In recent years, a new wave has been rising in the world of spirits — coastal gins.
These gins draw their inspiration, and often their essence, directly from the sea. Whether through ingredients, minerality, or the spirit of the landscape itself, they embody a sensory link to the ocean.
And among them, Etsu Pacific Ocean Water stands apart as a Japanese interpretation of the trend — refined, poetic, and deeply tied to its place of origin: Hokkaido.
What Makes a “Coastal Gin”?
“Coastal gins” are defined not just by geography but by sensation.
They evoke the crisp freshness of sea air, a mineral edge, and the calm rhythm of the tide — translating maritime influence into aroma and flavor.
As Vogue highlighted in its article Why Coastal Gins Are Making Waves Right Now, some distillers go straight to the source:
“For Etsu’s Pacific Ocean Water, filtered, purified ocean water is added to bring the gin’s final alcohol level down to 45%.”
In other words, ETSU Gin doesn’t just imitate the sea — it contains it.
The Japanese Approach: Purity and Harmony
In Japan, distillation is a craft shaped by patience, precision, and respect for nature.
Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, is known for its extreme seasons — icy winters, lush summers — and pristine natural resources. Its pure waters have long made it a sanctuary for sake and shochu production.
ETSU Gin builds on this heritage. Each batch is distilled with botanicals such as yuzu, bitter orange, angelica root, and liquorice — all brought together by a base of molasses spirit, adding roundness and texture rarely found in gin.
This balance between freshness and depth reflects the Japanese pursuit of harmony (wa): a quiet equilibrium where every note supports the whole.
Etsu Pacific Ocean Water — The Spirit of the Sea
What makes Etsu Pacific Ocean Water truly unique is its reduction with real Pacific Ocean water.
After distillation, the gin is carefully diluted with filtered and purified ocean water to reach 45% ABV, resulting in a distinctive mineral profile and subtle salinity.
As Decanter describes in Coastal gin: Soak up some seaside spirit:
“Japanese gin brand Etsu takes things even more literally, adding seawater to its Pacific Ocean Water Gin … It has a lovely bright, lifted nose that combines notes of yuzu with sea salt and ozone, followed by a drying, viscous, very saline and briny palate.”
This interplay between citrus and salinity creates a tasting experience that feels both grounded and ethereal — “like a sea breeze cutting through delicate aromatics.”
The Sea off Satta in Suruga Province” (1858), Utagawa Hiroshige
A timeless vision of Japan — where the force of the sea meets the stillness of Mount Fuji.
How to Enjoy It
Etsu Pacific Ocean Water shines in pure form or in light, refreshing cocktails that highlight its maritime character.
Try it in a Tomato Basil Smash, where the sweetness of tomato and the freshness of basil echo the gin’s mineral edge.
Or enjoy it in a Pacific Gin & Tonic, a saline, refreshing expression, carried by the purity of the ocean.
Perfect pairings include seafood, sushi, oysters, or ceviche — dishes where the gin’s subtle salinity enhances natural umami.
Tomato Basil Smash
Ingredients:
- 45 ml Etsu Pacific Ocean Water
- 15 ml La Tomato liqueur
- 22.5 ml fresh lemon juice
- 10 ml simple syrup
- 4 fresh basil leaves
- 1 cherry tomato
The Future of Coastal Gins
As spirits enthusiasts look for authenticity and a sense of place, coastal gins are poised to become a defining category.
But few embody it as naturally as ETSU Gin, where the ocean is not an inspiration — it’s an ingredient.
“In Japan, the sea is both a source of life and a place of contemplation. That duality — vitality and serenity — defines the soul of Etsu Pacific Ocean Water.”
With its roots in the distilling traditions of Hokkaido and a philosophy anchored in harmony, ETSU Gin continues to bridge craftsmanship and nature — bottle by bottle, wave by wave.
As the tides continue to inspire, a new chapter is on the horizon.
In 2025, ETSU Gin will unveil a limited edition Pacific release — an ode to the sea and the spirit of craftsmanship that shaped it.
Stay tuned — the journey goes deeper.
