Pink gin is everywhere now, from supermarket shelves to cocktail menus, but there is a lot of confusion about what it actually is. Is it real gin? Is it always sweet? And how are you meant to drink it? As a working Scottish distillery that makes its own pink gin by hand, here is a plain, honest guide.
What is pink gin?
Pink gin is gin that takes its colour and soft, fruity character from fruit or botanicals such as berries, rhubarb, rose or grapefruit. Underneath the colour it is still a proper gin, led by juniper, so a good one should taste of gin first and fruit second. The pink comes from real ingredients, not from the bottle.
There is an older version too. The original Victorian pink gin was simply gin with a few dashes of Angostura bitters, which turned it a pale pink. Today, when people say pink gin they almost always mean the modern fruit-led style, and that is what this guide is about.
Is pink gin actually gin?
Yes. To be called gin at all, the spirit has to be led by juniper, and that applies to pink gin just as much as a classic London Dry. A good pink gin is distilled or infused with real fruit and botanicals so the juniper still comes through. A poor one leans on sugar and colouring to do the work, which is why some pink gins taste more like a sweet liqueur than a gin. There is more on how to tell the two apart below.
What does pink gin taste like?
A well made pink gin is soft, fresh and fruity, with the juniper still there underneath. Depending on the botanicals you might get red berries, rhubarb, citrus, rose or a little pepper. It is usually gentler and more approachable than a dry gin, which is a big part of why it has become such a popular way in for people who thought they did not like gin.
Is pink gin sweet?
Some are, some are not. Sweetness is a choice the distiller makes, not a rule of the style. A lot of mass market pink gins are quite sweet, because sugar is an easy way to make a spirit taste fruity. A more balanced pink gin gets its fruit from real botanicals and stays drier, so it works in a gin and tonic without turning syrupy. If you have found most pink gins too sweet, look for one that leads with its botanicals rather than its sugar.
Pink gin, sloe gin and dry gin at a glance
| Style | Colour from | Taste | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pink gin | Fruit or botanicals (berries, rhubarb, rose) | Soft, fruity, still gin led | Around 37.5 to 40 percent |
| Dry gin | No added colour | Crisp, juniper forward | Around 40 to 47 percent |
| Sloe gin | Steeped sloe berries and sugar | Sweet, rich, liqueur style | Around 25 to 29 percent |
Pink gin sits between the two: fruitier and softer than a dry gin, but a proper spirit rather than a sweet liqueur like sloe. For the wider picture, see our guide to the different types of gin.
How to drink pink gin
The simplest and best serve is a pink gin and tonic. Pour it over plenty of ice, top with a good chilled tonic, and match the garnish to the gin.
The perfect pink gin and tonic
- 50ml pink gin
- Plenty of good, hard ice
- 150ml chilled tonic
- A fresh fruit garnish that echoes the gin
Fill the glass with ice first so the drink stays cold and does not water down, add the gin, then the tonic poured gently down the side to keep the fizz. For the full method and the science behind it, see how to make the perfect gin and tonic.
Which tonic and garnish
A light or Mediterranean tonic lets a fruity pink gin breathe, while a raspberry and rhubarb tonic leans into the berry notes. For the garnish, match the fruit: fresh raspberries and a twist of grapefruit peel suit a rose and grapefruit gin, while a slice of orange or a sprig of mint works with softer, floral styles.
Pink gin cocktails
Pink gin is not just a tonic drink. A few easy serves:
- Pink gin spritz: pink gin, a splash of soda and a little prosecco over ice, garnished with berries.
- Pink Negroni: a softer, more floral take on the classic. See our guide to the best gin for a Negroni for the build.
- Pink gin fizz: pink gin, lemon juice, a little sugar and soda, shaken and topped, for a longer summer drink.
How to choose a good pink gin
Not all pink gins are made the same way. A few things to look for:
- Real botanicals. The label should tell you what gives the gin its flavour and colour. Named fruits and botanicals are a good sign; vague wording usually means colour and sugar.
- A proper strength. A real gin is usually 37.5 percent or higher. Much lower and it is likely a flavoured spirit drink rather than a gin.
- Juniper you can taste. The best pink gins still taste of gin. If all you get is sweet fruit, it is closer to a liqueur.
- Made, not just branded. Buying from a distillery that actually makes its own gin usually means more care and less sugar than a supermarket own label.
Our pink gin: Stirling Pink Gin
Stirling Pink Gin is our fruit-led gin, made by hand at the Old Smiddy at the foot of Stirling Castle. It uses twelve botanicals, including rose petals, pink peppercorn and pink grapefruit, so it is soft and floral with a gentle peppery finish, and it stays gin led rather than sugary. It is bottled at 38 percent and sealed with a hand-dipped wax seal in signature Stirling pink.
It is part of our Folklore Collection, a range inspired by the stories and legends of central Scotland. We like it over ice with a raspberry and rhubarb tonic, fresh raspberries and a twist of grapefruit peel. If you enjoy the fruit-led folklore style, our gin liqueurs Green Lady and Red Cap are worth a look too.
Pink gin, answered
Is pink gin real gin?
Yes, as long as it is led by juniper. A good pink gin takes its colour and fruit from real botanicals and still tastes of gin. Some cheaper versions lean on sugar and colouring, which pushes them closer to a liqueur.
Is pink gin sweet?
It can be, but it does not have to be. Sweetness depends on the distiller. Pink gins built on real fruit and botanicals can stay dry and balanced, while sugar-led ones taste much sweeter.
What mixer goes with pink gin?
Tonic is the classic partner. A light tonic keeps it fresh, while a raspberry or rhubarb tonic leans into the berry notes. Lemonade or soda also work for a longer, lighter drink.
Is pink gin strong?
A proper pink gin is usually 37.5 to 40 percent, similar to a standard gin. Anything much lower is likely a flavoured spirit drink rather than a true gin.
What is the best way to drink pink gin?
Over plenty of ice with a good tonic and a fresh fruit garnish. Build it in a big glass, keep it cold, and match the garnish to the gin.
Pink gin done well is a real gin with a softer, fruitier character, not just a sweet novelty. When you are ready to find yours, explore our full range of Scottish gins, made by hand beneath Stirling Castle, or come and taste the range side by side on a gin tasting experience with us.