Aviation Cran & Oran Gin

Cran & Oran Gin comes from the Aviation brand and is listed as a United States gin from Massachusetts. The name points to a cranberry-and-orange flavored gin, a different style from the juniper-first London dry gins on most shelves. Expect the fruit to lead the aroma, with orange peel brightness up front and a tart, slightly dry cranberry note behind it. Juniper and the usual gin botanicals most likely sit underneath as structure instead of the main flavor. Treat that as the typical profile for this kind of gin, not a measured tasting note for this bottle. The fruit-forward profile suits drinks that can use a little tartness. A Gin & Tonic is the simplest test. Choose a plain, crisp tonic and skip flavored ones, since the gin already supplies the fruit. Use a 1:3 ratio of gin to tonic, then add an orange wheel or a few fresh cranberries as garnish. A Tom Collins is a strong match too. The orange and cranberry notes work well with lemon juice and soda, and a lemon wheel keeps the drink from tasting sweet. A rosemary or thyme sprig adds an herbal edge. In a Negroni, a gin like this softens the bitterness of Campari and leans toward the orange and berry side of the sweet vermouth. Orange peel is the obvious garnish, and it's worth trying one with a slightly lower vermouth ratio. A Martini will taste fruitier than the classic version. If you try one, stir it with dry vermouth and a twist of orange or lemon, and use less vermouth than usual so the cranberry doesn't get lost. Cranberry juice and a squeeze of lime also work with it for a longer, tart highball. Serve long drinks in a balloon glass or a tall highball filled with plenty of cold, solid ice, which slows dilution and keeps the fruit notes clean. For stirred drinks, chill the bottle and the glass beforehand. For food, expect it to pair with roasted poultry, soft cheeses, and anything with cranberry or citrus in the sauce.