Tarquin's has built a reputation for doing flavoured gin with a deft touch, and their Strawberry and Lime expression is a textbook example of the category done right. At 38% ABV, it sits at the lower end of the spectrum — typical for a flavoured gin that wants the fruit to do the talking rather than the alcohol.
Style and Character
This is a gin that wears its intentions on the label. Strawberry and lime is a pairing that works precisely because it balances sweetness against citrus sharpness — think of it as the British summer equivalent of a Thai som tum, where sugar and acid keep each other honest. Tarquin's strength has always been restraint. Where lesser flavoured gins drown their juniper in syrupy fruit, Tarquin's typically lets the botanical backbone breathe alongside the headline flavours.
The half bottle format at £22.50 puts the price per litre on the higher side, but it's a smart option if you want to trial the expression before committing. For a flavoured gin, what matters most is whether the fruit reads as genuine or artificial — and Tarquin's track record suggests the former.
Best Served
Skip the standard tonic pairing. Instead, build a Strawberry Collins: shake with fresh lime juice, a teaspoon of yuzu marmalade, and a dash of simple syrup, then lengthen with soda over crushed ice. Garnish with a shiso leaf and a single sliced strawberry. The herbal note from the shiso lifts the fruit beautifully. Alternatively, a light Mediterranean tonic with a twist of kaffir lime zest and cracked black pepper brings out the citrus side without fighting the strawberry.
A solid 7.4 out of 10. Tarquin's delivers a flavoured gin that respects its category without overplaying its hand — accessible, well-made, and genuinely enjoyable.
