Sip #4 2025

The Gin

Hi Reader, Its still Ginuary ! 🍸
This week, our celebration journey continues across iconic gin regions that have shaped the global landscape. 🌟 Today, we turn the spotlight to South Korea 🇰🇷—a country redefining the gin landscape with its unique blend of traditional botanicals and modern craftsmanship. Let’s raise a glass to explore Korean gins' distinct and vibrant flavors! 🥂

Here's what’s on this week’s menu:

Gin of the Week: Gins of Korea🍸🇰🇷
Story: From Soju to Gin 🍶🍸
Masterclass: Pairing Japanese Gin with Food 🍸🍱
Cocktail for the week: Korean Gin & Tonic 🍸
Community Spotlight: How to make Gin 🫐
Bazaar: January/February Events 🗓️

Gins of the Week: Gins of Korea🍸🇰🇷

Renowned for their bold creativity and cultural fusion, South Korea’s 🇰🇷 gin distillers are reshaping the craft spirits scene. They capture the essence of Korea's landscapes and heritage by blending traditional botanicals like omija berries, pine needles, and mugwort with modern distillation techniques. These gins celebrate innovation, offering a vibrant journey through the country’s rich natural and cultural tapestry.

Here are five extraordinary South Korean gins that highlight the nation’s pioneering spirit and unique approach to distilling:

Buja Gin 🌿🍃
Flavor Profile: A bold and vibrant gin featuring tart-sweet omija berries, fresh pine needles, and herbal mugwort, grounded by crisp juniper undertones.
Why Try It: South Korea’s first authentic craft gin, Buja showcases traditional Korean botanicals in a truly unique spirit.
Jung One Gin 🌿🌶
Flavor Profile: Spicy sansho pepper meets the earthy richness of baby ginseng, balanced by a smooth malted barley foundation and a traditional juniper heart.
Why Try It: Jung One Gin innovates with its single malt production method and bold use of Korean botanicals, creating a spirit that’s both modern and rooted in tradition.
Perfume Tree Gin 🌸🍊
Flavor Profile: A fragrant gin with floral champaca, rich sandalwood, and bright tangerine peel, underpinned by delicate botanical layers.
Why Try It: This aromatic masterpiece offers a sophisticated, multi-sensory experience perfect for creative cocktails or sipping neat
Iron Balls Gin 🍍🥥
Flavor Profile: A tropical medley of pineapple, creamy coconut, and sweet dried mango, redefining the traditional gin profile.
Why Try It: For the adventurous palate, Iron Balls Gin delivers a tropical twist on gin that’s as unconventional as it is unforgettable.
Sŏnbi Gin🍋🌸
Flavor Profile: Bright citrus and delicate floral notes lead the way, with a blend of ten botanicals offering sweet tones that transition into a peppery, savory finish.
Why Try It: Sŏnbi Gin perfectly marries classic gin traditions with Korean botanical innovation. Perfect for cocktails or sipping neat!

These Japanese gins offer a sensory journey through the landscapes and traditions of Japan, making them a must-try for any gin enthusiast.

Read about the story of Soju to Gin 🍶🍸👇

Buja Gin: Seoul's First Craft Gin Joins the Family of Korean Spirits– 88 Bamboo

Story: From Soju to Gin 🍶🍸

Tōkki Soju’s story begins in 2016 in Brooklyn, New York, where master distiller Brandon Hill set out to create an authentic, high-quality soju rooted in Korean tradition. By using only glutinous rice, water, and nuruk—a traditional fermentation starter—Tōkki Soju revived the purity and craftsmanship of Korea’s beloved spirit. This dedication to authenticity soon resonated beyond New York, as the brand gained recognition for honoring the essence of soju-making while infusing it with modern creativity.

In 2019, Tōkki Soju took a bold step, moving its operations to Chungju, South Korea. This transition marked a homecoming that allowed the brand to immerse itself fully in Korea’s cultural and agricultural heritage. By sourcing local ingredients and engaging with the heart of Korea’s distillation traditions, Tōkki Soju deepened its roots. Yet, with global spirits trends shifting toward gin, the brand saw an opportunity to expand its legacy by exploring a new frontier—gin production.

