From Menorca with Gin

Son Xoriguer rocks!

On the island of Menorca, find a beautiful coastline full of lovely beaches and crystal clear waters. Such is the pride and care that Menorcans have taken with their island, it was awarded with a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status for promoting community driven sustainable development and conservation. Get around the island in a great deal Mahon Airport car hire.

You’re probably already fairly familiar with the Balearic island of Menorca in Spain – even if you haven’t been, you’ll know it’s a popular getaway for people looking for sunshine and beautiful beaches. Less crowded than its fellow Balearic islands, Mallorca and Ibiza, it’s classy and just as vibrant – it’s just a little more laid back. Kind of like a gin and tonic – or better yet, a pomada!

pomada sipping

The pomada is the preferred drink when in the Balearics – you’ll find it everywhere and it’s the perfect sunshine beverage. Made with Menorca’s very own gin – Xoriguer (pronounced sho-ri-gair), mixed with cloudy lemonade, ice and a slice of lemon. And it’s delicious.

Distilled in traditional wood fuel copper stills, it uses high quality wine alcohol – much like the über cool G’Vine (a French gin made in the Cognac region of France). It also contains carefully selected juniper berries picked from nearby Mediterranean mountains and mixed with aromatic herbs – which are, of course, a top secret! During its making, it’s tasted by expert tasters every 10 minutes until they determine that it’s good to go. It’s stored in large oak barrels just before it’s bottled.

More important than the knowledge of the secret herbs, I want to know how to become one of these expert tasters!

Try it at a beachside bar or in Mahon, the island’s capital and home to lots of classy bars and restaurants. Or maybe even at a fiesta – Menorca’s full of them throughout the summer! Not such a fan of lemonade? Try it in a frosted glass with Angustora Bitters or see here for more cocktail inspiration. How would you like yours?

cocktail twists

You can also visit the Xoriguer Gin Distillery to learn about its history and the distillation process… as well of course as the best part of going to these things – the sampling. Stock up on bottles of the stuff there to bring back home – and if you do, count yourself special, the good folk of Menorca love it so much that 60% of Gin Xoriguer never leaves island!

Gin Xorigeur

Can’t wait for a trip to Menorca to try it? You can buy it on-line from our friends at The Drink Shop.