Recommended by feelgarda

Artisanal Saffron Gin from Pozzolengo - KROKU Lake Garda

The evening we discovered KROKU (and didn't expect it)

We were at a get-together with friends in a bar on Lake Garda when Nicola – a professional bartender – pulled out this bottle. "Guys, you have to try this." You can tell from the color alone that it's not your usual artisan gin: it has this particular, almost golden hue that sparks your curiosity.

"It's Pozzolengo saffron," he explained, in that tone of someone about to reveal a secret. And we, a bit skeptical at first (come on, saffron in gin?), sniffed it. And that's when something unexpected happened.

That scent that transports you back to the morainic hills

Seriously: that scent literally took us back to walks through the morainic hills of Lake Garda. You know when you're walking in nature and you stop just to take a deep breath? That feeling. A mix of flowers, aromatic herbs, and that earthy smell that's so good.

By then, we were already won over, but Nicola didn't stop. He took some Indian Tonic, ice, and prepared us this long drink which – we swear – is one of the most refreshing and delicate things we've ever tasted. The notes of angelica gently welcome you, then the Pozzolengo saffron arrives: definite, present, but without overpowering. A balance you rarely find in a saffron gin.

The story behind the bottle (the real one)

Naturally, at that point, we bombard Nicola with questions. "But how on earth do you create such a craft gin?" And here the story gets even better.

He tells us that KROKU was born from his desire to dedicate to his children the result of years of expertise in spirits and a deep knowledge of the Lake Garda area. It's not marketing; it's literally a labor of love. A father who wants to leave something tangible, authentic, that speaks of roots and excellence.

As we continue to drink it – yes, we had another round, we couldn't stop – we understand exactly what he means. Every sip tells of the territory, the care, the passion. It's not just a spirit; it's a piece of the history of the morainic hills in a bottle.

Why we recommend it (after serious testing)

Look, we've tried many artisanal gins from Lake Garda. It's part of our job, but also our personal pleasure (someone has to do it, right?). And KROKU stands out for several reasons:

  • The Pozzolengo saffron is not a whim: it's the soul of the product, you can taste it, you can experience it
  • The artisanal production is palpable – it's not one of those industrial gins that tastes only of alcohol and nothing of the territory
  • It's versatile: fantastic neat if you want to appreciate its complexity, perfect in a gin and tonic if you want something easier
  • It has a true story, not one invented by the marketing department
  • That scent truly transports you to the hills – and that's not rhetoric, it's what we all felt

Who do we recommend it to?

If you're the type of person who, when drinking a craft gin, wants to hear a story, not just taste the alcohol. If you love Lake Garda and want to take home (or gift) an authentic piece of this territory. If you like to surprise guests with something they've never tried before. Or simply if you're curious to discover what happens when Pozzolengo saffron meets a spirit made with expertise and passion.

Oh, and if you want more info or have questions – like "what should I pair it with?" or "can I use it to make a Negroni?" – write to us! We're here for that too.

Bring home the scents of the morainic hills. Discover KROKU, the gin that tells the story of Lake Garda.

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