Hendrick's Gin 41.4% Vol. 0.7 L

Discover the wonderfully distinctive character of Hendrick's Gin 41.4% Vol. 0.7L, a premium Scottish gin celebrated for its unusual combination of refreshing cucumber, delicate rose and carefully balanced botanicals. Crafted at the Hendrick's distillery in Girvan, Scotland, this elegant spirit brings together eleven traditional botanicals with a signature infusion of cucumber and rose to create a remarkably smooth and aromatic gin.

Developed by Master Distiller Lesley Gracie, Hendrick's combines spirits produced using two different types of still, allowing rich herbal flavours and lighter floral aromas to complement one another. Its distinctive profile balances fragrant juniper, fresh citrus peel, subtle spice and gentle floral notes with the unmistakable freshness of cucumber. Presented in its iconic dark apothecary-style bottle, Hendrick's offers a contemporary alternative to traditional London Dry Gin without losing the essential juniper character of a classic gin. For Drinkero, it is an excellent choice for Cucumber Gin & Tonic, Dry Martini, Tom Collins, Gin Fizz, Gimlet, French 75 and other refreshing cocktails where delicate botanical flavours can enhance the finished drink.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Crystal clear and brilliant, presented in Hendrick's distinctive dark, apothecary-inspired bottle.

Aroma: Fresh and beautifully aromatic, featuring juniper, delicate rose petals, crisp cucumber, orange and lemon peel, and subtle floral herbs.

Palate: Smooth, rounded and elegantly balanced, combining piney juniper with refreshing cucumber, gentle rose, citrus freshness, coriander and soft peppery spice.

Finish: Long, clean and pleasantly refreshing, with lingering floral notes, delicate juniper, subtle liquorice and a gentle warming spice.

The Heritage of Hendrick's Gin

Hendrick's is one of the most recognisable names in modern premium gin, with an identity closely associated with unusual botanical combinations and distinctive Scottish craftsmanship.

The brand was introduced in 1999 and developed under the direction of Master Distiller Lesley Gracie.

At a time when traditional juniper-forward gins dominated much of the market, Hendrick's offered a noticeably different interpretation of botanical gin.

Its signature combination of cucumber and rose introduced a fresh, delicate and floral character that distinguished it from established London Dry expressions.

Although its flavour is unconventional, the gin maintains juniper as an essential botanical foundation.

Its production is based in Girvan, on the southwest coast of Scotland, where the combination of traditional distilling equipment and innovative botanical techniques defines its character.

The distinctive dark bottle, inspired by antique apothecary containers, reinforces the brand's unusual personality.

Hendrick's became internationally recognised for its cucumber garnish, which highlights the ingredient responsible for one of its most distinctive aromas.

Today, the brand remains a notable example of contemporary gin-making, combining traditional botanical distillation with creative flavour development.

The Signature Combination of Cucumber and Rose

The most important characteristic of Hendrick's Gin is its distinctive combination of cucumber and rose.

These ingredients are added to a botanical foundation that already contains juniper and a carefully balanced selection of herbs, roots, flowers and spices.

Cucumber contributes a crisp, green and refreshing flavour associated with freshly sliced cucumber.

Its delicate character gives Hendrick's a lighter, cooler impression than many strongly juniper-forward gins.

Rose introduces a soft floral aroma that adds elegance and aromatic complexity.

Rather than creating an intensely perfumed spirit, the rose is carefully balanced to complement the other botanical ingredients.

Cucumber: Provides freshness, gentle green aromas and a distinctive cooling impression.

Rose: Introduces delicate floral notes that complement the gin's citrus and herbal character.

Juniper: Maintains the traditional gin foundation, contributing piney and resinous aromas.

Citrus: Adds brightness and helps balance the softer floral characteristics.

The combination makes Hendrick's especially suitable for refreshing cocktails that use tonic water, lemon, lime or sparkling mixers.

A fresh cucumber garnish is particularly effective because it reinforces the gin's existing botanical profile rather than introducing an unrelated flavour.

