Few gins arrive with a story quite like Song Cai, a spirit that carries the green, mountainous heart of Vietnam into the glass. At Grappa, we pour it for guests who love a gin with genuine sense of place, something curious and aromatic to sip while the kitchen sends out plates of seafood and garden vegetables.
About the Distillery
Song Cai is made by Song Cai Distillery, widely recognized as the first craft gin distillery in Vietnam. Founded by Daniel Nguyen, the distillery works hand in hand with networks of multi-generational foragers, farmers and foresters who gather endemic botanicals across the country’s forests and highlands. The result is a deeply Vietnamese expression of gin, rooted in traditional herbology and a respect for the land and the people who tend it.
Botanicals & Style
This is a dry gin reimagined through a Southeast Asian lens. Rather than leaning only on classic European botanicals, Song Cai draws on hand-foraged native ingredients such as green turmeric, jungle pepper, black cardamom and heirloom pomelo. Juniper remains the anchor, but it is woven through with bright citrus, warm spice and a leafy, almost wild freshness. The style is elegant and exploratory, fragrant rather than heavy, and unmistakably its own.
Tasting Notes
Expect a lifted, perfumed nose of citrus peel and fresh herbs, with juniper sitting quietly underneath. The palate is layered and lively, showing warm cardamom and pepper, a gentle floral sweetness, and a clean, slightly resinous finish. It feels both refined and adventurous, the kind of gin that rewards a slow sip and a little curiosity.
What to Pair It With
Its citrus-and-herb character makes Song Cai a natural aperitif. We love it alongside our Fresh Oysters, where the gin’s brightness mirrors the briny sweetness of the shell. It also shines with the Spaniard Octopus and a crisp Mediterranean Salad. Browse the full dine-in menu for more pairings.
How It’s Served at Grappa
At Grappa, Song Cai is poured neat, over a single large rock, or built into a classic gin cocktail by our bar for $13. However you take it, it is a memorable way to begin or unwind an evening in Queen Anne.
FAQ
Where is it from?
Song Cai is made by Song Cai Distillery in Vietnam, widely regarded as the country’s first craft gin distillery, using wild-foraged native botanicals.
What does it taste like?
It is bright and aromatic, with lifted citrus and fresh herbs, warm cardamom and pepper, a soft floral note and a clean, lightly resinous finish.
Is Song Cai a good gin for someone new to gin?
Yes. Its fragrant, citrus-forward character is approachable and intriguing, and our bartenders are happy to serve it neat, on the rocks, or in a gentle cocktail.
When you are ready, book a table, explore the cocktail & spirits list, and the dine-in menu.
