Sips & Sites & Bites

Texas Hill Country has long had its own kind of magic … wildflowers that refuse to be tamed, sunsets that stain the sky in watercolor pinks, and that easygoing confidence that says, we’ll do it our way. Waterloo Gin’s latest release, Prickly Pear & Rose, bottles that feeling beautifully.

Launching just in time for Negroni Week, this small-batch gin from Austin’s Waterloo Gin Company is a bright, floral expression that walks the line between rugged and refined … very much like the place it calls home.

At first glance, the gin’s striking rosy hue makes it feel celebratory before you even pop the cork. But the real joy comes in the glass. Distilled with hibiscus, rose, and prickly pear, all layered over Waterloo’s signature nine-botanical base and limestone-filtered water … it’s complex without being fussy. The nose blooms with gentle floral notes, followed by the earthy sweetness of prickly pear and a soft, citrusy lift. On the palate, it’s surprisingly balanced: floral and slightly sweet up front, herbal and dry on the finish.

We tried it in a simple gin and tonic, where the rose shone without overpowering, and again in a Southside cocktail (gin, mint, lime, simple syrup) where the bright botanicals took center stage. It’s also easy to imagine this gin in a White Negroni or a spritz with a twist of grapefruit peel … the possibilities are wide open.

The release comes as Waterloo Gin continues to evolve under the leadership of John Paul DeJoria (yes, the same visionary behind Patrón Tequila and Paul Mitchell). With fresh branding and an expanding footprint … on track for 20 states by year’s end … the Austin distillery seems ready to take its distinctly Texan spirit nationwide.

At 47% ABV and a suggested retail of $34.99, Prickly Pear & Rose feels like an affordable luxury … something you’d want to pour for guests on a breezy evening or stash for when you need a little Hill Country escape in your glass.

Waterloo’s Prickly Pear & Rose Gin isn’t just another flavored gin. It’s a thoughtful, elegant expression that captures Texas in full bloom … bold, beautiful, and just a little wild.

Try it:
2 oz Waterloo Prickly Pear & Rose Gin
1 oz simple syrup
1 oz fresh lime juice
4-6 mint leaves (muddled)
Shake with ice, strain into a coupe, and garnish with a lime peel.

It’s the taste of Texas summer, bottled and ready to sip.