The name Dipple Tipple & Co may not be immediately familiar to you. But if you enjoy a good gin, several of the spirits, and liqueurs on their website will be.
Laura Dipple-Johnstone (I see what you did there Laura) has brought together a range of spirits available on her website. Brands you’ll recognise, like Salford Rum, Forest Gin and Big Hill Distillery. She also has a range of gins, rums and liqueurs from Faith & Sons, and No Name Spirits from distiller Filipe Sousa, based here in Manchester.
Felipe has a habit of getting really creative with spirits. Under the brand Faith and Sons, he’s created classical gin, and a huge range of gin liqueurs, along with a spiced rum, and a pink rum. Under the No Name brand, you’ll find even more gin liqueurs – Dandelion and Burdock, Pineapple and Coconut, Orange Marmalade.
For Summer 2020 the two have collaborated to bring you three gin liqueurs – Passion Fruit, Rhubarb and Orange, and Chocolate and Orange. Yes, you read that right, Chocolate and Orange.
These are designed to be sipped on their own, enjoyed in Prosecco, or mixed into cocktails. And lucky me, got my hands on a gift set, so I can tell you just what they’re like!
Let’s begin at the beginning, with the lightest of the three.
The Rhubarb and Orange Gin Liqueur sits at a comfortable 18% ABV. As some of you may remember, a gin needs to be 37.5% to be called a gin, so a gin liqueur sits at a lower, and softer percentage, like this one. I must admit, this is probably my favourite of the three. The tartness of the rhubarb is softened by the orange and the sweetness of the liqueur, but whereas with some it can be lost a little, and taste more like a boiled sweet, this is still there. When it comes to the gin element, in all of these the juniper is very soft and way in the back of the palate.
This would make a less boozy G&T if you’re cutting back, or add some Prosecco or Champagne, and a slice of orange for something to sip at a barbecue in the garden, or on the park with a picnic.
Onto the second, the Passion Fruit Gin Liqueur. Again this comes in at 18% ABV, and the amount of passion fruit in this liqueur is evident by the colour and viscosity of the liqueur. The passion fruit gives it that classic sharp but sweet flavour, and again, the juniper and gin elements are very much softened.
I can easily see this being substituted in a Porn Star Martini, or again, splashed into something fizzy. In fact one of my best friends might actually need this as a birthday present for just that reason.
Finally, we come to the Chocolate and Orange Gin Liqueur. This sits at a lower ABV of 17%, and pours like liquid chocolate. The gin elements are almost totally overwhelmed by the rich cacao, and orange oil flavours. Think the texture of Baileys, but the flavour of Terry’s Chocolate Orange.
Obviously, it’s creamy nature will mean that it’s not one to add to a Prosecco. But I can see it in an Espresso Martini, a twist on a White Russian or simply poured over ice cream. In fact it would be fantastic in a chocolate pudding. Which means I might need some more to add to a recipe. Something like a self saucing chocolate pud?
These liqueurs and many more are available online, in full size, and gift packs at Dipple & Tipple.