Ironworks Rose Punch. Photo: Colleen Thompson

Lunenburg, N.S.-based Ironworks Gin makes a traditional London dry, which means it gets its flavour from the steeping of the botanicals with no added sugar. It starts with high-quality, charcoal-filtered, neutral spirits made from Canadian grain and macerate, distilled with seven botanicals.

Five of these are classic gin ingredients: juniper berry, coriander, orris root, angelica and lemon peel. The other two give it a distinct Lunenburg County feel: rosehips from the Rosa Rugosa bushes that grow next to the harbour and balsam fir buds harvested in the spring.

The result is a delicate spirit with soft, evergreen top notes.