Do You Know What Chilli Gin Tastes Like?

Tanglin Gin, Singapore’s first gin distillery, is known for its unique creations that reflect the multi-cultural diversity of the little red dot. “Singapore has a vibrant history as a stop on the Spice Trade and that was definitely an inspiration,” says co-founder Charlie van Eeden.

Paying homage to the botanicals that would have passed through Singapore along the spice route to London in the past, the gin makers incorporated interesting ingredients such as dried mango, pepper, young ginger and even chilli to their tipple. The result – a collection of delicious, one-of-a-kind gins that showcase Singapore's melting pot culture. This year, Tanglin Gin was also named Best in Asia by the Gin Guide.

Tanglin, the name of the brand – and also a neighbourhood near Orchard Road – references Singapore’s “spicy” heritage as well. “The Tanglin area evolved from a tiger infested jungle to become Singapore’s first spice plantations of pepper, nutmeg and ginger, then became home to the internationally recognised Unesco World Heritage site Singapore Botanic Gardens,” says van Eeden. To pay tribute to the neighbourhood’s colourful heritage, the label on Tanglin Gin bottles symbolise the iconic Tanglin Gate – the entrance to the Botanic Gardens.

Van Eeden adds, “The main takeaway we want people to have about Singapore is that it is a modern multicultural city filled with beautiful flavours and people.”

To taste Singapore in a drink, here is an introduction to three of Tanglin Gin’s unique gins and cocktail suggestions you can create at home.

The brand’s signature Orchid Gin, which also happens to be its first concoction, is a traditional London dry gin that showcases the best of the East and West. Made with 10 different botanicals, it includes familiar flavours found in typical European gins such as juniper, liquorice and coriander – as well as uniquely Asian ingredients.

“Whole Indian vanilla beans, java pepper and Amchoor – a fruity spice powder created from unripe green mangoes typically used in Indian cuisine – gives the Orchid Gin a surprising edge that has rarely been experienced by Western palates,” says van Eeden.

This gin also uses whole organic oranges from head distiller, Tim Whitefield’s, garden in Victoria, Australia.

Rounding off the blend is the Vanilla Planifolia Orchid. Together, the botanicals of Orchid Gin give this spirit a gentle citrusy herbal nose with a smooth and creamy taste and slight peppery warmth that lingers.

Cocktail recommendation: Orchid Gin and Tonic

Ingredients:
50ml Orchid Gin
150ml tonic water
Cinnamon stick
A slice of fresh orange

Stir gin and tonic together with a large chunk of ice and garnish with cinnamon and fresh orange. For an extra lift, add a splash of lime or orange bitters.

For an unexpected twist, try the Mandarin Chilli Gin, a citrus forward spirit with a slight floral nose. It has a fresh natural mandarin citrus flavour with a hint of orange blossom and kaffir lime to refresh the palate. Then, a pleasant kick of heat awaits.

“We introduced chilli and young ginger to create a little zing. It gives a hint of warmth that certainly does not burn,” says van Eeden.

These gourmand ingredients in the gin complement Asian and spicy food, making this a good drink to have at meal times.

Cocktail recommendation: Mandarin Chilli Gin Soda

Ingredients:
50ml Mandarin Chilli Gin
150ml soda
Lemongrass stalk
A wedge of ginger (optional)

Pour soda over gin and ice. Snap and twist a lemongrass stick to release its flavours and aroma and stir it in. For an extra flavour boost, add a wedge of young ginger. 

Based on the Orchid Gin, the head distiller tinkered with the original formula by bruising half the junipers and added whole fresh lemons to create a well-rounded spirit with a bright citrus note.

Also known as a navy strength gin, Black Powder has a higher ABV of 58% compared to 42% of the other two gins. This makes it a good cocktail gin as it will still pack a punch when shaken with ice and other mixers, while still retaining its smooth taste.

Cocktail recommendation: The Gimlet

Ingredients:
60ml Black Powder Gin
15ml sweetened lime juice
A slice of lime

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in the gin and lime juice. Shake vigorously till the drink is chilled. Garnish with a slice of lime.