Sipsmith London Cup
Sipsmith · Sipsmith Distillery
Sipsmith London Cup is a love letter to the English tradition of summer cups — a style of drink whose origins hide behind garden walls and afternoon rituals. It rewards those who look past the modest proof to discover genuine botanical complexity, making it a perfect fit for the theme of hidden sources revealed. An effortless warm-weather sipper that punches well above its weight.
Nose
An immediate rush of Earl Grey tea and lemon verbena, wrapped in dried rose petals and a whisper of borage. Beneath the bright top notes, a quiet juniper-herbal backbone emerges, evoking an English garden walled away from the street. A hint of cucumber peel and bitter orange marmalade rounds out a complex, layered bouquet.
Palate
Silky and surprisingly deep for its gentle proof, with lemon curd, chamomile honey, and a pronounced floral character that straddles lavender and rose water. Mid-palate, warming spice from cassia bark and a touch of ginger emerge, while the juniper stays present but politely restrained. Sweet vermouth-like herbal richness provides an almost wine-like body.
Finish
Medium-length and refreshing, trailing off with dried orange peel, a lingering floral sweetness, and the faintest echo of Earl Grey tannin.
- Style
- Gin Cup (English Summer Cup style)
- Botanicals
- Juniper, lemon verbena, Earl Grey tea, borage, cucumber, dried rose petals, orange peel, cassia bark, coriander seed, angelica root
- Base Spirit
- Grain neutral spirit
- Distillation
- Pot-distilled in Sipsmith's copper pot stills (Prudence and Patience) using a maceration of over ten botanicals including Earl Grey tea, lemon verbena, borage, and cucumber, then blended with natural botanicals post-distillation
Cocktail Suggestion
The Walled Garden Cup — 3 oz Sipsmith London Cup · 4 oz chilled English sparkling wine or lemonade · 1 oz fresh strawberry purée · Muddle fresh mint and cucumber in the glass · Build over ice in a tall glass · Garnish with a long cucumber ribbon and a sprig of borage
Food Pairing
Delicate smoked trout and peppery watercress on thin brown bread with crème fraîche and a squeeze of lemon — the smoky richness of the fish mirrors the cup's herbal depth, while the watercress echoes its botanical bite and the crème fraîche balances its gentle sweetness.
Inspired by the Victorian-era tradition of gin cups — secret botanical blends designed for garden parties behind London's high-walled townhouses — Sipsmith's London Cup channels a hidden world of English botanicals through their signature copper pot stills.
Be the first to comment.
Leave a comment
Sipsmith Sloe Gin
Sipsmith
Sipsmith's sloe gin proves that this traditional British style deserves a place alongside serious spirits. The key is restraint — enough sugar to round the sloe's natural astringency, but not so much that you lose the juniper backbone of the base gin. This is a bottle that bridges the gap between aperitif and after-dinner pour.
Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle Gin
Sipsmith
Sipsmith's Lemon Drizzle avoids the trap many flavored gins fall into—it never sacrifices its identity as a gin. The lemon is vibrant and natural, and the juniper stays firmly in the driver's seat. A versatile bottle that excels in both G&Ts and cocktails.
Ki No Tou Kyoto Old Tom Gin
Ki No Bi
Ki No Tou is the Kyoto Distillery's masterful take on the Old Tom style, bringing a distinctly Japanese sensibility to a classic British template. The restrained sweetness allows the exquisite botanical composition to shine—each sip feels like walking through a Kyoto garden in late October. A contemplative, harvest-season gin that rewards patience and attention.
Hendrick's Flora Adora Gin
Hendrick's
Flora Adora is Hendrick's most committed floral expression, and it works because the botanical balance never tips into perfume territory. The juniper backbone remains visible, and the result is a gin that feels like walking through a garden rather than smelling a bouquet. Ideal for gin-forward cocktails where you want elegance.
Forthave Spirits Blue Gin
Forthave Spirits
Forthave Blue is a gin of rare composure—a spirit that feels like the first quiet hour of daylight, when the world is still finding its color. Its floral-forward, juniper-balanced profile makes it ideal for a measured martini or a simple tonic serve that lets each botanical breathe. A thoughtful, artisan gin from one of Brooklyn's most meticulous small distilleries.
Brookie's Byron Dry Gin
Brookie's
Brookie's Byron Dry Gin is a compelling expression of terroir-driven gin making, where native Australian rainforest botanicals are harmonized with classical gin architecture. The persistent mineral thread running through nose, palate, and finish speaks directly to the volcanic soils and ancient geology of the Byron Bay hinterland. A gin that proves sense of place can be distilled as powerfully as it is grown.