FIRST JOURNEYS - EUROPEAN EXPEDITION- PIN 31 OF 40
ELEPHANT GIN - Hamburg, Germany
A ROAD TRIP WHERE EVERY STOP HAS A STORY
Back in northern Germany, I’ve stopped at Elephant Gin to kickstart Negroni Week with an Elephant Sloegroni — equal parts Elephant Sloe Gin, Amaro Montenegro and Knightor Rosé Vermouth.
Although the distillery is now based in Wittenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Elephant Gin was founded in Hamburg and the city remains an important part of its story.
It feels like a fitting birthplace for a gin inspired by exploration and adventure, as Hamburg has been one of Europe’s great port cities for centuries, with ships departing and returning carrying stories, spices and treasures from across the world.
As I mentioned in my previous Hamburg stop, this region is particularly known for growing apples and cherries, so it’s no surprise that apples feature in Elephant Gin. However, this is far from an ordinary gin, with some of the more familiar botanicals such as orris, coriander and angelica left out in favour of a more unusual lineup of 14 botanicals.
Atlas note:
Since this post was originally written, Elephant Gin’s conservation structure has evolved. The brand historically donated 15% of profits from gin sales to African elephant conservation projects, including support for organisations such as the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and this was a defining part of the brand identity. Their charitable partnerships and structure have since changed, so this original wording reflects the ethos and commitments associated with Elephant Gin at the time.
Alongside juniper, you’ll find ginger, lavender, elderflower, pimento berries, apples and pine needles, as well as several botanicals inspired by Africa — including baobab fruit, buchu, African wormwood, lion’s tail and devil’s claw (yes, these are all plants!). These ingredients reflect the founders’ love of Africa and their desire to create a gin that captures the spirit of travel, discovery and the landscapes that inspired them.
The Sloe Gin, launched in 2015, is probably one of the nicest sloe gins I’ve tried. Compared with many others, it is less syrupy sweet and has a higher ABV, allowing the fruit and botanical flavours to shine through. The bottle itself continues the story, decorated with glass beads handcrafted in Kenya by Maasai artisans.
You’ll find clues to the inspiration behind Elephant Gin all over the bottle — the postage stamp, maps, handwritten-style labels and, of course, the elephant. Founders Robin and Tessa Gerlach were inspired by their travels through Africa and particularly by the continent’s incredible wildlife. Their aim was to create a gin that not only celebrated Africa but also contributed towards protecting it.
Sustainability and social responsibility have been central to the brand from the beginning, reflected in everything from their packaging choices to their conservation work. It’s a gin with a story that stretches far beyond the glass.
From ancient ice to a modern gin — a spirit shaped by the Arctic.
The Sloegroni:
The Elephant Sloegroni is a beautiful twist on a classic Negroni. The sloe gin brings a gentle fruitiness without overwhelming the bitter complexity of the Campari-style flavours.
"Show me a bottle and I’ll tell you a story."