FIRST JOURNEYS - THE HIGHLANDS TRAIL- PIN 02 OF 22
CROSSBILL DISTILLING, Scotland
A JOURNEY EXPLORING THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND
Our next stop takes us across Glasgow to the East End, where Crossbill Distilling has made its home in the famous Barras Market. Once one of Scotland's busiest street markets, the Barras has become a hub for independent businesses, artists and makers, making it the perfect setting for one of the country's most distinctive craft distilleries.
Crossbill takes its name from the Scottish Crossbill, Britain's only endemic bird species. This small finch is perfectly adapted to life amongst Scotland's native pine forests, where it feeds from the cones of Scots pine growing alongside the wild juniper that gives Crossbill Gin its unmistakable character. It's a fitting symbol for a distillery whose philosophy has always been to celebrate Scotland's own natural landscape.
For this stop on the tour, I've chosen Crossbill Staghorn Sumac Gin, a fascinating collaboration inspired by the North American Red Crossbill. Staghorn sumac may not be a familiar ingredient to many gin lovers, but it has a long history. Native American communities
traditionally steeped its crimson berries to make a refreshing pink lemonade, while in the Middle East the dried spice remains an essential ingredient in blends such as za'atar. Its bright, tangy citrus character and naturally high antioxidant content make it one of the most intriguing botanicals you'll come across.Crossbill pairs this vibrant ingredient with wild Scottish juniper and rosehip to create a gin bursting with fresh citrus, gentle spice and crisp Highland character. It's one of those bottles that proves just how exciting a carefully chosen botanical can be.
For today's serve, I've paired it with Troughton's Sparkling Blush Lemonade. Made without artificial sweeteners, flavourings or preservatives and blended with Sicilian lemons and raspberries, it perfectly complements the sumac's bright citrus notes.
The result is a wonderfully refreshing G&T that lets the gin's unique botanicals shine.
Sometimes the most memorable stories aren't the most complicated. Crossbill proves that with the right ingredients, a deep respect for nature and a strong sense of place, less really can be more.