Gin inspired by York’s chocolate history is flying off the shelves

Those who have tried it describe it as “Christmas in a glass”.

And a gin inspired by the Terry’s Chocolate Orange has become an early festive best seller as locked-down drinkers get into the spirit early. 

York Gin are struggling to keep up with demand for the drink since it went on sale on 1 November.

The company makes the gin only two miles from the old Terry’s factory where the Chocolate Orange was invented and made for decades. It’s a limited release just for Christmas.

York Gin’s Master Distiller and co-founder Harry Cooke said: “We gave it a soft launch last week on 1 November thinking a few regular customers might fancy giving it a go.

“But since the day it launched it’s been far and away our best seller – it’s already netted us several thousand pounds in its first few days. We’re having to work overtime to keep up with demand.”

Zesty and boozy

York Gin Chocolate & Orange is distilled with fresh oranges and cocoa beans along with nine more classic gin botanicals including juniper, coriander and lemon peel.

The company have recently won a string of gold medals at top spirits competitions for their other gins including London Dry, Old Tom and a super-strength Outlaw gin inspired by Guy Fawkes. 

The Chocolate Orange was invented in York in 1932 and was made in the city until 2005.  All the world’s Chocolate Oranges are now made in France. 

York Gin co-founder and marketing director Emma Godivala said: “The Chocolate Orange is the taste of Christmas. But this year boozy Chocolate Orange is the taste of lockdown too.

“After several days of record online sales, we can definitely say Christmas has come early this year.”

York Gin Chocolate & Orange (42.5% ABV) is available from yorkgin.com at £39 for a 70cl bottle.