Zesty and bittersweet, Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla is the perfect summerly getaway to the capital of Andalucía.
Stunning Giralda Tower, the Royal Alcazar Palace, breathtakingly beautiful Plaza de Espagna or even modern Metropol Parasol (one of the world’s largest wooden structures) are only few examples of many more. Sevilla is packed full of exciting sites, places, and monuments, one more amazing then the other.
Would you be surprised when I told you that one of my absolute highlights of Sevilla are the city’s many orange trees, though?
Home to more of around 30,000 of them, it’s no surprise Sevilla is also known as the ‘city of oranges’. When they burst into blossom in early Spring (usually at the end of February to early March), the city is transformed into a place of miracle and incredible scents. Later in the year, the sight of ripe sunny oranges hanging on the trees will tempt quite a few of the many visitors to plug down the fresh fruits to be enjoyed right then and there.
Trust me when I tell you that would not be a good idea. Not that you would get in trouble doing so legally. But the oranges growing in Sevilla (known as Seville oranges or citrus aurantium) are not the type you want to eat – they are famously bitter.
Believed to be a cross of pomelo and mandarin, Seville oranges are perfect to make orange marmalade, their juice is perfect for ceviche or to make a dressing for fish and vegetables – replacing the vinegar with the orange juice. The bitter taste of Seville oranges is also perfect to make the famous Duck a l’Orange.
If like me, you love a nice gin tonic, then I can recommend another enticing way to enjoy the bitter Seville oranges: Have a Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla.
Background: Tanqueray Gin
Back in the day when I started to discover gin and it became my favourite spirit, the gins one could choose from were still limited to few household names – with the recent gin boom leading to a nearly unlimited choice of craft gins only to emerge in the years after.
Yet, to this day one of those household names, 200-year-old Tanqueray, remains a source of sheer pleasure to me.
Founded in the 1830’s by Charles Tanqueray, who also was the mastermind behind many of the Tanqueray gins still produced today, the brand later merged with Gordon’s to become Tanqueray, Gordon’s & Co., which was bought by The Distillers Company, taken over by Guinness & Co. before it became United Distillers. Today, it’s part of Diageo.
Today Tanqueray 10 is perhaps the currently best-known gin globally, but Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla with its bitter-sweet orange aroma is the perfect fusion of classic with the unusual.
Tasting Notes: Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla
Zesty, bold, and bittersweet.
That’s Tanquaray Flor de Sevilla in a nutshell.
Launched in 2018 as a classic summer gin (but great to be enjoyed year-round), it is a classic London Dry Gin upgraded with bitter Seville oranges and orange blossoms.
It comes in the classic Tanqueray bottle, which by the way was created to reflect a cocktail shaker, and not as many seem to think based on the design, a fire hydrant.
Funnily enough, Flor de Sevilla with its orange tinge seems to support the latter assumption, though. Typical for all Tanqueray bottles, the crest of the bottle portrays a pineapple, a historic symbol for hospitality and prosperity.
For the Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla, bitter Seville oranges are distilled with orange blossom along with Tanqueray’s four classic botanicals found in their London Dry Gin: juniper, coriander, angelica, and sweet liquorice.
Nose: When poured, fruity-tart aromas of bitter oranges immediately unfold, followed by aromas of juniper, coriander, and a slight bitterness reminiscent of ginger.
Taste: Fruity, with strong aromas of bitter orange and a slight sweetness. After a while, aromas of earthy juniper and spicy coriander unfold, followed by hints of ginger and sweet liquorice.
Finish: Medium-long with a light sweetness and aromas of juniper and ginger.
My recommendation how best to enjoy Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla? A classic gin tonic with plenty of ice!
However, if you like it a bit more adventurous, go for a classic Italian Spritz or Negroni.
How to best enjoy Tanquaray Flor de Sevilla
A gin tonic lover or do you prefer a nice gin cocktail as your aperitif? Either way, Tanquaray Flor de Sevilla has it all to become your next favourite gin.
Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla Gin Tonic
You never go wrong with a classic Gin Tonic (or Gin & Tonic).
Zesty, bittersweet Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla add a nice zing without the need of additional ingredients.
Serves 1
40 ml Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla
160 ml tonic water
a squeeze of orange juice
In a cocktail glass, pour gin over ice. Top up with the tonic water and a squeeze of orange juice.
Garnish with an orange slice.
Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla Negroni
A twist to the classic Negroni is this version using the distinctive Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla adds an entirely new dimension to this classic cocktail.
Serves 1
40 ml Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla
40 ml Campari
40 ml Sweet Vermouth
Pour ingredients in a lowball glass over ice and stir. Garnish with an orange slice.
Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla Spritz
If the classic Italian spritz is for you, go ahead and give it a Andalucian twist.
Serves 1
50 ml Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla
50 ml soda water
50 ml prosecco
Pour gin in a highball glass over ice. Top up with soda water and prosecco. Garnish with an orange slice.
Final verdict
If you love gin, you need to add the Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla to your home bar. It’s the perfect gin to sip once the days are getting warmer. Once you do, it’s almost impossible not to get transported to the stunning capital of Andalucía, or anyplace else in the Mediterranean. The zesty, bold bittersweetness of this gin will also bring an entirely new dimension to any gin-based cocktail. Just go ahead and try for yourself.
Carrots and Tigers 