First Impressions
Brighton is a city that does things its own way — colourful, independent, slightly eccentric, and permanently optimistic about the weather. Brighton Gin, produced by the Brighton Spirits Company, captures something of that civic character in a bottle. It is a gin that leads with citrus and sunshine rather than juniper severity, and it incorporates locally grown coriander and milk thistle — the latter a botanical more commonly associated with liver health supplements than London Dry gin.
The result is a gin that feels like a walk along the seafront: bright, breezy, and uncomplicated in the best possible sense.
The Distillery
Brighton Spirits Company produces this gin in the city whose name it proudly bears. The botanical bill features juniper, orange and lime peels, locally grown coriander seeds, and milk thistle — a flowering plant in the daisy family that contributes a subtle, slightly nutty quality to the spirit. The local sourcing of the coriander connects the gin to its Brighton origins in a more meaningful way than the name alone, and the milk thistle is a distinctive enough addition to give the gin a genuine talking point.
Tasting
The nose opens with piney juniper — properly present and well-defined — accompanied by woody, nutty angelica root notes and light zesty orange. It is clean and bright, establishing a character that is citrus-led but respectfully juniper-grounded. There is nothing complicated about the nose, and that directness is part of its appeal.
On the palate, citrus takes the leading role. The flavour is clean and immediate, with orange and lime peels creating a bright, zesty character that is both refreshing and moreish. Resinous juniper notes provide proper gin structure, and there is a slight floral tinge at mid-taste that adds a touch of complexity. The mouthfeel is attractively creamy — a pleasant surprise that gives the gin more substance than the 40% ABV might suggest. Coriander and light zesty citrus weave through the palate, maintaining interest without demanding close analysis.
The finish is where Brighton Gin reveals unexpected depth. It is long and warm, with coriander and orange rind providing the primary flavour, alongside lingering pine and black pepper spice that add a savoury, slightly earthy quality. Zesty citrus persists throughout, creating a finish that is both refreshing and warming. For a gin that leads with sunshine, the finish has genuine substance.
How to Drink It
This is a G&T gin par excellence. Use Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic and a generous wheel of orange — the citrus character of both the gin and the garnish create a drink that tastes like summer regardless of the weather. The creamy mouthfeel means it works equally well with lighter tonics if you prefer a more delicate serve.
In cocktails, Brighton Gin makes a bright, cheerful Tom Collins — the citrus botanicals harmonise naturally with lemon juice and sugar. It also works well in a Aperol Spritz variation, where the orange character finds common ground with the aperitivo.
The Bottom Line
Brighton Gin earns a 7 for delivering a well-made, citrus-forward gin that captures something of its hometown's sunny, independent character. The milk thistle is a subtle but genuine point of distinction, the locally grown coriander adds provenance, and the creamy mouthfeel is a pleasant surprise. It will not satisfy drinkers seeking juniper dominance, but for those who want a bright, breezy gin that works beautifully in long drinks and summer cocktails, Brighton Gin delivers with seaside charm. A bottle that makes you want to pull up a deckchair.
