York Gin has developed a chocolate and orange-flavoured gin, inspired by the famous Terry’s Chocolate Orange.
York is famous for its chocolate-making history. The Chocolate Orange was invented and manufactured in the city’s Terry’s chocolate factory from 1932 until 2005.
A homage to the product, the new full-strength gin is created using cocoa beans and fresh oranges. The cocoa nibs (dried, roasted and crushed cocoa beans) are sourced from the York Chocolate Story, a tourist attraction and chocolatier in the city.
Harry Cooke, master distiller and co-founder of York Gin, said: “We take inspiration from our ancient city’s incredible past.
“Our range already includes gins inspired by the Romans, Guy Fawkes and the city’s ghosts (York is Europe’s most haunted city).
“We’re delighted to have created a gin that pays homage to a major part of the city’s chocolate traditions.”
York Gin Chocolate & Orange is suggested served with a premium tonic, such as Fever-Tree Clementine, with lots of ice and a slice of fresh orange or cocoa nibs.
It can also be used to create a range of cocktails, including the York Gin Chocolate & Orange Negroni, York Gin Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini and York Gin Chocolate Orange Snowball (all recipes below).
Harry added: “We’ve had to alter our distilling technique for this gin. For the orange flavour, we add whole oranges into the mix of botanicals. The alcohol is heated up and the vapour is infused by all these botanicals.
“We added the cocoa nibs into the alcohol itself in a technique called maceration. This brings out the chocolate flavour much more successfully than putting the nibs in the basket along with the other botanicals.
“The result is rich and luxurious chocolate with distinct but more subtle zesty orange notes. These combine with the perfect blend of nine original botanicals that win our gins gold medals in international competitions.”
York Gin Chocolate & Orange is available to pre-order from 2 November.
York Gin Chocolate & Orange Negroni
25ml York Gin Chocolate & Orange
25ml Campari
25ml Red vermouth
Soda water (optional to taste)
Pour the three ingredients into a tumbler full of ice. Top up with soda to make a longer drink. Garnish with burnt orange twist.
York Gin Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini
25ml York Gin Chocolate & Orange
15ml Tia Maria
10ml Cointreau
Shot of espresso
All shaken in a Boston shaker with ice (to cool the coffee). Strain into a Martini glass. Add a dusting of chocolate.
York Gin Chocolate Orange Snowball
25ml York Gin Chocolate & Orange
35ml Advocaat
Soda
Serve over ice topped with soda. Garnish with crumbled chocolate.
