A Gold Worth Celebrating

We're incredibly proud to announce that Weekender Jalapeño Lemon Gin has been awarded Gold at the 2026 New Zealand Spirits Awards.

But this wasn't just any Gold.

It was the only Gold Medal awarded in the Flavoured Gin category.

In a category featuring 26 flavoured gins from across New Zealand, our bold little bottle stood alone at the top.

For a gin that's never been afraid to be different, we couldn't ask for a better endorsement.

Breaking the Rules (In the Best Way)

When we first created Weekender Jalapeño Lemon Gin, we knew it wasn't going to be everyone's idea of a traditional flavoured gin.

Fresh citrus. A subtle kick of jalapeño. Bright, refreshing and just a little bit unexpected.

The goal wasn't to create something gimmicky—it was to create a gin that made people smile after the very first sip.

The balance had to be just right.

Too much chilli and you'd lose the freshness.

Too much lemon and you'd miss the warmth.

Finding that perfect harmony has always been what makes this gin special, and it's incredibly rewarding to have that recognised by some of New Zealand's most respected spirits judges.

Judged Against the Best

The New Zealand Spirits Awards are regarded as one of the country's premier spirits competitions, bringing together hundreds of entries from both local and international producers.

This year saw 430 entries judged by an experienced panel of industry experts, with judges commenting on the continually improving quality and craftsmanship of New Zealand spirits.

Receiving a Gold medal is an achievement.

Receiving the only Gold in the category is something we're exceptionally proud of.

A Win for the Whole Team

Awards like this don't happen overnight.

They come from countless hours of recipe development, tasting, refining, bottling, packing orders, pouring samples at events, listening to customer feedback and always striving to make something we're proud to put our name on.

To everyone who's ever picked up a bottle, shared it with friends, recommended it to someone else or visited us at a food show or expo to say hello - thank you.

You're a huge part of this journey.

If You Haven't Tried It Yet...

Now might be the perfect excuse.

Whether you're already a fan or you've been curious about the combination of jalapeño and lemon, this award confirms what we've always believed:

Bold flavours, done well, can be something truly special.

Serve it simply with premium tonic, plenty of ice and a fresh lemon wheel, or shake it into a spicy summer cocktail for something a little different.

Here's to More Weekends Worth Celebrating

Winning Gold is an incredible milestone, but it's also motivation to keep creating spirits that surprise, delight and bring people together.

From all of us at Blush Merchants - thank you for supporting independent New Zealand spirits.

And to our little bottle with a spicy streak...

Shop the Weekender Collection here.