🌴
Flavor Profile: Bursting with exotic tropical botanicals, this gin delivers a fresh, zesty, and well-balanced citrus experience. Why Try It? If you love a refreshing, fruity gin that embodies the vibrancy of Southeast Asia, this one’s for you!

These Cambodian gins offer a world of unique flavors, blending tradition with innovation. Which one are you excited to try first? 🍸🇰🇭 #GinLovers #CambodianGin #CraftGin

Read about the story of Cambodian Flavors from the wild 🌳 NEXT👇

Bold botanicals and backstage tours: Inside Cambodia’s first gin distillery

Story: Flavors from the wild 🌳

Not long ago, Cambodia wasn’t a country you’d associate with gin. But that changed in 2018 when two passionate entrepreneurs, Marco Julia Eggert, and Tania Unsworth, saw an opportunity hidden in plain sight—the incredible wealth of local botanicals growing across Cambodia’s lush landscapes.

Their journey began in Phnom Penh, where they founded Seekers Spirits, determined to create a gin that would capture the essence of the Mekong region. But to make something truly special, they knew they had to look beyond the traditional gin recipe. That’s where master distiller Alfie Amayo came in. Together, they set off on an adventure through local markets and remote farms, meeting farmers and discovering ingredients that had never been used in gin before.

They gathered lemongrass, pandan, Khmer basil, Battambang green oranges, and Asian lime leaves—flavors taken straight from Cambodia’s wild and vibrant nature. The result was a gin unlike any other: full-bodied, aromatic, and bursting with the fresh, tropical notes of Cambodia. When you take a sip, you’re transported to the vibrant streets of Phnom Penh or the tranquil waters of the Mekong River.

What started as an ambitious idea quickly grew into something much bigger. Seekers Mekong Dry Gin, handcrafted with 11 native botanicals, became Cambodia’s top-selling premium gin. But more importantly, it sparked something new—a movement within the country’s spirits industry. Other distillers began to embrace local flavors, and suddenly, Cambodian gin wasn’t just a niche product—it was making waves on the global stage.

Today, Cambodian gins are celebrated for their distinctive flavors and cultural authenticity. What began as a simple idea—using local ingredients to craft a gin with a true sense of place—has transformed Cambodia into an exciting new destination for gin lovers. And it all started with an adventure into the wild. 🍸🇰🇭

NEXT, Check out the Masterclass on Distillation 🧪 👇

Masterclass: Distillation 🧪

Gin is one of the most fascinating spirits in the world, known for its crisp botanical flavors and smooth versatility. But have you ever wondered what makes some gins “purer” than others? Or why some are less likely to leave you with a hangover? The answer lies in distillation—the process of purifying alcohol while infusing it with flavors. Let’s break it down in a simple way!

What is Distillation? 🔬🔥 Distillation is the process of heating a liquid to create vapor and then cooling it to collect the purified liquid. In gin-making, this means removing impurities while capturing the essence of botanicals like juniper, citrus, and spices. The number of times a gin is distilled, and the method used, plays a huge role in its smoothness and purity.

The Different Types of Gin Distillation 🏭

Single Distillation – The Basic Method Some gins are distilled only once, usually in large continuous stills that produce alcohol on an industrial scale. This method is efficient but can leave behind impurities unless filtered properly. Lower-quality gins often use this method and add artificial flavors instead of distilling real botanicals.
Double & Triple Distillation – Cleaner and Smoother High-quality gins are often distilled twice or three times to remove impurities. The first distillation cleans up the base spirit, while the second or third distillation is where botanicals are infused. The result? A smoother, more refined gin with fewer unwanted compounds.
London Dry Distillation – The Purest Standard 🇬🇧 London Dry gin is known for its strict rules: all flavors must come from distillation, and no artificial sweeteners or colors are allowed. This makes it one of the cleanest and “purest” gins available. If you’re looking for a gin with no additives, this is your best bet!
Column Distillation – The Ultra-Pure Process Some premium gins use column stills, which refine alcohol to 98% purity before diluting it to drinking strength. This method removes almost all impurities, creating a neutral and ultra-clean base spirit before infusing botanicals.

Bonus
How to Choose a “Pure” Gin with Less Hangover Risk 🤕🚫 If you want to enjoy gin without feeling terrible the next day, here’s what to look for:
✅ Choose London Dry gins – No artificial additives, just pure botanical flavors.
✅ Go for multiple-distilled gins – The more times it’s distilled, the cleaner it is.
✅ Avoid aged or heavily flavored gins – Barrel aging and artificial infusions can introduce extra compounds.
✅ Hydrate well – No matter how pure your gin is, dehydration is still the biggest cause of hangovers.

Checkout our Cocktail for the week Khmer Basil Smash 🍃👇

Cocktail for the week: Khmer Basil Smash 🍃

One of the standout Cambodian gin-based cocktails is the Khmer Basil Smash, which highlights the fresh, aromatic flavors of local Khmer basil. Here's how you can make it:

Ingredients:

50ml Dry Gin
25ml fresh lime juice
25ml simple syrup
A generous handful of fresh Khmer basil leaves

Instructions:

In a cocktail shaker, muddle the fresh Khmer basil leaves gently to release their aromatic oils.
Add the Seekers Mekong Dry Gin, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until well-chilled.
Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil to enhance the presentation and aroma.

This cocktail packs a bright and zesty experience, with the vibrant basil complementing the gin's notes. It's a refreshing choice that captures the essence of Cambodian flavors.

Checkout events and our community feature on How to make Gin 🫐 👇