Portuguese apple gin: botanicals, how to serve an apple gin and tonic and what to pair it with

By Sérgio Carvalho, co-founder of Ra-Ro · View profile

About a 5 minute read

Apple gin is a gin in which apple sets the tone of the aroma alongside juniper. The Porta da Loja Apple Gin is made in Tibães, in Minho, northern Portugal, by the Casais family, with macerated Porta da Loja apples and seven botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica, lemon, orange, cardamom and liquorice. Serve it in a wide glass with plenty of ice and tonic water. It pairs well with smoked meats, cheese and dark chocolate with apple.

Apple gin at a glance

• What it is: a gin where fruit joins juniper and shifts its aromatic profile.
• The apple: Porta da Loja, an old variety tied to the history of Tibães Monastery.
• Botanicals: juniper, coriander, angelica, lemon, orange, cardamom and liquorice.
• How to serve: wide glass, lots of ice, tonic water and a thin slice of apple.
• What to eat with it: smoked meats, cheese and dark chocolate with dried apple.
• At Ra-Ro: the Apple Gin, €33.70, made to order.

What is a fruit-flavoured gin

Every gin starts with a neutral spirit of agricultural origin, flavoured with aromatic plants known as botanicals. In the European Union the rule is clear: juniper must be the predominant flavour. Everything else is up to the maker, and that is where fruit comes in. In a fruit gin, juniper is still there, but the fruit adds aroma, perceived sweetness and a different kind of freshness.

With Porta da Loja, the fruit is not a generic apple flavour. It is the Porta da Loja apple itself, macerated to give the gin its character: juicy, slightly tart, from an old orchard.

Where the Porta da Loja apple comes from

In Tibães, in Minho, the Casais family has been recovering and preserving the Porta da Loja apple, an old variety linked to the history of Tibães Monastery. It is an irregular apple, unconventionally beautiful and full of character, that came close to disappearing. We tell its story in Porta da Loja Apple, and you can taste it fresh with the Porta da Loja Apple (approx. 1kg), €5.30. To get to know the region, see our Minho page.

The botanicals in Porta da Loja Apple Gin and what each one brings

• Juniper: the backbone of any gin. Resinous, pine-like aroma and a dry finish.
• Coriander: gin usually uses the seeds, which add citrus and gently spicy notes.
• Angelica: the root gives an earthy base and helps bind and fix the other aromas.
• Lemon: sharp, lively freshness that lifts the apple's acidity.
• Orange: a sweeter, rounder citrus that softens the whole.
• Cardamom: warm spice with a cool, almost minty touch.
• Liquorice: natural sweetness and more body, with no sugar needed.

The result, in the producer's own words, is a fresh, aromatic craft gin, with apple layered over a classic base.

How to serve an apple gin and tonic

1. Glass: a wide balloon glass. The producer recommends it because it gathers the aromas and leaves room for ice.
2. Ice: plenty, in large, hard cubes. More ice melts more slowly and does not water the drink down.
3. Gin: pour the gin over the ice and stir for a few seconds to chill the glass.
4. Tonic: add well chilled tonic water slowly, down the side of the glass, to keep the bubbles. A neutral tonic lets the apple speak up.
5. Garnish: a thin slice of apple, ideally Porta da Loja, and a strip of lemon peel. A juniper berry or two if you like.

There is no single right ratio: start with more tonic than gin and adjust to taste.

What snacks go with apple gin

The freshness of a gin and tonic cuts through fat and smoke, so smoked meats are a natural match. The Smoked Pork Neck with Senra Cheese (€12.90), from Ponte de Lima, combines smoked meat and cheese in one slice. For a whole table, the Ponte de Lima Smokehouse Pack (€54.18) brings pork neck with Senra cheese, turkey ham, onion chouriço and folar bread. Learn more in Minho smoked meats.

With cheese, the apple's acidity and the citrus act like a light chutney. And speaking of preserves, the Porta da Loja Extra Apple Jam (€7.70) on cheese, with the gin alongside, closes the orchard circle.

Apple gin and chocolate

For dessert, the Dark Chocolate with Dried Apple (€8.80), from the same house, has at least 50% cocoa and small pieces of Porta da Loja apple. The bitterness of the cocoa and the sweetness of the apple meet the same fruit in the gin, plus a freshness that cleans the palate between bites. Try the gin without tonic, just on ice, next to the chocolate.

Where to buy Portuguese apple gin

At Ra-Ro, the Porta da Loja Apple Gin costs €33.70 and is made to order. If you enjoy local drinks, add the Apple Cider (€6.60), from the same family, or read our guide to traditional Portuguese liqueurs. We ship to Portugal, Europe, the USA, Canada and Brazil.

Frequently asked questions

What is apple gin?

It is a gin, with juniper as the main flavour, to which apple is added for fruity aroma and freshness. In the Porta da Loja Apple Gin, Porta da Loja apples are macerated.

Which botanicals are in the Porta da Loja Apple Gin?

Juniper, coriander, angelica, lemon, orange, cardamom and liquorice, plus the Porta da Loja apple.

How do you serve an apple gin and tonic?

In a wide glass with plenty of ice, the gin, well chilled tonic poured slowly and a thin slice of apple with lemon peel.

What food goes with apple gin?

Smoked meats and cheese, because its freshness cuts through fat and smoke, and dark chocolate with apple for dessert.

Where is the Porta da Loja Apple Gin made?

In Tibães, in Minho, Portugal, by the Casais family, who are recovering the Porta da Loja apple, an old variety linked to Tibães Monastery.

Where can I buy Portuguese apple gin?

At Ra-Ro, for €33.70, made to order, shipped to Portugal, Europe, the USA, Canada and Brazil.