We are told not to judge a book by its cover…and that’s good advice when it comes to tasty beverages! I mean, have you ever purchased a wine or a six-pack of beer because of its funny name or cool label? Ok, you don’t have to answer that.
No doubt, many of us have selected a new gin or other liquor based on the color of the bottle. But, when we open the bottle to make our delicious cocktail, we’re surprised and disappointed when it pours out clear…or worse yet, a color you aren’t happy with.
Which leads us to our main topic of the day, which is the color of Lunar Gin by Hendrick’s.
So what color is Hendrick’s Lunar Gin?
Despite its label, Hendrick’s Lunar Gin is absolutely clear. The misconception of Lunar being blue probably comes from the design of its bottle. It has a midnight blue label set on a black bottle and it is decorated with a silvery crescent moon and a map of the constellations.
For those of you interested in actually seeing the Lunar Gin color for yourself, here is a short clip of me pouring myself a much deserved happy hour using Hendrick’s Lunar.
@gin_boss ♬ Sunny Day – Ted Fresco
The fact is that there is nothing blue about Lunar Gin. The gin itself was inspired when Hendrick’s Master Distiller Lesley Gracie noticed that the aromas of her summer garden changed as the light changed.
She discovered that the same held true at the distillery’s hot house late one evening. Gracie set out to capture and balance the spicy florals and green aromas by infusing Lunar Gin “with natural oils of the night” from the flowers in Hendrick’s distillery hot house.
Gin Brands that are Blue
So if you are looking for a beautiful blue gin, Hendrick’s Lunar is not going to fit the bill but hopefully the rest of this article will. Here is a list of blue gins but make sure you read all the way to the end because they don’t always stay that way.
- Empress 1908 Gin (Review)
- Pink Marmalade Gin
- McClean’s Something Blue
- Ink Gin
- Secret Garden
- Ellis Butterfly Pea
- The Illusionist Gin
- McQueen
- Collective Arts Lavender & Juniper Gin
- Dunrobin Earl Grey Gin
- H2 Craft Metamorphosis Indigo Gin
What Makes a Gin Blue
Most often, the vibrant blue color in gin comes from an intense indigo flower called Clitoria ternatea or Butterfly Pea Flower. It is native to Asia and has long been used as a tea as well as a natural dye for foods, drinks, and textiles. Butterfly pea flower does not have a strong taste and won’t interfere with other flavors.
How to make a Blue Gin Cocktail
So here’s the thing, blue gin is appreciated mostly for its color changing drama, not as the main ingredient in a blue cocktail.
This is because when butterfly pea flower liquid is introduced to an acid like lemon juice or quinine, the deep blue color changes to a lavender purple. Here are some examples of me using Empress in recipes.
It adds a bit of theater and magic to the cocktail even if it’s a simple G&T. But, it needs to be said, blue gin is not the right choice for a blue cocktail.
True Blue
So, if you’re looking for a blue gin because you need a blue cocktail for an occasion or you just love the color blue, don’t distress because you can still achieve a blue cocktail with a couple of work arounds. Here are our tips to keep or make your drinks blue.
- enjoy a blue gin on the rocks
- serve your cocktail in a blue glass
- add some butterfly pea tea or powder
- use B’LURE Flower Extract drops
- add blue curaçao (artificially colored)
- layer blue gin as a float in your cocktail
Conclusion
For making blue gin drinks, the truth is that it is far easier to add blue color than start with a blue gin. Most cocktails call for an acidic element to balance the sweet counterpart so there is no way to keep a blue gin blue. Your best bet is to experiment with the suggestions above.
To learn about different styles of gin and the great cocktails you can make with it, visit our homepage and have a drink with us.
If you’re interested in a pale purple cocktail, try our Hendrick’s Neptunia Aviation.