Eleven Carefully Selected Botanicals

Hendrick's uses eleven traditional botanicals to create the aromatic foundation of its gin before the distinctive cucumber and rose character is introduced.

Each ingredient plays a specific role in developing the finished spirit.

Juniper berries: Provide the classic piney, resinous flavour that defines gin.

Coriander seeds: Contribute aromatic spice and subtle citrus-like notes.

Angelica root: Adds earthy, woody and gently herbal characteristics.

Orris root: Introduces delicate earthy and floral complexity.

Orange peel: Provides sweet citrus aromas and aromatic freshness.

Lemon peel: Adds bright, refreshing citrus notes.

Chamomile: Contributes soft floral and herbal impressions.

Elderflower: Introduces delicate floral sweetness and aromatic lightness.

Yarrow: Adds herbal complexity and subtle aromatic depth.

Caraway: Provides warm, gently spicy and herbal characteristics.

Cubeb pepper: Contributes peppery spice and subtle woody aromas.

These botanicals form the traditional foundation of Hendrick's distinctive character.

The additional cucumber and rose elements introduce freshness and floral elegance, creating a gin that feels particularly refined in lighter cocktails.

Unlike strongly flavoured fruit gins, Hendrick's maintains a dry, botanical profile suitable for classic gin recipes.

Two Different Stills, One Distinctive Gin

One of the most interesting aspects of Hendrick's production is its use of two different distillation methods.

The distillery combines spirit produced using a traditional Bennett pot still with spirit made using a Carter-Head still.

These approaches allow the distilling team to develop different aromatic characteristics before combining them into the final gin.

The Bennett still produces a more robust, richly flavoured spirit because the botanicals are steeped directly in the alcohol before distillation.

The Carter-Head still uses a different technique in which alcohol vapour passes through botanicals held in a basket, extracting more delicate aromatic compounds.

Bennett still: Creates a fuller, more traditional botanical character with substantial juniper and herbal flavour.

Carter-Head still: Develops lighter and more delicate floral and citrus aromas through vapour infusion.

Blending: Brings together the complementary characteristics of both distillates to create the distinctive Hendrick's profile.

The balanced spirit is then finished with cucumber and rose essences, which provide the final signature character.

This combination of traditional and vapour-infusion distillation gives Hendrick's an unusually layered flavour while maintaining a smooth drinking experience.

Distilled in Girvan, Scotland

Hendrick's Gin is produced in Girvan, South Ayrshire, Scotland, near the country's southwestern coastline.

The location is associated with established Scottish distilling expertise and the development of premium spirits.

Unlike London Dry Gin brands that emphasise their connection to England's capital, Hendrick's celebrates its Scottish origins.

The distillery is home to specialist production equipment, including the traditional Bennett and Carter-Head stills used to create its signature flavour.

Master Distiller Lesley Gracie developed the original Hendrick's recipe by exploring how different botanicals could create a more unusual and balanced gin.

Her work combined traditional ingredients such as juniper, coriander and angelica with the distinctive freshness of cucumber and floral aroma of rose.

Hendrick's has since expanded its production and experimental capabilities through its purpose-built Gin Palace in Girvan.

The facility supports both the original gin and the development of limited-edition expressions featuring different botanical themes.

Despite this experimentation, the original Hendrick's Gin remains the foundation of the brand's identity.

For customers interested in the origin of their spirits, Hendrick's provides a distinctive example of Scottish gin-making craftsmanship.

The Role of Master Distiller Lesley Gracie

The creation of Hendrick's is closely associated with Master Distiller Lesley Gracie, whose work helped establish the brand's unusual character.

Her approach combines technical knowledge of distillation with an interest in botanical aromas and flavour development.

Rather than focusing exclusively on traditional juniper intensity, she explored how complementary ingredients could create a gin with greater freshness and floral complexity.

The combination of cucumber and rose became the central innovation behind the original Hendrick's expression.

Both ingredients require careful balancing because too much cucumber could make the gin excessively green or vegetal, while too much rose could create an overpowering floral aroma.

