Bloedlemoen (pronounced “Blue’d Le Moon”) is a South African gin celebrated as the world’s first blood orange gin. Crafted with Tarocco blood oranges sourced from grower partners in the Western Cape, it was conceived in 2015 by a trio of industry experts: sommelier Pierre Strydom, chef Mike Jones, and winemaker Stefan Coetzee. The gin is designed to be both refreshing and complex, offering a balance of citrus brightness and the layered warmth of carefully selected spices.

Bloedlemoen adheres to the London Dry style, blending maceration and vapor infusion to distill its botanicals. This meticulous process yields a premium, small-batch gin known for its consistency and quality. It incorporates ten natural botanicals, all sourced from local Western Cape farms: juniper, blood orange, orange peel, grains of paradise, coriander, cassia bark, nutmeg, liquorice root, angelica root, and cardamom. The range includes a classic gin and an amber gin, the latter infused with local fynbos and honeybush for added depth and color.

While “London Dry” is often mistaken for a geographical designation, it actually refers to a style defined by a botanical-forward profile and the absence of added sweeteners or artificial flavors. South Africa’s gin heritage dates back to the 19th century British colonial era when gin was produced for soldiers during the Anglo-Boer War. Today, the country’s exceptional botanical diversity, particularly near the coasts, positions Cape Town as a hub for innovative, botanical-rich gins. This surge in gin production reflects the region’s ability to craft spirits that are as distinctive as its natural landscape.