There are gins that whisper their intentions, and then there are those that announce themselves with the confidence of a well-travelled cocktail. Elephant Orange and Cocoa Gin belongs firmly in the latter camp — a London Dry that dares to lead with two of the most seductive flavour notes in the botanical kingdom.
A London Dry With Character
The Elephant brand has built a reputation for gins that carry weight and purpose, and this expression is no exception. At 40% ABV, it sits at the standard strength for a London Dry, which tells me the distillers are relying on botanical craft rather than sheer alcohol punch to deliver complexity. The pairing of orange and cocoa as lead characters is inspired — these are ingredients that have travelled the old spice routes together for centuries, and there's a natural harmony between the bright, volatile oils of citrus and the deep, roasted warmth of cacao.
What I find most compelling about this gin is its ambition within the London Dry framework. The category demands that juniper leads, yet the naming suggests orange and cocoa are given room to express themselves fully. That balance — tradition with a twist of the exotic — is precisely the kind of tightrope walk that separates interesting gins from forgettable ones. At £27.95, it occupies a fair price point for a gin with this level of character, offering genuine distinctiveness without straying into novelty territory.
The Verdict
Elephant Orange and Cocoa Gin earns a solid 7.7 out of 10. It promises something distinctive within a well-established category, and at this price, it represents genuine value for anyone seeking a London Dry with personality beyond the conventional.
Best served over ice in a copa glass with a quality tonic, a wheel of dehydrated orange, and a dusting of cocoa powder — ideally on a slow evening when you have nowhere else to be.
