Thread: Hendrick's Gin

I'm thinking about making an after shave from Hendrick's gin, which is a little over 40 per cent alcohol and has traces of cucumber and rose in addition to juniper. Any suggestions on how I might use it? Straight? Cut with a witch hazel solution? Or distilled water?

A splash of tonic?

Have you thought about adding some glycerine to tone it down a bit and provide a bit of softness for the skin?

Originally Posted by DZEC

Have you thought about adding some glycerine to tone it down a bit and provide a bit of softness for the skin?

No, I haven't. How much would you suggest?

Don’t know - I haven’t tried this myself. I jut like the way glycerine adds some softness to my face when it is incorporated into a shave soap or a balm. I think I would experiment with proportions using a very small batch first. That way you won’t waste too much gin.

One thing that might be interesting would be to try it blended with Thayer's cucumber and rose toners. Say, 50ml:25ml:25ml gin:cucumber:rose (with a little bit of glycerine? or aloe vera?) for starters.

Sounds like you are about to move into the artisan aftershave business.

Those ingredients sound reasonable. Experiment will determine the correct proportions.

Good luck and please report your findings.

I forgot to mention what causes me to have a bias against scented aftershaves and colognes. My work requires me to visit offices that are “scent free” zones, so I can’t wear any kind of scented product during the workday. I even have to be careful not use aromatic shave soaps. My preferences for after shaving face treatment include simple balms and natural non-aromatic products like shea butter, glycerine or plain witch hazel. By the time I get to where I have to be any residual scent has dissipated.

I have a few simple suggestions on what to do with a bottle of gin, but it is only 9 in the morning and I would rather wait until after the work day.

Originally Posted by MrZ

I have a few simple suggestions on what to do with a bottle of gin, but it is only 9 in the morning and I would rather wait until after the work day.

Yes, that is the flip side of this coin. Apparently, the recommendation with a Hendrick's gin & tonic is to add a slice of cucumber, instead of a wedge of lime.

Originally Posted by DZEC

I forgot to mention what causes me to have a bias against scented aftershaves and colognes. My work requires me to visit offices that are “scent free” zones, so I can’t wear any kind of scented product during the workday. I even have to be careful not use aromatic shave soaps. My preferences for after shaving face treatment include simple balms and natural non-aromatic products like shea butter, glycerine or plain witch hazel. By the time I get to where I have to be any residual scent has dissipated.

I can't imagine that the trace amounts of cucumber and rose would have much lasting effect here, but I understand what you mean. My main concern here would be arriving to work smelling like I'd already taken to the bottle!