Gin de Cologne. London Dry Gin with citrus peels, lavender and juniper, 42% vol – handcrafted in Cologne-Ehrenfeld.
Gin de Cologne is a London Dry Gin from Cologne: over 12 botanicals, including peels of lemon, orange and lime, lavender and hibiscus blossoms, and juniper. 42% vol, 500 ml. Handcrafted in Cologne-Ehrenfeld, lime-forward, zesty and mild – intentionally not bitter.
The classic from Cologne is a London Dry Gin and the brand's base variety, upon which the Rosé and non-alcoholic versions are built. A London Dry Gin derives its aroma solely from the botanicals that are distilled with the alcohol during the burn; no sweeteners or colorings are added afterward. The name only reveals the method: London Dry Gin can be distilled anywhere, including Cologne. Legally, a gin requires at least 37.5% vol and must taste of juniper. This one has 42% vol. The workday is over, the sun is still up, three ice cubes clink in the glass: the first sip of Gin and Tonic is lime-forward and light, and you are no longer in a hurry. This bottle is made for evenings like these.
Taste: lime-forward, zesty, mild and refreshing
Lime-forward, zesty, mild, refreshing – this is how the producer describes the taste, and the botanicals explain why. Lemon, orange, and lime peels provide the freshness. Juniper provides the structure that makes a gin a gin. Lavender and hibiscus blossoms round it off with a floral note. In total, there are over 12 botanicals.
The gin is intentionally made to be not bitter. This makes it the bottle for everyone who likes Gin and Tonic but turns their nose up at resinous, tart varieties, and for everyone who is just discovering gin for themselves. At 42% vol, it still has backbone: it remains present in a long drink instead of disappearing behind the tonic.
Because the gin is mild, it forgives small inaccuracies in mixing: a little more tonic, one ice cube fewer, and the glass remains balanced. This makes it a gin for everyday life that you don't need to weigh out. It is summery anyway, which is how the manufacturer describes it. Anyone looking for an edgy, juniper-heavy profile will find a friendlier alternative here.
Use: Gin and Tonic with lime, plenty of ice and a cold glass
The classic first: 4 cl gin, 16 cl tonic water, a wedge of lime, and three ice cubes. We mix in a 1:4 ratio in a large long drink glass or balloon glass. First the ice, then the gin, then the tonic slowly down the spoon – this keeps the carbonation in the glass. A lime slice works well as a garnish; a lemon or orange zest picks up on the citrus peel botanicals in the gin. With 4 cl per drink, a 500 ml bottle is enough for around twelve Gin and Tonics.
A few variations for the long drink: A small sprig of lavender in the glass complements the lavender blossoms in the gin, two cucumber slices make the drink even fresher. If you find tonic too tart, top up with Bitter Lemon or Ginger Ale. For guests, a pitcher is worthwhile: prepare gin, ice, and citrus slices, adding the tonic only at the table to keep it carbonated.
Beyond the Gin and Tonic, the gin shows that it loves citrus. A Gimlet consists of 5 cl gin, 2 cl fresh lime juice, and 1.5 cl sugar syrup, shaken vigorously over ice and strained into a chilled glass. For a Tom Collins, shake 5 cl gin with 3 cl lemon juice and 1.5 cl sugar syrup and top up with soda water in a tall glass. Drink it neat and well-chilled in small sips. Gin is a spirit with 42% vol and is only for adults aged 18 and over.
Our tip: Chill the glass in advance with ice and water and squeeze the lime peel over the drink before putting it in – the oil from the peel brings out the citrus notes in the gin.
Origin: Handcrafted in Cologne-Ehrenfeld, founded in 2017
Gin de Cologne comes from Cologne Spirits GmbH in Cologne, Bonner Straße 205. The company was founded in 2017 by Abbass Khatami, who previously worked for beverage brands with his advertising agency. He therefore knew the industry from the brand side before he filled bottles himself.
The gin is handcrafted in Cologne-Ehrenfeld. A small family has since grown around the London Dry Gin: the Rosé, refined with raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries and with 15 botanicals; the Orange-Gin with over 13 botanicals, introduced in 2020; and the non-alcoholic Zero de Cologne with the same botanicals. The 100 ml minis were explicitly developed by the brand as a Cologne souvenir as well.
For whom: Gin beginners, citrus fans, and everyone who likes Cologne in their glass
The classic is perfect for anyone looking for a mild, fresh gin for everyday life. It is the bottle for a Gin and Tonic on the weekend and for guests who don't like every gin. It is also suitable for anyone who wants to give a gin from Cologne as a gift for a birthday, housewarming, or as a thank-you for an invitation, as it will be enjoyed by everyone at the table because it remains mild. Those who have moved away from Cologne can bring a piece of home onto their shelf with this bottle. If the bottle should be gift-ready, it is available in a gift box with 500 ml.
If you want to try it first, take the mini with 100 ml and decide afterwards. If you like it fruity and berry-forward, take a look at the Rosé. You can find all varieties of the brand on the Gin de Cologne page.
The gin is not suitable for those looking for a tart, strongly juniper-accented gin or a drink without any alcohol. For the latter group, there is the Zero de Cologne, which the manufacturer states uses the same botanicals.
London Dry Gin from Cologne-Ehrenfeld with citrus, lavender and juniper, 42% vol, 500 ml – lime-forward and mild for a Gin and Tonic after work.
