Hendrick’s
Last updated 16 May 2026
The gin that kicked off the contemporary-style boom in the early 2000s. Made at William Grant's Girvan distillery in Ayrshire using two different stills — a Carter-Head and a copper pot — before blending. The unusual dark apothecary bottle was designed to stand out, and twenty years later it still does.
Hendrick's is the gin that proved Scotch whisky companies could make world-class gin too. At £28-35 it's not cheap, but it delivers exactly what it promises — a soft, floral, cucumber-forward G&T that converts people who think they don't like gin. It's not the most exciting Scottish gin anymore (that crown goes to The Botanist or Isle of Harris), but it's still the most reliable. The one you buy when you don't know what your guest drinks.
Tasting notes
Instantly recognisable for its cucumber-and-rose signature. Soft, floral, unmistakably restrained on the juniper. More perfumed than punchy — this is a gin for people who don't want their G&T to taste like a pine forest. The finish is clean and short, which makes it dangerously easy to drink on a warm afternoon.
- Nose
- Cucumber, rose, subtle juniper, hint of citrus peel
- Palate
- Soft and floral. Cucumber dominates, with rose petal mid-palate and gentle spice underneath
- Finish
- Clean, short, slightly sweet. Leaves you wanting another sip.
Flavour profile
- juniper2/5
- citrus2/5
- floral5/5
- herbal3/5
- spice1/5
- sweet3/5
Botanicals
11 botanicals headlined by its signature cucumber and Bulgarian rose petal — the combination that launched a thousand contemporary gins
How it’s made
- Production
- Hendrick's uses an unusual dual-distillation process. Botanicals are distilled separately in a 1948 Carter-Head still (which produces lighter, more delicate flavours) and a small copper pot still (which gives richer, fuller character). The two spirits are then blended together, and cucumber and rose essence are infused at the end — they're never distilled, which is why those flavours come through so distinctly.
- Still type
- Carter-Head + Bennett copper pot (both over 60 years old)
- Base spirit
- Neutral grain spirit
Perfect serve
Fever-Tree Indian Tonic, cucumber ribbon, tall copa with plenty of ice.
- Garnish
- Cucumber ribbon (not a slice — a long thin peel, run down the inside of the glass)
- Ratio
- 1:3 gin to tonic (50ml gin, 150ml tonic)
- Ice
- Fill glass completely. Large cubes melt slower = less dilution.
Fill the glass completely with ice — large cubes if you have them. Pour tonic slowly down a bar spoon to preserve the fizz. Some people add a thin slice of rose petal in summer — worth trying once.
Cocktails to make with Hendrick’s
Hendrick's Martini
Coupe
- 50ml Hendrick's
- 10ml dry vermouth (Noilly Prat)
- Cucumber slice to garnish
Stir gin and vermouth with ice for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a thin cucumber slice.
Cucumber Collins
Highball
- 50ml Hendrick's
- 25ml fresh lemon juice
- 15ml sugar syrup
- Soda water
- Cucumber slices
Muddle 3 cucumber slices in a tall glass. Add gin, lemon, syrup, and ice. Top with soda. Stir gently.
Food pairings
Hendrick's works best with light, delicate food — anything that would be overpowered by a juniper-heavy gin.
- Smoked salmon canapés
- Cucumber sandwiches
- Light white fish (lemon sole, sea bass)
- Goat's cheese salad
Where to buy
Supermarket availability
| Supermarket | Stocked | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| tesco | Yes | £30 |
| sainsburys | Yes | £29 |
| waitrose | Yes | £32 |
| morrisons | Yes | £30 |
| asda | Yes | £28 |
| co-op | Yes | £31 |
Other expressions from Hendrick’s
Hendrick's Orbium
The original infused with quinine, wormwood, and blue lotus. More bitter and complex — like a gin that's already halfway to being a Negroni. Not for G&T beginners.
Hendrick's Neptunia
A coastal variation with sea botanicals. Light, maritime, subtle. The weakest in the range — interesting concept but the sea element gets lost in a G&T.
Hendrick's Flora Adora
The most floral variant. Like walking through a garden in June. Better than Neptunia — the floral notes actually come through in a G&T. Best with elderflower tonic.
