The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2019 - Issue 26

W hen you happen to come across wild Huelva strawberries growing near a distillery and you decide to experiment with them, some- times there is no knowing what you will end up with. After purchasing the Carmona distillery, one of the oldest and most traditional distilleries in the province of Andalusia, Seville in 2013, brothers Jose Antonio and Francisco Rodriguez Fernandez stumbled upon a great discovery - Puerto de Indias. “The birth of our prized strawberry gin was truly an accident that made history,” revealed Jose Sedano, Inter- national Development Director for Puerto de Indias. “While experimenting with Seville’s world-renowned fresh strawberries, the brothers added some distilled strawberry mash to the gin they were crafting. The product was so delicious they bottled a few hundred cases and the rest is history.” Dating back to 1880, Carmona distillery was founded by an immigrant, Mr. Izaguirre, who fled to Carmona from his home in Basque Country to escape the CarlistWars. Upon settling on the land that now houses the distillery, he decided to use the Roman-era natural subterranean springs to begin distilling a series of spirits in copper stills using traditional methods. The distillery produced the first Andalusian ‘Pacharán’ as well as the ‘Los Hermanos’ anisette and the ‘Triunfo’ range of liquors over the years. It now produces three varieties of gin: Strawberry, Classic, and Pure Black Edition. Using the finest raw materials, the strawberries, plants, and other ingredients involved in the manufac- turing process are carefully selected from different geographical areas to obtain a truly first-class product. The name Puerto de Indias is more than just the name of a gin. It relates to the discovery of America when the 16th-century Seville was the main port for trade between Europe and the ‘New World’ and became a place of splendour and adventure. Taking inspiration from the explorers and pioneers of its hometown, the name of the gin translates as ‘Port to the Americas’. “Puerto de Indias Strawberry Gin has always been about sailing through conventions and breaking down the barri- ers of gin as we know it,” said Margaux Maupate, Brand Manager for Puerto de Indias. “As the first and bestsell- ing strawberry gin in the world, it was about time we started challenging conventions in the UK, as gin is quite literally on everyone’s lips!” “At Puerto de Indias, we have a rich heritage and are proud of our innovative approach to making gin, mar- rying traditional customs of distillation with modern techniques. We believe that passion shines through in our finished product, setting us apart from the competi- tion. We think that this Christmas, the best gift you can give yourself is a taste of the original strawberry gin!” The gin is crafted through the expert blending of delicate citrus and juniper with freshly distilled strawberries. This results in a truly distinctive and wonderfully accessible gin with a deliciously fresh and subtle taste of strawberry and a visually stunning colour that dares to be different. Thanks to the combination of know-how and innovation, coupled with dedication, the distilling process creates a product with its own unique identity. A perfect way to enjoy this strawberry gin is over ice, garnished with fresh strawberry slices and a wedge of lime, and topped with premium tonic water. For a Christmassy twist, the brand suggests topping your Puerto de Indias up with soda water, a sprig of mint, and a cinnamon stick. Or enjoy your drink with the Puerto de Indias Strawberry Gin Gift Pack which includes a 70cl bottle of the gin and a branded Copa glass. For adventurous cocktail drinkers, the Spanish drinks brand has a few ideas that may suit your taste. Puerto de Indias On The Beach is created using 5 cl of Puerto de Indias Strawberry Gin, 20 cl of 7UP, fresh strawberries, grenadine or strawberry syrup, and ice. Finely dice the strawberries before putting these, ice and the gin into a cocktail shaker and shake well. Pour the content into a glass and add a few drops of your desired syrup. Puerto de Indias 2/86 Style is quite interesting as it con- sists of 5 cl of Puerto de Indias Premium Strawberry Gin, strawberry concentrate, 33 cl of Sprite, four cherries, liquid nitrogen, and ice. Fill the glass with ice and swirl and then add liquid nitrogen to achieve the ideal temper- ature. Pour in the strawberry concentrate for a second to boost the fruity aroma and add a touch of sweetness. Add the Sprite slowly using a braided spoon before introducing the cherries and 5 cl of Puerto de Indias Premium Strawberry Gin. Cut the two remaining cher- ries in half; put the first in the cocktail so it releases its aroma and the second one should be positioned on the rim of the glass as decoration. Finish the Puerto de Indias 2/86 Style presentation with a brochette of their favourite fruits on the rim of the glass. Make it a Pink-Tonic with 5 cl of Puerto de Indias Premium Strawberry Gin, 20 cl of tonic, fresh straw- berries, and ice. Fill the glass with ice and swirl to chill the glass. Discard the remaining water before adding a couple of fresh strawberry slices to boost the aroma of the gin. Pour in the gin and fill with tonic while stirring gently with a spoon. The cocktail can be decorated with a strawberry placed on the rim of the glass. Besides Puerto de Indias Premium Strawberry Gin, why not experience the brand’s other premium gins? Pure Black Edition is inspired by the Andalusian spring which incorporates a symphony of floral scents such as orange and lemon blossom awakening the senses, while Classic has plenty of body for a more intense citrus gin. The lime, grapefruit, orange, lemon peel, and cilantro give a very fresh touch to the palate. Puerto de Indias Premium Strawberry Gin is availa- ble online from Amazon, Master of Malt, and Whisky Exchange. https://ginpuertodeindias.com bite drinks