Dr Squid Gin: Britain's Bestselling Colour-Changing Squid Ink Gin
Consistently one of Britain's best-selling independent gins for 5 years | Made with real squid ink | Pours black, turns vivid pink with tonic | Handcrafted in Cornwall | Collectible engraved copper flask | 40% ABV
Key Product Information
- Distillery: Pocketful of Stones
- Location: Long Rock, Penzance, Cornwall
- Type: English Gin with Squid Ink
- ABV: 40%
- Volume: 70cl (700ml)
- Unique ingredient: Real squid ink
- Key botanicals: Vanilla, sea buckthorn
- Colour: Pours black, turns vivid pink
- Development time: 3 years
- Bottle: Engraved copper flask
- Sales status: Britain's bestselling independent gin
Tasting Notes
Nose
Savoury kitchen herbs balanced by fresh lemon zest and meadowsweet. Gentle oceanic aroma evokes fresh sea breeze with subtle coastal character.
Palate
Delicate juniper intertwines with herbal undertones. Smooth, rich mouthfeel from vanilla with tart, fresh fruit finish from sea buckthorn. Perfect balance of savoury and citrus elements.
Finish
Long, satisfying finish with spring blossom and pine. Subtle warmth from spices lingers. Touch of sea breeze character adds coastal intrigue.
Flavour Profile
Character: Earthy, citrus, floral, pine
Style: Smooth, slightly salty, with tart fruit notes and sweet vanilla roundness
The Extraordinary Colour-Changing Magic
Visual Theatre in Your Glass
Dr Squid Gin creates an unforgettable visual experience that transforms before your eyes:
- Pour Neat: Pours pure black, creating dramatic visual impact
- Add Tonic: Transforms into vivid pink as tonic water is added
- The Science: Squid ink reacts with the tonic's pH level, creating the colour change
- Consistency: Same magical transformation every time
Why Squid Ink?
Squid ink is an incredibly powerful ingredient. Only a minimal amount is needed both for distilling and creating the dramatic black colour. The squid ink adds subtle complexity and unique character while enabling the spectacular colour-changing effect.
Carefully Balanced Botanical Recipe
Core Botanicals
- Juniper: Classic gin foundation providing pine and citrus notes
- Coriander: Traditional gin botanical adding complexity and spice
Unique Signature Botanicals
- Real Squid Ink: Creates the dramatic black colour and colour-changing effect. Adds subtle savoury complexity
- Vanilla: Provides well-rounded mouthfeel and perceived sweetness, balancing the other botanicals
- Sea Buckthorn: Delivers tart, fresh fruit finish with bright citrus character
The secret recipe was developed in Penzance, Cornwall, drawing inspiration from coastal ingredients and maritime character.
What Makes Dr Squid Gin Extraordinary
- Britain's Bestselling Independent Gin: Consistently one of the best-selling independent gins in Britain since launch five years ago
- Spectacular Colour Change: Pours black, turns vivid pink with tonic water, creating unforgettable visual theatre
- Real Squid Ink: Made with authentic squid ink, not artificial colouring or flavouring
- Labour of Love: Three years in development from spring 2018, overcoming challenges with both recipe and copper flask design
- Cornish Craft Heritage: Handcrafted in small batches in Penzance, Cornwall, reflecting coastal character
- Collectible Copper Flask: Stunning engraved copper flask depicting Penzance scenery, wildlife, folklore and history
- Unique Flavour Balance: Vanilla sweetness perfectly balanced with sea buckthorn tartness and subtle savoury notes
- Maritime Character: Gentle oceanic aroma and coastal influence throughout
- Conversation Starter: The most talked-about gin at any gathering
Perfect For
Gin Enthusiasts Who Love:
- Unique, conversation-piece gins
- Visual spectacle and theatre
- Cornish craft spirits
- Coastal, maritime character
- Collectible bottles
- Smooth, balanced flavours
- Instagram-worthy drinks
Occasions:
- Impressive gifts for gin lovers
- Cocktail parties and entertaining
- Coastal or maritime-themed events
- Unique wedding gifts
- Collector's items
- Halloween and themed parties
- Bar cart statement pieces
How to Enjoy Dr Squid Gin
Pink G&T
50ml Dr Squid Gin poured over ice, top with premium Indian tonic. Watch it transform from black to vivid pink. No garnish needed for maximum visual impact.
Squid Mule
Pour Dr Squid Gin over crushed ice, top with ginger beer for a great Gin Mule variation. The spicy ginger complements the vanilla sweetness.
Neat
Serve chilled to appreciate the pure black colour and complex botanical profile before adding mixers.
