We make festive cocktails with East Midlands gin and love local distiller’s sustainability ethos


An East Midlands based distiller has created a range of artisan drinks and we couldn’t wait to try making some tasty tipples.
We made a classic G&T for gin purists and an avant-garde version with a festive twist.
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Hide AdThe flavour profile is juicy citrus, with a whisper of spice in the background, plus infusion of nine botanicals.
I’m not a big gin drinker but I enjoyed creating refreshing cocktails.
Friends who put the gin through the taste-test paces described the gin as a ‘classic dry gin which was fresh and crisp’.
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Hide AdAnother gin fan said it was ‘lovely to taste a local gin made in Derby’.
As I have a sweeter palate, I also added a splash of simple syrup which I have a stock of in my fridge, made by boiling equal quantities of granulated sugar and water.
(I forgot to say I added simple syrup in the video, my apologies.)
As we’re in the festive season I also decided to mix things up and create a Christmassy cocktail.
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Hide AdGuerilla Chicken also create rum and vodka, now I know the brand, I will explore what else I can create using their spirits.
Who are Guerilla Chicken?
Guerilla Chicken based off Ascot Drive, is the upstart Derby distiller which sells its vodka and gin in distinctive eco-friendly reusable metal bottles.
The brand’s bulging trophy cabinet includes awards of two prestigious spirits competitions; silver and a bronze award for its Upriser gin and Subverter vodka at the London Spirits Competition 2024, then two bronzes for the same products at the International Wine & Spirits Competition – the largest global event of its kind.
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Hide AdHe attended a Brew School Bakewell course three years’ ago after his wife surprised him and encouraged him to pursue his dream.
The constantly creative Paul is now breaking new ground in the industry by selling his Subverter Vodka and Upriser Gin, along with two rums - Sedition Honey Spiced and Rabble Rouser Apple & Vanilla Spiced - in stainless steel, insulated flasks and convenient pouches.
The reusable flasks are a big draw for me, not only does it look nice on my drinks cabinet, it also makes me feel happy that I’m helping towards a greener revolution.
All Guerilla Chicken spirits come in a reusable flasks which a spokesperson says is ‘crafted for sustainability and designed to preserve the essence of exceptional spirits, sip by sip’.
For more information about Guerilla Chicken click here: guerilla-chicken.com.
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