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Best Tea Flavoured Gins – UK Distilleries Using Real Loose Leaf

By • Updated July 2026

The gin boom may have settled into something more discerning, but 2026 has delivered a genuinely interesting convergence: distillers are finally treating tea as a botanical worthy of proper respect. Not a flavouring. Not an essence. Actual loose leaf tea distilled alongside juniper, citrus, and spice. The results range from Yorkshire's unapologetically malty black-tea backbone to Hokkaido's umami-rich green tea expressions — and they're forcing us to reconsider what a 'proper' G&T can taste like.

What separates these spirits from the tsunami of flavoured gins is intent. The best tea gins are built around the tea's character — its tannins, its astringency, its extraction profile — rather than simply adding a whisper of 'tea notes' to an existing recipe. That means working with quality leaf, understanding grading systems, and, crucially, knowing when to stop. Too much tea and you've brewed a spirit that tastes like regret; too little and you're just another gimmick in a pretty bottle.

We've reviewed four expressions currently available on Amazon.co.uk that use real tea leaf in the still. One is a genuine Yorkshire collaboration distilled with the nation's favourite brew; two are Japanese releases showcasing sencha and gyokuro; and one brings yuzu and green tea into a floral, citrus-forward mix. Here's what actually works — and what's worth your G&T budget.

How we assess these products

Our picks are research-led. We compare like-for-like on quality, value, ease of use and suitability for the job, drawing on manufacturer specifications and patterns across large numbers of verified customer reviews rather than cherry-picked quotes. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, but this never affects how we rank or what we recommend. Read our full editorial standards.

Best Overall
Masons Yorkshire Gin Tea Edition 70cl bottle with black label featuring Yorkshire Tea branding

1. Masons Yorkshire Gin Tea Edition | 70cl | 42% ABV | Made with Real Yorkshire Tea | Award-Winning Craft Gin | IWSC Gold Outstanding Winner

★★★★★ (The Yorkshire Champion)

This is the real deal: a genuine collaboration between Masons of Yorkshire and Yorkshire Tea, where the signature black tea blend is distilled — not infused — alongside London Dry botanicals in a copper still. The result is a beautifully dry, malty, tannic gin that holds its ground against tonic without a hint of sweetness. Cardamom and coriander add gentle warmth, lemon citrus lifts the mid-palate, and the finish is all black tea. It's a proper gin for tea drinkers and a serious loose leaf expression for gin nerds. Gold Outstanding at the IWSC, Best British Contemporary Gin at the World Gin Awards, and 125+ international medals for the distillery. Yorkshire's most awarded independent, and it shows.

Pros:
  • Distilled with real Yorkshire Tea loose leaf, not flavoured or infused
  • Beautifully dry, malty, tannic backbone that holds against tonic
  • Gold Outstanding IWSC, Best British Contemporary Gin World Gin Awards
  • Long, dry black-tea finish with subtle spice and citrus lift
Cons:
  • May be too dry for drinkers who prefer sweeter, floral gins
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Best Premium
Roku Gin Noryo Tea Edition 70cl bottle with Japanese-inspired label highlighting sencha and gyokuro botanicals

2. Roku Gin Noryo Tea Edition- 70cl- Crafted from six Japanese botanicals.

★★★★★ (The Umami Expression)

Roku's limited-edition Noryo Tea Edition is the second release in their Seasonal Festival Collection, and it's a masterclass in restraint. Built around increased proportions of sencha and gyokuro — Japan's most prized green teas, picked at peak flavour — this gin balances fresh tea aromas with rich umami depth and Roku's signature delicate botanical notes. Inspired by the Japanese tradition of sipping green tea by the river in summer heat, it's a harmonious, contemplative spirit that rewards slow sipping as much as mixing. The quality of the leaf is palpable, and the craftsmanship is impeccable. A standout for anyone who takes their tea — and their gin — seriously.

Pros:
  • Crafted with sencha and gyokuro at peak flavour, genuine umami depth
  • Harmonious balance of fresh tea aromas and delicate botanicals
  • Limited edition Seasonal Festival Collection release
  • Inspired by traditional Japanese summer tea culture
Cons:
  • Limited availability; may be hard to restock once sold out
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Best Citrus-Forward
Etsu Japanese Gin 70cl bottle with minimalist Japanese design featuring yuzu and tea leaf botanicals

3. Etsu Japanese Gin – Premium Craft Gin 70cl 43% ABV | Distilled in Hokkaido with Yuzu, Tea Leaves & Botanicals | Light Floral Japanese Spirit | Ideal for Gin & Tonic, Cocktails & Japanese Gifts

★★★★☆ (The Floral Yuzu)

Distilled on Hokkaido's northern island, Etsu Japanese Gin brings yuzu citrus peel and green tea leaves into a light, floral, citrus-driven expression. Expect vibrant grapefruit, orange blossom and rose balanced with smooth juniper and gentle sweetness — it's refreshing, versatile, and beautifully presented in a bottle inspired by Japanese design. The green tea here plays a supporting role rather than leading the charge; it adds a subtle vegetal note and a hint of astringency, but yuzu and florals dominate. It's an excellent all-rounder for mixing — particularly in spritz, martinis, and bright summer G&Ts — and makes a cracking gift. Just don't expect the tea to shout as loudly as it does in the Yorkshire or Roku expressions.

Pros:
  • Vibrant yuzu citrus and floral botanicals, light and refreshing
  • Versatile for G&Ts, martinis and cocktails
  • Stylish Japanese-inspired bottle, ideal gift presentation
  • Distilled in Hokkaido using traditional techniques
Cons:
  • Green tea plays a supporting role; not as tea-forward as some
  • Sweeter and lighter than purists may prefer
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Best for Sipping
Ki No Bi Tea Gin 70cl bottle in gift box with minimalist Japanese design and green tea botanical notes

4. KI NO BI Tea Gin, 70 cl with Gift Box

★★★★☆ (The Graceful Sipper)

Ki No Bi's Tea Gin is a graceful, contemplative spirit that works as well sipped neat as it does in a Martini or long drink. Delicate citrus leads, followed by a warming green tea aroma and distant juniper — it's clean, refreshing, and remarkably long on the finish. The extraction here feels carefully calibrated; the tea never overwhelms, but it anchors the entire profile with a gentle, grounding astringency. Presented in a handsome gift box, it's a refined choice for drinkers who appreciate subtlety over bombast. That said, the tea character is more understated than the Yorkshire or Roku offerings, and at this price point you're paying for craft and elegance rather than sheer tea intensity.

Pros:
  • Delicate citrus and warming green tea aroma, beautifully balanced
  • Clean, refreshing, super-long finish
  • Ideal for sipping, Martinis and long drinks
  • Presented in gift box, refined and elegant
Cons:
  • Tea character more understated than other expressions
  • Higher price point for the tea intensity delivered
Check Price on Amazon

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