Manchester Raspberry Infused Gin lands squarely in the flavoured gin category — a space that's grown crowded in recent years, but one where the best bottles still manage to stand out. At 40% ABV, it sits at the standard strength for this style, which tells me the distillers are aiming for easy-drinking appeal rather than a juniper-forward punch.
Style & Approach
Fruit-infused gins live or die on balance. The challenge is always the same: let the raspberry sing without drowning out the botanical backbone that makes gin, well, gin. Manchester has built a solid reputation in the craft spirits scene, and a raspberry expression feels like a natural crowd-pleaser in their lineup. At £38.95, it's priced at the upper end of the flavoured gin bracket — not unreasonable, but it does put it in competition with some seriously accomplished bottles.
What to Expect
A flavoured gin like this should deliver bright, natural berry character up front, with enough juniper and spice underneath to keep things interesting. The best raspberry gins avoid tasting like cordial. They use real fruit, let it macerate properly, and trust the base spirit to do its share of the work. I'd want to taste actual raspberry — seeds, tartness, that slightly jammy warmth — not just sweetness.
Best Served
Pour over ice in a copa glass with Fever-Tree aromatic tonic, a few fresh raspberries, and a torn shiso leaf. The herbaceous, slightly peppery edge of shiso plays brilliantly against berry sweetness. If you're feeling adventurous, try it in a Clover Club — the egg white foam and lemon juice will sharpen the fruit and give the gin room to breathe.
A competent entry in the flavoured gin field that should appeal to anyone who enjoys fruit-forward serves. I'd like to see more information on the botanical bill and distillery details to fully appreciate the craft behind it — transparency matters at this price point.