The objective was to create a spirit in which these unusual characteristics complement rather than dominate the other botanicals.

The use of two different distillation methods further supports this approach by producing spirits with different aromatic qualities.

Gracie's work has continued through experimental Hendrick's releases that explore different combinations of botanicals.

The original Hendrick's remains a useful example of how a contemporary gin can introduce distinctive flavours while retaining a classic juniper foundation.

What Makes Contemporary Botanical Gin Different?

Traditional London Dry Gin is commonly associated with pronounced juniper, dry spice and citrus.

Contemporary botanical gins often take a broader approach, introducing ingredients that create distinctive floral, herbal, fruity or refreshing characteristics.

Hendrick's is a particularly recognisable example because cucumber and rose play an important role in its flavour profile.

These ingredients give the spirit a fresher and more delicate aromatic direction than many classic juniper-forward gins.

However, Hendrick's is not a sweet fruit gin or a gin liqueur.

Its botanical character remains dry and balanced, with juniper providing the traditional foundation.

The combination makes it versatile enough for classic cocktails while also giving it a distinctive identity in simple mixed drinks.

For example, its cucumber and floral notes become particularly noticeable when combined with relatively neutral tonic water.

In cocktails containing stronger ingredients, such as Campari or sweet vermouth, the subtler floral character may be less prominent.

For Drinkero, Hendrick's introduces a useful contemporary style alongside traditional London Dry expressions.

Hendrick's Compared with Tanqueray, Beefeater and Bombay Sapphire

Tanqueray, Beefeater, Bombay Sapphire and Hendrick's are all recognisable premium gins, but they provide different botanical experiences.

Tanqueray London Dry: Emphasises bold juniper, coriander, angelica and liquorice, creating a traditional and assertive gin profile.

Beefeater London Dry: Combines juniper with a particularly bright lemon-and-orange character, supported by additional herbs and spices.

Bombay Sapphire: Uses ten botanicals and vapour infusion to create a lighter, balanced flavour featuring citrus and gentle spice.

Hendrick's: Introduces cucumber and rose, resulting in a distinctly refreshing and floral character alongside traditional juniper.

These differences can influence the choice of gin for a particular cocktail.

Tanqueray is particularly suitable when a strong juniper character is desired, while Beefeater offers a classic citrus-forward alternative.

Bombay Sapphire provides a balanced botanical option for a wide variety of traditional drinks.

Hendrick's is especially appealing when cucumber freshness and delicate floral notes can contribute to the finished cocktail.

For customers assembling a home gin collection, these four expressions offer meaningful differences rather than simply repeating the same style.

Why Hendrick's Is Perfect for Gin & Tonic

Gin & Tonic is arguably the most recognisable way to enjoy Hendrick's Gin.

The combination of gin and tonic water allows the spirit's cucumber and rose characteristics to remain noticeable.

Hendrick's recommends serving its original gin with a fresh cucumber garnish rather than relying exclusively on lemon or lime.

The cucumber reinforces the ingredient already used in the gin and introduces a refreshing aroma as the drink is enjoyed.

A quality tonic water contributes gentle bitterness and carbonation, creating a contrast with the gin's floral and green botanical notes.

For a balanced serve, combine approximately 50 ml Hendrick's with 150 ml chilled tonic water.

Use a large glass filled with fresh ice to keep the drink cold and preserve the tonic's sparkle.

Garnish with two or three thin cucumber slices, or a long cucumber ribbon for an elegant presentation.

For additional freshness, a small amount of lime can be included, although excessive citrus may mask some of the gin's delicate floral character.

This simple combination provides an excellent introduction to Hendrick's distinctive botanical personality.

Why Hendrick's Works in Martini Cocktails

The Martini is one of the most suitable cocktails for exploring the character of a premium gin.

Because it traditionally contains only gin and dry vermouth, the botanical profile of the base spirit remains particularly important.

Hendrick's introduces a softer and more floral character than many traditional London Dry expressions.

Its cucumber notes create a refreshing impression, while rose and citrus add aromatic complexity.