The launch of Sŏnbi Gin in 2021 marked a historic moment, blending the expertise of soju-making with the artistry of gin. Crafted in the London Dry style, Sŏnbi Gin highlighted Korean botanicals such as pine leaves, Schisandra berries, and chrysanthemums. This innovative spirit not only earned a Double Gold at the San Francisco Spirits Competition, becoming the first Korean gin to gain such global acclaim but also sparked a revolution in South Korea’s spirits industry. Sŏnbi Gin’s success inspired a wave of creativity and innovation, paving the way for Korean distillers to redefine the global gin landscape while celebrating their heritage.

NEXT, Check out the Masterclass on Types of Tonic Water🫧 👇

Tōkki Soju Is A Korean Spirit You Should Know

Masterclass: Types of Tonic 🫧

Tonic water is an unsung hero of many classic cocktails, and with their choices, you can transform your drinks into masterpieces. Today, let's learn about its different types and how to pair them for the perfect sip. Ready? Let’s go!

As you might already know, Tonic water is flavored with quinine, giving it that signature bitter taste. Once used as medicine, it’s now a staple in cocktails, especially with gin. But not all tonic water is the same! Here's a breakdown of its flavor by the types and how to pair them.

Classic Tonic Water 🍋: This tonic has a balanced bitter and slightly sweet flavor. It pairs beautifully with London Dry gins like Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire, enhancing their juniper-forward notes. Try a classic Gin and Tonic with a twist of lime for extra zing!
Light or Diet Tonic Water 🌟: With its crisp taste and lower calorie count, this tonic allows the botanicals in floral or citrus-forward gins, to shine. Pair it with a slice of cucumber or lemon for a refreshing vibe.
Mediterranean Tonic Water 🌿🍋: Infused with herbs like rosemary, lemon thyme, and citrus, this aromatic tonic complements herbal or citrus gins like Gin Mare or Monkey 47. Garnish with fresh rosemary or orange peel to amplify the Mediterranean flavors.
Flavored Tonic Water 🍓🍊: Featuring fruits or flowers like elderflower, grapefruit, or raspberry, this tonic pairs wonderfully with contemporary gins, adding complexity. For a stunning cocktail, pair an elderflower tonic with a floral gin and garnish with edible flowers.
Aromatic Tonic Water 🌶️🪷: Warm and spicy with notes of ginger, cardamom, or cloves, this tonic suits bold, spice-forward gins like Opihr or Ransom Old Tom Gin. Mix it with a slice of ginger or a cinnamon stick for a cozy, warming drink.

When pairing tonic, balance is key. Learn to match the intensity of the tonic with the flavor profile of the gin. Begin with a 1:3 ratio of gin to tonic and adjust to taste. Stronger flavors need robust tonics, while delicate gins pair better with lighter options. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different combinations and note your favorites. Add fresh garnishes like citrus peels, herbs, or spices to enhance the aroma and flavor, tweaking your cocktail even further.

To test your skills, grab your favorite gin and three types of tonic water. Mix and match, try each combination, and discover which pairing you love most. Share your favorite creation with friends or family—it’s a fun way to celebrate your newfound tonic expertise. Cheers to mastering the art of mixing! 🥂✨

Checkout our Cocktail for the week: Korean Gin & Tonic 🍸👇

The Ultimate Guide to Tonic Water: Types and Choices

Cocktail for the week: Korean Gin & Tonic 🍸

A unique twist on the classic gin and tonic, Korean Gin & Tonic is a cocktail that combines local flavors, and incorporates ingredients like:

Korean Gin and Tonic Recipe

Ingredients:

1 oz gin
0.75 oz yuzu juice
0.5 oz mint simple syrup (or muddled fresh mint)
Tonic water
Ice
Mint sprig (for garnish)

Instructions:

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the gin, yuzu juice, and mint simple syrup (or muddled mint).
Shake well until chilled.
Strain the mixture into a glass filled with fresh ice.
Top with tonic water to taste.
Garnish with a mint sprig.
Serve and enjoy!

This refreshing cocktail is perfect for those looking to explore new flavors while enjoying a familiar favorite.

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