Weekend Sip: Toast National Pickle Day with this pickle-flavored gin perfect for martinis

Citadelle Gin, a French-made gin that’s been around since 1996, has just introduced its cornichon-inspired gin. Cornichons are pickles, of course — the tiny ones that are a staple in France. (What’s a good charcuterie board without them?) It’s part of what the brand calls “a new collection of unexpected gins” that carries the moniker “Les Excentriques” (as in eccentrics).

Guillaume Larry, a managing director with Maison Ferrand, the French spirits company behind Citadelle, says it’s indeed all about experimenting with different flavors. It’s also about showcasing Citadelle’s unique gin-making process (it has to do with how different flavors — or botanicals, as they’re called — are carefully infused into the final product). Either way, Larry says “creativity has been a defining factor of the brand since the beginning.”

For Citadelle, the formula seems to be working: The brand says it has averaged 18% annual sales growth in the U.S. over the past five years, with an increase of 38% in 2021 alone.

What we think about it

If you’re expecting a mouthful of pickle flavor, Citadelle’s cornichon gin might be a surprise. The flavor here is more subtle — more like a quick whiff of pickle. But perhaps that’s a good thing: The gin is very well balanced and has all sorts of pleasant notes, particularly of the salty kind.

How to enjoy it

This is a gin tailor-made for a martini. Just be sure to add a cornichon or two as a garnish.