New London Light Midnight Sun
New London Light Midnight Sun is a bittersweet, Nordic-inspired spirit that balances tart wild berries and floral elderflower with the earthy resin of pine and a distinct, savory hint of sea salt
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0%
Serving Size
- 25ml
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In Cocktails
New London Light Midnight Sun
New London Light Midnight Sun shifts the focus toward the rugged, coastal landscapes of the Nordic regions. It is designed as a sophisticated, pink-hued aperitif that offers a complex alternative to a fruit-forward pink gin.
The First Impression (The Nose)
The aroma is immediately more floral and ethereal than its predecessor. It opens with a delicate combination of elderflower and wild lavender, quickly followed by the crisp, bracing scent of fresh pine needles. As it sits in the glass, you’ll detect a hint of grassy dill and a subtle sweetness from wild seaberries, creating a scent that feels like a cool breeze on a Scandinavian coastline.
The Body (The Palate)
On the tongue, Midnight Sun is bittersweet and multi-layered. It leads with the tart, juicy profile of lingonberries and elderberries, which provides a natural fruitiness without being sugary. This sweetness is quickly grounded by an earthy, resinous middle note of Icelandic moss and pine. The most unique element, however, is the subtle salinity; the inclusion of kelp and samphire gives the spirit a savory “oceanic” depth that makes it feel remarkably mature and refreshing.
The Lingering Note (The Finish)
The finish is long, dry, and evocative of the sea. The initial berry brightness fades into a pleasant elderberry tartness and a herbal dryness from sage and alexanders. There is no “heat” like the ginger in First Light; instead, it leaves a cooling, mineral impression on the palate, almost like the taste of sea spray, which makes it an exceptional palate-cleanser.
New London Light Midnight Sun Gin finds its inspiration in the dramatic, coastal landscapes of the Nordic regions and the midsummer phenomenon where the sun never truly sets.
The Nordic Inspiration
The name “Midnight Sun” is a tribute to the Scandinavian summer. The Salcombe Distilling Co. team wanted to capture the specific sensory experience of the high latitudes—where the air is crisp, the flora is hardy, and the sea is ever-present.
The history of this bottle is essentially an exploration of Scandi-foraging. The creators looked at the traditional ingredients used in Nordic cultures for centuries, specifically:
Wild Berries: Lingonberries and elderberries, which have been staples of Northern European diets and preserves since the Viking Age.
Coastal Flora: Kelp and samphire, reflecting the historical reliance on the sea for sustenance in rugged coastal communities.
The “Pink Gin” Evolution
Historically, “Pink Gin” was a British Navy invention (gin mixed with Angostura bitters). In the modern era, it became synonymous with very sugary, fruit-heavy spirits. The History of Midnight Sun is a deliberate attempt to reclaim that category. Launched as the second expression in the New London Light series, it was designed to prove that a “pink” spirit could be sophisticated, dry, and savory rather than just a sweet “candy” drink. It was crafted to be a non-alcoholic equivalent to a premium dry rosé or a complex aperitif.
Modern Conservation
A key part of this spirit’s “history” is its future-facing commitment to the ocean. From its inception, Midnight Sun was tied to marine preservation.
Because the spirit uses ingredients like kelp, the brand partnered with the Marine Conservation Society.
A portion of every bottle’s profit goes toward protecting seagrass forests—the “lungs of the ocean.” This makes the history of the drink not just about what was gathered from the coast, but how the brand works to keep those coastlines healthy.
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New London Light (NLL) is a bold collection of contemporary non-alcoholic spirits and aperitifs crafted by the multi-award-winning Salcombe Distilling Co. in South Devon. Founded by Howard Davies and Angus Lugsdin—who first met as sailing instructors—the brand was born from a desire to bring the same level of complexity, heritage, and “spirit” found in premium gin to the alcohol-free market. Rather than simply creating “watery” botanical infusions, the NLL team treats non-alcoholic production with the rigor of a traditional distillery, prioritizing a “grown-up” flavor profile that emphasizes dryness and a sophisticated, warming “bite.“
The brand is deeply rooted in maritime history and environmental stewardship. Its name is a tribute to the New London Harbor Light in Connecticut, a beacon that once guided 19th-century “Salcombe Fruiters”—fast-sailing schooners—as they raced across the Atlantic with cargoes of exotic fruits and spices. This spirit of adventure is woven into their “1% for the Ocean” initiative, where a portion of every bottle sale supports the Marine Conservation Society to help regenerate vital seagrass habitats. By combining this rich history with modern “liquid engineering,” New London Light has positioned itself as a benchmark for clarity and quality in the mindful drinking movement.
