Drink of the Week: James Gin American Mustard

Beverages touting unusual flavors often fall into the gimmick category—able to grab a headline but not designed to linger. And while “mustard gin” certainly does catch the attention, the James Gin American Mustard accomplishes something else as well: It’s tasty. Originally produced as an experiment under the name “American Ramstud” (a cheeky anagram meant to skirt TTB regulation), the American Mustard is now under its rightful name and available across the U.S.

Founder James May is better known in the UK as a journalist, author, and co-presenter of automotive television show Top Gear. A genuine passion for gin led him to partner with master distiller Hugh Anderson in rural Wiltshire, England. But the American Mustard is not their first untraditional collaboration. Their first release, Asian Parsnip Gin, raked in a slew of awards, and was followed by a Navy Strength, the American Ramstud, the earthy London Drizzle, and a citrus-forward California Dreamgin’.

Newly back on shelves under its rightful moniker, the American Mustard gin leans on botanicals like mustard seed, gherkins, dried tomato, caraway seed, cubeb pepper, and bay leaf, among others, to create its warm and savory profile. While it doesn’t taste specifically like mustard itself, the gin’s overall effect is reminiscent of the piquant condiment. It makes the American Mustard a natural match for savory applications like a Bloody Mary or dirty Martini, perhaps enjoyed alongside a hot dog. $49.99, us.jamesgin.com