47 Botanicals. One Extraordinary German Gin.

Monkey 47 is one of the world's most complex and celebrated gins, and its reputation is entirely deserved. Crafted in small batches deep in Germany's Black Forest by Black Forest Distillers, this Schwarzwald Dry Gin draws on an astonishing 47 handpicked botanicals — a blend of local Black Forest herbs, exotic spices, and rare ingredients that no other gin comes close to matching. The name references both the botanical count and the 47% ABV at which it is bottled — a deliberate choice that gives the gin the structure and intensity to carry its extraordinary complexity. Lingonberries foraged from the Black Forest floor, cranberries, and spruce tips sit alongside more traditional botanicals like juniper, citrus peel, and coriander, creating a gin that is simultaneously rooted in place and genuinely global in its ambition. At HK$650 for 500ml, this is a serious gin for serious drinkers.

Tasting Notes

The nose is immediately captivating — a complex, aromatic rush of juniper, fresh pine, and citrus zest, with wild herb and floral notes emerging as the gin opens up. On the palate, the 47 botanicals reveal themselves in waves: bright lingonberry and cranberry fruit, warm spice from cardamom and pepper, and a resinous pine and spruce character that is unmistakably Black Forest. The 47% ABV gives the palate real presence and intensity without harshness. The finish is long, complex, and warming — spiced, herbal, and deeply satisfying.

Signature Cocktails

Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Sour

• 50ml Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin
• 25ml fresh lemon juice
• 15ml simple syrup
• 1 egg white (optional, for silky texture)
• Ice
• Garnish: dehydrated lemon wheel, 3 drops Angostura bitters

Method: If using egg white, dry shake all ingredients first (no ice) for 10 seconds to emulsify. Add ice and shake hard for a further 12 seconds. Double-strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a dehydrated lemon wheel and 3 drops of Angostura bitters on the foam. The gin's botanical complexity and 47% ABV cut beautifully through the citrus, creating a sour of remarkable depth and length.

Monkey 47 Forest G&T

• 50ml Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin
• 150ml premium tonic water
• Ice
• Garnish: sprig of fresh thyme, slice of pink grapefruit, 3 juniper berries

Method: Fill a large balloon glass with ice. Pour in the Monkey 47, then gently top with tonic water. Stir once to combine. Garnish with a fresh thyme sprig, a slice of pink grapefruit, and a few whole juniper berries. The garnish is designed to echo the gin's own botanicals — herbal, citrus, and resinous — turning a simple G&T into a full sensory experience worthy of the Black Forest itself.

Life's too short for bad Gin.