Producer says new raspberry, rhubarb and ginger spirit is ideal for summer.

Just a year on from launching their first gin (St Giles) and months after releasing the Divers' Edition, Simon and Alison Melton of the Norfolk-based distillery have released a new fruity gin perfect for summer.

'With an ever-increasing popularity in fruity gins it was about time we took advantage of our local resources and distilled something special,' says Alison, going on to talk about the Raspberry, Rhubarb and Ginger Gin.

'We wanted to continue our tradition of being inspired by locally-sourced ingredients so naturally we turned to the variety of raspberry producers around us in the glorious Norfolk countryside. As the idea first came to us out of season, an experimental batch was made from Spanish raspberries, but of course these lacked the sweetness and flavour of our good old Norfolk ones.

'However, what gives our new gin the real depth of fruity flavour was Pete Margree, our distiller's, decision to add rhubarb to the mix.'

The rhubarb used in the first batch of the gin (40% ABV) comes from Pete's garden and has a very long local connection. Pete's grandfather Charlie Margree lived in Hellesdon and was a keen gardener. Pete's twins Catherine and Charlie used to love playing in their great grandfather's garden and several years ago he gave them each a rhubarb cutting to grow, which have now flourished and formed the basis of this latest launch from St Giles.

Alison adds: 'It can be enjoyed simply over the rocks, but is best served with a splash of plain premium tonic and a frozen raspberry to garnish. The gin is carefully created in our custom-made copper still, Anna, and does exactly what it says on the bottle. We've trapped the feeling of summer in a delightfully smooth, light gin.'