There’s something rather special about cardamom. It may be small, but this little green pod packs a wonderfully complex punch and it’s one of the fabulous botanicals that helps give Soulmate Gin its distinctive award winning character.
We’re excited to share the next edition of botanical spotlight, taking a closer look at some of the ingredients that go into our scrumpitous gin, exploring where they come from, what they taste like and, most importantly, why we chose them… After fennel and ginger, it’s time to discover the fascinating world of cardamom.
So, what exactly is cardamom?
Cardamom is a spice that comes from the seeds of several plants belonging to the ginger family. It’s traditionally associated with countries such as India and Guatemala and has been prized for centuries for its distinctive aroma and flavour. There are two main varieties: green cardamom and black cardamom, it’s only the green ones that we are interested in. Known for its fresh, fragrant character. Its flavour is wonderfully difficult to describe with just one word—it can be citrusy, slightly sweet, floral, herbal and gently spicy all at once. And that complexity is exactly what makes it such an interesting botanical.
Why use cardamom in gin?
Gin is all about balance. Juniper provides the unmistakable foundation, but it’s the carefully chosen combination of botanicals that gives each gin its own personality. Cardamom brings a beautiful aromatic lift. It can add a subtle warmth and spice while also contributing fresh, almost citrus-like notes. Used carefully, it doesn’t overpower the other botanicals—instead, it helps bring them together and for us that’s the beauty of botanical distilling.
A little goes a long way
One of the fascinating things about cardamom is its intensity. Those tiny pods contain highly aromatic essential oils, which means you don’t need a huge amount to make an impression. Too much can quickly dominate our gin, while the right amount adds an elegant layer of flavour that you may notice without immediately being able to identify. That subtlety is part of the craftmanship.
Cardamom and No.6 Soulmate Gin a match made in heaven!
At Soulmate Spirits, we’re passionate about creating spirits with character. Our botanicals aren’t simply there to tick a box on a recipe—they’re carefully selected to contribute something to the finished spirit. In No.6 Soulmate Gin the cardamom delivers that wonderful combination of warmth, freshness and aromatic complexity, helping to create a gin that is beautifully balanced and full of interest. It’s a perfect example of why we love working with botanicals.
Look closely at a tiny green pod and it might not seem particularly remarkable. But open it up, release those fragrant seeds and suddenly you discover a whole world of flavour.
And how should you enjoy it?
For a simply delicious serve, pour yourself a generous measure of Soulmate Gin over plenty of ice, add your favourite premium tonic and finish with a garnish of lime to complement those bright botanical notes. And then, perhaps most importantly, take a moment to enjoy it!
Small ingredient. Big personality. Thats Cardamom!
