Edinburgh Orange & Basil Gin is one of those bottles that immediately tells you what it's about — and I respect that directness. As part of Edinburgh's flavoured gin range, this London Dry takes a classic juniper-forward foundation and layers it with the bright citrus punch of orange and the peppery, almost anise-like sweetness of fresh basil. It's a combination that sounds like it belongs on an Italian terrace, and honestly, that's exactly the mood it delivers.
Style & Character
At 40% ABV, this sits at the standard strength for a flavoured London Dry, which tells me the distillers are prioritising accessibility and mixability over raw intensity. Edinburgh have built a solid reputation for their fruit and botanical infusions, and the orange-basil pairing here is genuinely inspired. Orange peel is one of the most common supporting botanicals in gin distillation — it provides lift and brightness that helps juniper sing rather than dominate. Basil, meanwhile, is a more adventurous choice. It belongs to the same family as many classic gin herbs, and its natural oils carry a warmth and complexity that should knit beautifully with citrus.
Best Served
This is a gin that was practically designed for a Mediterranean-style G&T. I'd pair it with a light, dry tonic — Fever-Tree Mediterranean works brilliantly — over a tall glass of good ice, garnished with a sprig of fresh basil and a wheel of blood orange. If you're feeling more ambitious, try it in a Gin Basil Smash: shake 50ml with fresh basil leaves, 25ml lemon juice, and 15ml sugar syrup, then double-strain into a rocks glass. The herbal notes in this gin will amplify that cocktail beautifully.
At £27.25, it's fairly priced for a flavoured gin from a well-known producer. It won't rewrite the rulebook, but it delivers exactly what it promises — bright, aromatic, and thoroughly enjoyable. A 7.2 out of 10 feels right: a confident, well-made gin that knows its lane and stays in it.
