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Illustration of Gin and Citrus Cured Salmon (Gravlax)
Scandinavian · Starter

Gin and Citrus Cured Salmon (Gravlax)

Salmon cured with salt, sugar, dill and gin for two days.

Time
20 min
Serves
6
Skill
Medium
Heat
None
Diet
Pescatarian

Pairing at a glance

SpiritPlymouth GinEcho CocktailGin MartiniComplement SpiritHendrick’s GinComplement

The pairing logic

Juniper and dill link the dish to gin, and crisp bubbles cut the silkiness.

  • herbal
  • citrus
  • silky
  • salty-sweet
What to pour

DRINK WITH THIS

Wine

Great matchCleanse Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne · non-vintage · 12.0% Bubbles refresh after each rich slice. See the wine →

Spirits

Perfect matchEcho Plymouth Gin Botanical Gin · 41.2% Earthy juniper and orange match the cure. See the spirit → Great matchComplement Hendrick’s Gin Botanical Gin · 41.4% Cucumber and rose suit delicate salmon. See the spirit → Great matchEcho Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin Botanical Gin · 47.0% Herbal, complex gin mirrors dill and juniper. See the spirit →

Cocktails

Perfect matchComplement Gin Martini Botanical Gin A crisp martini beside silky gravlax. See the cocktail →

Rules used: Complement — Similar flavours that echo and support each other. Contrast — Opposites that balance: sweet against spicy, acid against rich. Cut — Tannin or acidity that slices through fat and richness. Echo — One shared flavour or ingredient links the plate and the glass. Cleanse — Bubbles, acidity or cold that refresh the palate between bites. Regional — What grows together goes together: same place, same table. Learn more →

The recipe

HOW TO MAKE IT

Ingredients · serves 6

Method · prep 20 min

  1. 1

    Mix salt, sugar, juniper, pepper, dill and lemon zest.

  2. 2

    Place the fillet skin-side down on cling film, sprinkle with gin and pack the cure on top.

  3. 3

    Wrap tightly, put on a tray with a weight on top and chill for 36–48 hours, turning once.

  4. 4

    Rinse off the cure, pat dry and slice thinly on the diagonal.

Cook’s tip

Use sushi-grade or previously frozen salmon for safety.

MORE FOR THE TABLE

Non-veg Indian · Starter Chicken Tikka 45 min · ●●● Pescatarian French · Starter Oysters with Mignonette 15 min Pescatarian Scottish · Starter Smoked Salmon Blinis 25 min

Please enjoy responsibly. Pairings are suggestions based on classic flavour principles, not rules. Check ingredients for allergies and cook meat and poultry thoroughly.