Pro Serving Tips
- Use clear glassware to showcase the dramatic colour transformation
- Add tonic slowly to create layered colour effects
- Serve at gatherings for maximum "wow factor"
- Perfect for video content and social media
The Engraved Copper Flask
Dr Squid Gin is presented in a stunning copper flask that's as remarkable as the liquid inside. The engraving depicts the scenery, wildlife, folklore, and history surrounding the Penzance distillery.
Why Copper?
The copper flask was part of the three-year development journey. The distillery team almost conceded multiple times that it wouldn't be possible to create both the perfect recipe AND the engraved copper flask. But the vision was so compelling they couldn't let it go.
Collector's Value
The copper flask has become a collector's item in its own right. Many customers keep the flask long after enjoying the gin, using it as a decorative piece or unique vase.
Penzance Heritage
The engravings tell the story of Cornwall's rich maritime history, local wildlife, and folklore, connecting each bottle to its coastal origins.
About Pocketful of Stones Distillery
Pocketful of Stones began as a dream shared by a group of friends working in Central London bars. After learning extensively about spirits and falling in love with their rich history, they abandoned the crowds of London for the wilds of Cornwall.
Now based in Long Rock, just outside Penzance, the distillery pours everything they learned in London into making exceptional spirits in Cornwall. The distillery draws inspiration from the rugged beauty of the Cornish coast, and their commitment to quality and innovation is evident in every bottle.
The name "Pocketful of Stones" reflects their dream of getting back to their roots, the outdoors, and the ocean. Their cellar beginnings in a London pub, tinkering with gin recipes around a copper still, evolved into a thriving Cornish distillery producing some of Britain's most distinctive spirits.
Their philosophy centers on producing everything with the utmost integrity to their craft and respect for ingredients and the environments that influence their recipes.
A Labour of Love: The Three-Year Development
Dr Squid Gin represents three years of dedication, experimentation, and persistence from spring 2018 through to launch.
The Challenges
- Recipe Balance: Finding the perfect proportion of squid ink (a powerful ingredient requiring only minimal amounts)
- Vanilla Integration: Developing the right mouthfeel and perceived sweetness without overwhelming other botanicals
- Sea Buckthorn Tartness: Achieving the ideal tart, fresh fruit finish
- Copper Flask Design: Creating the engraved flask proved as challenging as perfecting the recipe
Why They Persisted
Despite numerous setbacks and moments where they almost gave up, the team believed so steadfastly in the concept that they couldn't let it go. The vision of a colour-changing gin in a beautiful copper flask was too compelling to abandon.
The Result
Their persistence paid off. Dr Squid Gin has been one of Britain's best-selling independent gins for five consecutive years, proving that innovative spirits with distinctive character resonate with gin lovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Dr Squid Gin taste like squid or fish?
A: No! The squid ink adds subtle complexity and savoury notes but doesn't taste fishy. The dominant flavours are vanilla sweetness, tart sea buckthorn, and traditional gin botanicals. The squid ink is used sparingly for colour and unique character.
Q: Why does it turn pink when you add tonic?
A: The squid ink reacts with the pH level of tonic water, creating a chemical reaction that transforms the colour from black to vivid pink. This happens consistently every time.
Q: Can I use the copper flask after the gin is finished?
A: Absolutely! Many customers keep the beautiful engraved copper flask as a decorative piece, vase, or collector's item. It's a work of art in itself.
Q: What makes this different from other colour-changing gins?
A: Dr Squid uses real squid ink rather than butterfly pea flower (the common colour-changing ingredient). This creates a unique black-to-pink transformation rather than the typical blue-to-pink change. The flavour profile is also distinct.
Q: Is this suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
A: Dr Squid Gin contains real squid ink, so it's not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.
Q: How should I store this gin?
A: Store upright in a cool place away from direct sunlight. The copper flask provides excellent protection. Quality remains excellent for years.
Q: Does it work with all tonics?
A: The colour change works with any tonic water. Premium Indian tonics work particularly well for both flavour and visual effect.
Understanding Cornwall's Craft Gin Movement
Cornwall has become a hotbed of innovative craft gin production, with distilleries drawing inspiration from the county's dramatic coastline, maritime heritage, and unique botanicals. Dr Squid Gin exemplifies the creativity and innovation that characterizes Cornish gin-making.
The use of coastal and maritime influences sets Cornish gins apart. Ingredients like sea buckthorn, coastal herbs, and in Dr Squid's case, squid ink, create distinctive flavour profiles impossible to replicate elsewhere.
Pocketful of Stones represents the new generation of English gin makers who combine respect for traditional gin-making with bold innovation. Dr Squid Gin proves that craft spirits can be both serious in quality and fun in presentation.
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