Unusual spirits and intriguing ingredients: Saffron Gin

There are lots of liqueurs trending right now. Really unique, interesting flavors. Some are new, and some have been around a while, but have been a bit neglected. They look great on the shelf . . .intriguing and tempting. But how do you know if you really want to invest in a bottle that you may or may not use?

In the next couple of days we are going to take a look at four unique spirits: Saffron Gin, Bison Grass Vodka, Root, and Compass Box Orangerie. We will be sharing their back story, flavor profile and pricing. We will even tell you where to go in Atlanta to enjoy a handcrafted cocktail using the ingredients! Then you can better determine if you want to pick up a bottle for yourself.

Helping us out on this are our friends from Tower Wine & Spirits. Once you decide to purchase, give Gregg a call or stop by one of their two locations to stock up and begin creating your own cocktails with these unique liqueurs. They are keeping all four in stock.

Gabriel Boudier’s Saffron Gin
The people at Boudier’s do things right. They began producing rich flavored cassis in French Dijon back in the 1870s. Their collection has grown and now includes a fabulous saffron gin, made in limited numbers at a micro distillery. The gin is made from a French colonial recipe using eight natural botanicals. This unique recipe was discovered in the archives of France’s colonial past during the whole England-French debate over who really was ruling India at the time.

Before you even open the bottle, this spirit grabs your attention. The saffron produces a delightful bright orange hue with golden undertones that you can’t help but spot from across the room. The gin has a strong, beautiful fragrance. Of course the taste is a rich, spicy saffron, but you also get the exotic notes of juniper, lemon, coriander, orange peel, angelica, and fennel. A simple splash of tonic with the saffron gin makes for a refreshing and enjoyable libation!

ECCO takes it a step further
We stepped into ECCO one late, scorching afternoon to escape the heat and grab a cold libation. I saw “The Zafaran” on the menu and could not order it fast enough! This will be on my list of fascinating cocktails for a long time to come. The recipe is somewhat simple – gin and tonic. But consider that the gin is the Gabriel Boudier Saffron Gin and the “tonic” is a remarkable house made Shindeldecker tonic. (That’s the celebrated Seth Shindeldecker, who has left his mark all over the cocktail menu at ECCO.)

But what really makes this cocktail shine are the custom icy-hot cubes. Large cubes of ice are created by combining water, a habanero simple syrup and actual strands of saffron. As the cube slowly melts, the sweetness of the sugar, the burn of the habanero, and the spice of the saffron are slowly released making each sip unique.

The Zafaran is a great way to experience this beautifully crafted saffron gin. The ECCO cocktail menu states that this drink “will remind you that while temptation is a reality, there are repercussions in all the things we do.” The temptation is to take your spoon and start chipping away at the cube to hasten the process. Don’t. Just let the goodness happen.

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Gabriel Boudier Saffaron Gin is available at Tower Wine & Spirits for $22.50. Get yourself a bottle and start creating!