Project Description

An icon since 1792. Now a gin.

Some scents are simply known to everyone. 4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser is probably one of the most famous fragrances in the world, at home in the Glockengasse in Cologne since 1792. What hardly anyone knows: in 1792, 4711 began life as Aqua Mirabilis, a botanical miracle water that was both applied to the skin and drunk. In 1810 it became a fragrance, so that the secret recipe could be kept.

Together with the perfumers of the House of 4711, we have translated the botanical DNA of Echt Kölnisch Wasser into a dry gin. Lemon, bergamot and neroli meet juniper, lavender and rosemary. The result tastes every bit as intensely of 4711 as it smells. After all, 4711 was never meant just for the nose.

The Icon since 1792.
Now a Gin.

4711 Cologne Gin

47.1% vol. with neroli, citrus and juniper

The 4711 Cologne Gin follows the fragrance pyramid of 4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser. Juniper joins the heart note – as befits a gin.

Top note
Top note
Lemon, bergamot, orange
Heart note
Heart note
Juniper, lavender, rosemary
Base note
Base note
Neroli, petitgrain

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A brand with a history

1792 – Legend has it that the Cologne merchant Wilhelm Mülhens is given the secret recipe for an Aqua Mirabilis. The miracle water is applied to the skin and drunk, either neat or mixed with wine.
1794 – The French occupying forces give the house in the Glockengasse in Cologne the number 4711. It becomes the brand name.
1810 – To carry on selling his miracle water as a drink, Mülhens would have had to disclose the recipe. He keeps the secret, and the miracle water becomes a fragrance.
Today – The botanicals of 4711 now come as a gin too: a creation in its own right, not a replica, developed by Siegfried and 4711.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

THE ESSENTIALS

A dry gin by Siegfried and 4711. Together with the perfumers of the House of 4711, we have translated the botanical DNA of 4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser into a gin recipe. Juniper meets lemon, bergamot, lavender, rosemary and neroli. 500 ml, 47.1% vol.

Fresh and citrusy, herbal and spicy, with a soft, floral finish. It tastes every bit as intensely of 4711 as it smells.

No. The gin contains neither Echt Kölnisch Wasser nor perfume. It is made from food-grade ingredients, with no artificial flavourings. The Aqua Mirabilis of 1792 was already made with natural ingredients alone, and the gin follows in that tradition.

No. It is a gin for drinking, with a flavour profile inspired by the world-famous fragrance.

No. If you’d rather not drink alcohol, take a look at our alcohol-free alternative, Siegfried Wonderleaf.

THE STORY BEHIND IT

Yes. The Aqua Mirabilis of 1792 was intended for both external and internal use. People drank it neat or mixed with wine. Today’s Echt Kölnisch Wasser is an eau de cologne and is not suitable for drinking.

In 1810, an official decree would have forced Wilhelm Mülhens to disclose the recipe if he wanted to carry on selling his miracle water as a drink. He kept the secret and from then on sold it as a fragrance.

It is not a replica. It draws on the botanicals that have defined 4711 since 1792: lemon, orange, bergamot, lavender, rosemary, neroli and petitgrain. Juniper is added to these.

In 1794, the French occupying forces gave Mülhens’ house in the Glockengasse in Cologne the number 4711. It became the brand name.

HOW TO DRINK THE GIN

As a Gin & Tonic at a ratio of 1:3, over large ice cubes, with a twist of lemon zest.

It’s a matter of taste, of course, but we recommend 1 part gin to 3 parts tonic water, i.e. 5 cl gin and 15 cl tonic water.

Fill a balloon glass with large ice cubes, then add the gin first, followed by your tonic water of choice. Finally, peel a fresh strip of lemon zest and drop it in as a garnish.

A twist of lemon zest. It picks up on the gin’s top note.

Of course. 2 to 4 cl in a nosing glass, after a meal or alongside a beer. Drink it at room temperature, which is when its powerful bouquet really comes into its own.

10 Gin & Tonics at 5 cl per drink.

THE GIN AND ITS BOTANICALS

It is defined by juniper, lemon, bergamot, orange, lavender, rosemary, neroli and petitgrain. The exact recipe remains a secret, of course – sorry ;)

Yes. It sits in the heart note, together with lavender and rosemary.

Soft and floral, with a long finish. Neroli is the blossom of the bitter orange.

Siegfried Rheinland Dry Gin is 41% vol., with linden blossom as its signature botanical. The 4711 Cologne Gin is 47.1% vol. and follows the aroma profile of 4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser.

No, it isn’t a limited edition – it’s here to stay.

INGREDIENTS AND TOLERANCE

Because the alcohol content may only be stated to one decimal place ;)

Yes, it is vegan and gluten-free.

The gin contains a lot of natural essential oils. It is therefore completely normal for them to show up, to a greater or lesser extent depending on the temperature, as a very slight cloudiness. This does not affect the quality in any way.

That’s not something we can decide for you. The gin contains natural citrus and herbal extracts and is rich in essential oils. If in doubt, please speak to your doctor.

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