James Gin California Dreamgin'
James Gin California Dreamgin' is James May's tribute to California, where his gin proved especially popular: a 40% ABV, 700mL gin built around "two staples of the hippie movement" — mushrooms and patchouli — the botanical signature of 1960s Californian counterculture — and it is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
The official copy calls it "a gin for people who find most gins too square, man." Girolle mushrooms give a light, fruity, peppery note with a hint of apricot; patchouli adds earthy woodiness that lingers; oregano brings savory herbaceousness balancing coriander and lemon peel, over a base of juniper, coriander seed, angelica root, and liquorice root. Conceived and engineered in Wiltshire, England, and distilled in the UK. Retailers credit it with 2025 World Gin Awards honours and other medals.
Tasting notes (per the brand): light, fruity, and peppery with a hint of apricot from girolle mushrooms; delicate earthy, woody patchouli lingering at the back of the mouth; oregano enhancing savory herbaceous notes with a layer of spice; bright and citrus-forward beneath the savory notes.
Why buy California Dreamgin'? Because it is the most unusual gin in James May's range — mushroom, oregano, and patchouli in a bottle, a love letter to California. Browse the James Gin brand collection, more gin, and other international spirits.
Serving note: chilled with premium tonic and an orange twist; also suits a Martini or French 75.
Why is it called California Dreamgin'? It is May's tribute to California, where his gin sold well — distilled with botanicals tied to the state's hippie history.
Are there really mushrooms in it? Yes — girolle mushrooms, which add a fruity, peppery note with a hint of apricot, not an earthy-mushroom flavour.
What is patchouli doing in gin? A hippie-movement staple; it adds earthy, woody depth that lingers on the finish.
Is it citrusy? Yes — juniper, lemon peel, coriander, and orange keep it bright and citrus-forward beneath the savory notes.
How should I serve it? Chilled with premium tonic and an orange twist; also suits a Martini or French 75.