Dry vermouth contributes additional herbal and wine-based notes that complement these botanicals.

For a classic Martini variation, combine 60 ml Hendrick's with 10–15 ml dry vermouth and stir with ice.

Strain into a chilled Martini glass and garnish with a cucumber ribbon or lemon twist.

A cucumber garnish highlights the gin's distinctive freshness, while lemon peel provides a brighter citrus interpretation.

The amount of vermouth can be adjusted according to whether a drier or more aromatic cocktail is preferred.

For Drinkero customers interested in experimenting with Martini cocktails, Hendrick's provides a distinctive contrast to strongly juniper-forward London Dry gins.

How Cucumber and Rose Complement Cocktail Ingredients

Hendrick's works particularly well with ingredients that enhance its refreshing and delicate botanical profile.

Tonic water: Adds bitterness and carbonation, allowing cucumber, rose and juniper to remain prominent.

Fresh cucumber: Reinforces the gin's distinctive green freshness and creates an elegant garnish.

Fresh lemon: Adds bright acidity that complements the gin's citrus peel and floral notes.

Fresh lime: Provides a sharper citrus character suitable for Gimlet and Gin Rickey variations.

Elderflower liqueur: Enhances the gin's delicate floral character, creating elegant aromatic cocktails.

Dry vermouth: Introduces herbal and wine-based complexity for Martini-style drinks.

Soda water: Creates a refreshing sparkling drink without introducing strongly competing flavours.

Honey syrup: Adds gentle floral sweetness for sour-style cocktails such as Bee's Knees.

Fresh mint: Can provide additional herbal freshness in selected long drinks.

Because Hendrick's already contains delicate botanical complexity, it often works best with a manageable number of complementary ingredients.

Strongly sweet or intensely flavoured mixers can obscure the cucumber and rose characteristics that make the gin distinctive.

What Makes Hendrick's Gin Special?

Hendrick's stands out through its unusual combination of traditional gin botanicals with refreshing cucumber and delicate rose.

Its recipe was developed by Master Distiller Lesley Gracie, whose work combines traditional distilling expertise with botanical experimentation.

The production process uses two different stills to create complementary aromatic profiles before blending.

The addition of cucumber and rose gives the gin a fresh, floral character without removing the essential juniper identity.

Its distinctive dark apothecary-style bottle makes it immediately recognisable within a premium spirits collection.

At 41.4% alcohol by volume, this European-market expression provides a suitable strength for a wide variety of gin cocktails.

Its flavour is especially attractive in refreshing drinks where botanical complexity can remain noticeable.

For Drinkero, Hendrick's is an important contemporary gin addition, offering a clearly differentiated alternative to Tanqueray, Beefeater and Bombay Sapphire.

Perfect for Cocktails

Hendrick's Gin is particularly suitable for refreshing and aromatic cocktails where cucumber, delicate flowers and classic juniper can complement other ingredients.

Cucumber Gin & Tonic: Combine Hendrick's with premium tonic water and fresh cucumber. Its distinctive floral and green botanical notes create a particularly refreshing highball.

Dry Martini: Stir Hendrick's with dry vermouth and garnish with a cucumber ribbon or lemon twist. Its smooth character creates an elegant floral interpretation of the classic Martini.

Tom Collins: Combine Hendrick's with fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup, then top with soda water. Its refreshing cucumber character adds another dimension to this sparkling cocktail.

Gin Fizz: Shake Hendrick's with lemon juice and sugar syrup, then top with soda water. The gin's delicate botanical profile complements the bright citrus and refreshing carbonation.

Gimlet: Combine Hendrick's with fresh lime juice and sugar syrup. Its cucumber and citrus notes create a fresh interpretation of this simple classic.

French 75: Mix Hendrick's with lemon juice and sugar syrup, then top with dry sparkling wine. Its floral character adds elegance to this sparkling gin cocktail.

Bee's Knees: Shake Hendrick's with fresh lemon juice and honey syrup. The honey's soft floral character complements the gin's rose and herbal notes.

