From Sparrow’s gin list, Song Cai is one of the most distinctive bottles we pour, a Vietnamese floral gin that captures the freshness of five distinct flowers ($13 by the pour, or $19.50 for a larger pour).
About Song Cai Gin
Song Cai comes from Song Cai Distillery, founded in 2018 as Vietnam’s first gin distillery. The house is known for terroir-driven spirits that capture the flavors and provenance of Vietnam’s highlands and deltas, working with local communities to forage wild botanicals. This Floral Gin is built around five aromatic flowers, dragon claw flower, ylang ylang, jasmine, michelia alba, and pomelo, on a neutral base. The botanicals are grouped by flavor profile, macerated, and distilled before blending, a careful small-batch approach in copper pot stills. The flowers nod to a Vietnamese tradition of harvesting blooms to decorate family altars and perfume the home, which is a lovely story to tell over a pour.
Tasting Notes
This is a soft, rounded, fruit-forward gin rather than a juniper-heavy London dry. Expect ripe orchard and stone fruit, woven jasmine and citrus blossom, and a creamier, perfumed texture. It is floral and aromatic without being sweet, an easy gin to fall for even if you usually skip the category.
What to Pair It With
Bright and floral, Song Cai shines alongside lighter, fresher plates. From the Sparrow dinner menu, try it with Fresh Oysters, the Tuna Tartare, or a crisp salad. It also makes a beautiful martini or spritz. Catch it during our daily happy hour, 3 to 5 PM, in the 21+ lounge or out on the four-season patio.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Song Cai Gin?
Song Cai is a Vietnamese floral gin from Song Cai Distillery, Vietnam’s first gin distillery, built around five aromatic flowers including jasmine, ylang ylang, and pomelo for a soft, perfumed style.
How much is a pour of Song Cai Gin at Sparrow?
At Sparrow in Kirkland, Song Cai is $13 by the pour, or $19.50 for a larger pour.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near other botanical gins like Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin and Hendrick’s. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and come taste it.