Heather

Heather – particularly the flowering tops of Calluna vulgaris – brings a gentle, floral elegance to gin, offering a subtle complexity that enhances both aroma and flavour. Native to moorlands and heathlands across the UK and northern Europe, heather has long been associated with wild landscapes and traditional herbal remedies. In gin, it contributes a light, honeyed note with delicate floral sweetness and a soft herbaceous undertone.

Unlike bolder botanicals such as citrus or spice, heather plays a supporting role, lending nuance and rounding out sharper edges. It complements juniper beautifully, especially in gins designed to evoke natural or countryside character. When used alongside botanicals like lavender, chamomile, or rose, heather helps build a sophisticated floral bouquet without overpowering the palate.

Heather can be used in dried or fresh form, with distillers often favouring the dried flowers for their consistency and stability during distillation. The essential oils in heather are subtle, so careful handling is needed to capture their essence – typically through vapour infusion or gentle maceration.

From a storytelling perspective, heather brings strong ties to provenance and tradition. It is particularly popular in Scottish gins, where it reinforces a sense of place and heritage. When used well, it adds not only a floral lift but also a poetic connection to the land.

In cocktails, heather-forward gins pair well with light tonics, floral vermouths, or honey-based syrups, and shine in delicate serves like the martini, French 75, or gin fizz.

Heather is a botanical of restraint and grace – not a showstopper, but a harmoniser. Its inclusion in gin speaks to a distiller’s finesse, adding a gentle but memorable touch of wild flora to the spirit.