Elderflower Gin Collins: Combine Hendrick's with elderflower liqueur, lemon juice and soda water for a refreshing floral long drink.

Cucumber Gin Rickey: Mix Hendrick's with fresh lime juice and soda water, serving over ice with cucumber for a crisp and refreshing cocktail.

Serving Suggestions

Hendrick's Gin is particularly enjoyable in chilled cocktails and refreshing long drinks that showcase its cucumber and floral character.

For a Cucumber Gin & Tonic, combine 50 ml Hendrick's with 150 ml chilled premium tonic water. Serve over approximately 150–200 g of ice cubes in a large balloon glass and garnish with three thin cucumber slices.

For a Hendrick's Martini, combine 60 ml Hendrick's with 15 ml dry vermouth. Stir thoroughly with ice, strain into a chilled Martini glass and garnish with a cucumber ribbon.

For a Tom Collins, combine 50 ml Hendrick's with 25 ml fresh lemon juice and 15 ml sugar syrup. Shake with ice, strain into a tall glass containing fresh ice and top with approximately 100 ml soda water.

For a Gin Fizz, shake 50 ml Hendrick's with 25 ml lemon juice and 15 ml sugar syrup. Strain into a chilled glass and top with 60–90 ml soda water.

For a Gimlet, combine 60 ml Hendrick's with 22.5 ml fresh lime juice and 15 ml sugar syrup. Shake thoroughly with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

For a French 75, combine 30 ml Hendrick's with 15 ml fresh lemon juice and 15 ml sugar syrup. Shake with ice, strain into a chilled glass and top with approximately 60 ml dry sparkling wine.

For a Bee's Knees, combine 50 ml Hendrick's with 25 ml lemon juice and 20 ml honey syrup. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled coupe glass.

For an Elderflower Gin Collins, combine 45 ml Hendrick's with 20 ml elderflower liqueur and 20 ml fresh lemon juice. Shake with ice, strain into a glass containing fresh ice and top with 80–100 ml soda water.

For a Cucumber Gin Rickey, combine 50 ml Hendrick's with 20 ml fresh lime juice and 120 ml chilled soda water. Serve over ice and garnish with cucumber slices.

Because Hendrick's has a delicate floral character, use fresh ingredients and avoid overpowering the gin with excessive syrup or strongly flavoured mixers.

Product Details

• Brand: Hendrick's
• Product: Hendrick's Gin
• Country of origin: Scotland, United Kingdom
• Production location: Girvan, South Ayrshire, Scotland
• Brand introduced: 1999
• Master Distiller: Lesley Gracie
• Brand owner: William Grant & Sons
• Spirit type: Gin
• Style: Contemporary Botanical Gin
• Signature flavours: Cucumber and rose
• Traditional botanicals: Juniper, coriander, angelica root, orris root, orange peel, lemon peel, chamomile, elderflower, yarrow, caraway and cubeb pepper
• Number of traditional botanicals: 11
• Additional signature ingredients: Cucumber and rose
• Distillation: Combination of Bennett pot-still and Carter-Head vapour-infusion distillation
• Colour: Crystal clear
• Aroma: Juniper, rose, cucumber, citrus peel and delicate floral herbs
• Flavour profile: Fresh cucumber, gentle rose, juniper, citrus, coriander and subtle peppery spice
• Finish: Long, fresh, floral and gently spicy
• Alcohol content: 41.4% Vol.
• Bottle size: 0.7L (700 ml)
• EAN: 5010327755014
• Recommended use: Cucumber Gin & Tonic, Dry Martini, Tom Collins, Gin Fizz, Gimlet, French 75 and Bee's Knees
• Recommended garnish: Fresh cucumber

Storage: Store upright with the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. Serve chilled or prepare with fresh ice according to the cocktail recipe.

Discover more with Drinkero: Explore classic Gin & Tonic, Dry Martini, Tom Collins, Gimlet and French 75 recipes, discover how contemporary botanical gins differ from traditional London Dry styles and use the Drinkero cocktail calculator to prepare accurately measured ingredients for your favourite cocktails at home.