Think of summertime refreshments, and you might immediately conjure images of lime- or lemon-based beverages. These are usually garnished with mint and tinted blue — all vaguely influenced by Western portrayals of the season and poolside bar menus. Look towards the East, and you might find a different interpretation of the warmest time of the year. In Japan, the pursuit of cooling down, otherwise known as Noryo, is a journey rooted in tranquillity, experienced by all five senses.

First came spring; now arrives summer. As a follow-up to Roku Gin’s Sakura Bloom Edition that launched in 2024, the second instalment of the Seasonal Festival Collection comes in the form of the Roku Gin Noryo Tea Edition. The expression is crafted with the philosophy of Shun, where ingredients are honoured at their seasonal peak — in both freshness and ripeness — to exude their best flavour. Two of Roku Gin’s six signature botanicals, Gyokuro green tea and Sencha tea, are harvested at their peak and take centre stage in the Noryo Tea Edition.

Much like the interplay of sound, light and sensation in a gust of summer breeze that causes leaves and shadows to dance, the Noryo Tea Edition interpretation of summer is far from being one note. Sencha brings forth an effervescent freshness, while the Gyokuro imbues the gin with a delectable savoury note. Decorated with a washi-style label featuring green accents and embossed botanical elements, the expression tastes as fresh as it looks. You first catch a whiff of grassiness mixed with soft citrus, then you taste the harmonious blend of umami and sweetness. Eventually, you stop fighting the urge to decipher where the tea ends and the gin begins; you end with a medley of aromas reminiscent of the coolness once the sun begins to set, before night falls.

Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our October 2026 issue.