Visit the distillery
The Hendrick's Gin Palace at Girvan is a purpose-built visitor experience. Tours include a walk through the distillation process, a look at the Carter-Head and Bennett stills, and a guided tasting of the range including limited editions. Book ahead — slots fill up.
From £20
Book a tourFrequently asked questions
+Is Hendrick's gin Scottish?
Yes. Hendrick's is distilled at the Girvan Distillery in Ayrshire, Scotland. It's owned by William Grant & Sons, the same family that owns Glenfiddich and Balvenie whisky distilleries.
+What is the best tonic for Hendrick's?
Fever-Tree Indian Tonic is the classic pairing — its clean, neutral profile lets the cucumber and rose come through. Avoid heavily flavoured tonics (Mediterranean, Elderflower) that compete with Hendrick's subtle botanicals.
+Can you visit the Hendrick's distillery?
Yes. The Hendrick's Gin Palace at Girvan offers tours and tastings from around £20. It's a purpose-built experience centre, not a working distillery floor visit. Booking is essential — tours sell out.
+Is Hendrick's gin worth the price?
At £28-35 it's mid-range for a premium Scottish gin. For a reliable, crowd-pleasing G&T that works for guests who don't normally drink gin, it's excellent value. If you want more complexity, The Botanist (46%, 22 botanicals) offers more for similar money.
+What is the difference between Hendrick's and Hendrick's Orbium?
Orbium uses the same base gin but adds quinine, wormwood, and blue lotus blossom. The result is more bitter and complex — closer to a Negroni-ready gin than the soft, floral original. Orbium costs around £4-5 more.
+Is Hendrick's available in supermarkets?
Yes. Hendrick's is widely available in Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Asda, Morrisons, and Co-op. Prices typically range from £28-32. It's not stocked in Aldi or Lidl.
Cocktails to make with Hendrick’s
Negroni
The Negroni is the bitter, complex, intensely red Italian classic — gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, equal parts. Served over a large ice cube with an orange peel. One of the few cocktails where Scotland's juniper-forward gins (The Botanist, classic London Dry-style Scottish gins) genuinely outperform the international standards. The right showcase for a serious Scottish gin.
Gin Martini
The Gin Martini is the cocktail that requires the most attention to the spirit itself. Gin, dry vermouth, ice, lemon peel or olive. No mixers, no sweeteners, nowhere to hide. The right Scottish gin in a properly-made Martini is one of the great drinking experiences. Hendrick's specifically is internationally famous for its Martinis, and several other Scottish gins — The Botanist, Caorunn — produce serious Martinis too.
French 75
The French 75 is the most reliably elegant brunch cocktail there is — gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, topped with champagne. Named after a French 75mm field gun from the First World War (the cocktail was said to hit like one). The right Scottish gin makes a French 75 that genuinely competes with anything served in a champagne flute in Paris.
Compare with similar gins
The Botanist
contemporary · islay
Made at the Bruichladdich whisky distillery on Islay, distilled with 22 hand-foraged Islay botanicals on top of nine classics. Run through the same 'Ugly Betty' Lomond still that's now spent more time making gin than the whisky it was originally built for.
Edinburgh Gin
contemporary · lowland
Edinburgh Gin Classic is the workhorse — a soft, juniper-light contemporary gin made in central Edinburgh. The brand's flavoured variants (Seaside, Rhubarb & Ginger, Raspberry) get more shelf space and probably more sales than the Classic, for better and worse.
Caorunn
contemporary · speyside
Made at Balmenach whisky distillery on Speyside, Caorunn (pronounced "ka-roon") uses five Celtic botanicals on top of the classic six. Vapour-infused in a unique copper berry chamber, with a clear apple note that sets it apart.
Isle of Harris Gin
contemporary · islands
The bottle that launched a thousand Instagram posts. Isle of Harris Gin uses sugar kelp hand-harvested from sea lochs around Harris as its signature botanical. The community-owned distillery in Tarbert has done more for the island’s economy than any other single business.
Where to stay near Girvan Distillery
Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of Hendrick’s distillery.
Booking links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Plan your distillery visit
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