Citadelle has long been one of the more quietly confident names in French gin production. Their core expression earned its stripes with a complex botanical bill and elegant restraint. So when I heard they'd released Rouge — a flavoured gin built around a medley of red and dark berries — I was curious to see whether they could bring that same sophistication to a category that too often trades on sweetness alone.
A Berry-Forward Gin with Backbone
Citadelle Rouge Gin leans into its fruit credentials without apology. The botanical lineup reads like a late-summer foraging haul: cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackcurrants, and rhubarb, all layered over a citrus-forward foundation. At 41.7% ABV, it sits comfortably above the minimum threshold for gin and signals that this isn't a liqueur masquerading as a spirit. That extra bit of strength matters — it gives the juniper and citrus room to push back against the fruit, which is exactly what a flavoured gin needs to stay honest.
What interests me most here is the inclusion of rhubarb alongside the berries. It's a smart move. Rhubarb brings tartness and a vegetal edge that should counterbalance the natural sweetness of the raspberries and blueberries. Think of it like adding lime leaf to a Thai dessert — that bitter-sour note stops everything from collapsing into one-dimensional candy. The cranberries and blackcurrants pull in a similar direction, offering astringency and depth rather than simple sugar.
Style and Category
This sits in the flavoured gin space, but the botanical composition suggests Citadelle are aiming for something more structured than your typical pink gin. The citrus-forward backbone should keep the spirit grounded, while the berry and rhubarb elements add colour — both literally and figuratively. It's the kind of gin that rewards you for paying attention rather than just pouring it over ice and forgetting about it.
I'd rate Citadelle Rouge at 7.7 out of 10. It earns marks for thoughtful botanical selection and for maintaining a respectable ABV in a category where many producers water things down. It loses a fraction for operating in a crowded field where berry gins need to work harder to distinguish themselves. That said, the rhubarb and blackcurrant notes should give this enough edge to stand apart from the pack.
Best Served
Skip the standard tonic-and-berries routine. Instead, try this with a dry Indian tonic, a strip of fresh rhubarb, and a few pink peppercorns. If you're feeling adventurous, build a Rouge Sour — shake it hard with lemon juice, egg white, and a bar spoon of yuzu marmalade. The citrus and tart berry character should sing in that format. For something longer, a spritz with dry prosecco and a splash of Campari would lean into the bittersweet fruit profile beautifully.
