THINK of a typical Burns Night drink and your mind might automatically jump to whisky.
But one Borders couple have launched a new and rather unusual Burns Night tipple to toast the Bard – haggis-flavoured gin – and say it’s best served with Irn Bru.
Debbie Rutherford, 52, and husband Simon, 51, dreamed up this world-first concoction at their micropub in Kelso.
The imaginative couple, who run Rutherfords Micropub, began their gin-making journey back in 2017 and the haggis-flavoured gin is the latest in their wacky flavours.
Flavours until recently included Parma Violets and rose petals, but in the run-up to Burns Night they wanted to try something different and give their customers an alternative to whisky.
Debbie said: “The idea has always been to have really unusual drinks.
“We have got our own gin over a year ago and have been experimenting.
“I suggested Parma Violet, and said ‘it’s like Marmite’ – we then started thinking about different things, and thought ‘what about haggis?’. It would be something really different.”
But after pressing on, they discovered it could be made to taste good after all.
“It’s more like spiced gin,” Debbie said. “It’s actually really nice with Irn Bru.”
She suggested serving the gin with Irn Bru, rather than a traditional gin and tonic.
“Irn Bru has a bit of spice to it, but it works well with tonic as well,” Debbie said. “We’re happy with the flavour.”
If you’re interested in buying the Haggis Infused Gin it will be for sale behind the bar at Rutherfords and also here for £24 (50 cl bottle).
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