Meet Croatian couple Iva and Neven and their colour-changing gin

by croatiaweek
May 9, 2022
in Food & Wine

Meet Iva and Neven - the Croatian couple behind colour-changing gin

Iva and Neven and their colour-changing gin

Iva and Neven Jercel, a couple from Samobor in Croatia who have been married for ten years, love to travel, socialise, and also have a passion for fine drinks.

Iva and Neven decided to create something different and decided to get involved in the production of colour-changing gin.

“As the basis of every good gin, there is pine (juniper) and coriander, which are the reason for the woody notes. We also use bitter orange peel, rose petals, ginger which gives it a citrus aromatic note, and nutmeg and cloves. We will not give away all the ingredients, let something remain a secret,” Iva, who decided with her husband to produce this interesting product, told us.

Neven and iva

However, many are curious in how gin changes colour and which colours it can change?

Iguana gin

“The main and most important ingredient by which Iguana gin is recognisable are blue pea flowers. In the process of maceration with blue pea flowers, aged enzymes in the bottle are responsible for the beautiful indigo blue colour of gin. The special feature of this ingredient is that it is sensitive to PH acidity and in contact with the tonic (if the tonic has acidity) the colour of gin changes from beautiful indigo blue to an even more attractive pink colour. If the magic still doesn’t happen, add a slice of lemon or lime to the glass and the colour change is guaranteed. The magic of colour goes from light pink to darker pink, depending on the amount of gin in the glass,” reveals Neven, who is also known to many as a former Croatian boxing representative.

Iguana gin

The wow effect of Iguana gin is guaranteed and the drink has become a big hit, and as we found out, especially among women. They are most thrilled by the colour change, while men fall for the taste with ease.