Press Release: Long Road Distillers Introduces New Spirit, Sovereign Gin

Grand Rapids distillery releases new gin naturally colored with butterfly pea flower

Long Road Distillers has released a new spirit to their growing portfolio: Sovereign Gin. The new fixture to their year-round offerings is handcrafted from start to finish at the distillery on Leonard Street and is built from a botanical blend of juniper, lime peel, grapefruit peel, bay leaf, Thai basil and more. The most unique feature of the new spirit, though, is its brilliant violet hue. Sovereign Gin is naturally colored with butterfly pea flower and changes color to bright pink or royal blue based on the acidity of the spirit and what is mixed into it.

“This is one of our most exciting spirit releases yet,” said Kyle VanStrien, co-owner and co-founder of Long Road Distillers. “The packaging and spirit color alone is beautiful, but the flavor profile of this gin is what will hook enthusiasts.”

Sovereign Gin’s botanical blend is based off a small batch of gin the distillery produced several years ago and released just once. It was a hit at the time but needed something more to take it to the next level.

“The addition of butterfly pea flower as a natural coloring ingredient was a game changer for this spirit,” said Jon O’Connor, co-owner and co-founder of Long Road. “In our minds, the color changing effect when tonic or citrus is added brings the presentation of Sovereign Gin in line with the amazing flavor profile of the product. It may be our favorite gin ever, and that’s saying a lot up against the rest of our portfolio!”

Sovereign Gin is now available by the bottle or in featured cocktails at all Long Road Distillers tasting rooms, including at the distillery on Grand Rapids’ west side. It is also available via statewide distribution through Imperial Beverage, and can be found at spirit retailers, bars and restaurants.