Ginfusion by Lorenzo Pazzaglia: can a gin tonic be worn as a fragrance?

Ginfusion is the fragrance Lorenzo Pazzaglia dedicated to the gin tonic — and no, it is not a gimmick. It is an aromatic citrus from 2026, just arrived on our shelves, that takes the cocktail concept seriously: a dozen citrus notes in the opening, juniper and green tea at the heart, woods and amber beneath. If you have ever wondered what a gin lemon would feel like on your wrist instead of in a glass, this is your answer. Let us look at what is inside, how it evolves, and who it is truly made for.

In brief

• An aromatic citrus from 2026, created by Lorenzo Pazzaglia: a cocktail-inspired opening with a dozen citrus notes and peppermint, a heart of juniper and green tea, a base of woods and amber.

• Fresh yet structured: not the usual "water fragrance" that vanishes within half an hour.

• 50 ml at €145, a 2 ml sample at €9. Worth trying if you love aperitifs, aromatic herbs and botanical fragrances.

What fragrance are we talking about?

Ginfusion is one of Lorenzo Pazzaglia's 2026 releases, added to the catalogue this month. For those unfamiliar with the name: Pazzaglia began as a chef, working in his family's restaurant on the Adriatic coast. In 2021 he transformed that craft into perfumery, founding his own house. His idea is as simple as it is disarming: to bottle flavours, not just flowers.

The result? Fragrances that speak the language of the table. His most talked-about creation is called Carbonara — yes, after the dish — a tribute to his former life at the stove. With Ginfusion the step is a natural one: from the plate to the glass, from an homage to cuisine to an homage to the aperitif hour.

Here you will find the full Lorenzo Pazzaglia collection in the catalogue, samples included.

Can a gin tonic really be worn?

Yes — because the bond between gin and perfumery is closer than it might seem. Gin is essentially a scented distillate: juniper, citrus, herbs and spices — the famous botanicals — are the very same raw materials a perfumer keeps on the organ. Pazzaglia did not need to invent anything: he simply changed the vessel. And he is not the first to frequent the bar — modern perfumery has already bottled rum, whisky and vermouth. The difference here is that the cocktail is not a backdrop: it is the very architecture of the fragrance.

The construction follows the drink to the letter:

From the sparkling citrus of the first sip to the woods that linger beneath.

The vision is clear: not just any citrus fragrance, but a complete cocktail. Peppermint does the work of ice, delivering that cold, sharp sensation of the first sip. Juniper and the gin accord bring the herbal, resinous character. Beneath it all, the woods and amber provide a warm base that prevents the fragrance from fading like an ordinary cologne.

How does it smell on skin?

Imagine uncorking a bottle of ice-cold tonic water beside a handful of freshly cut citrus. The opening minutes are the most luminous: lemon, lime and bergamot burst forth with vivid freshness, peppermint cools the air, and for a moment you are truly standing at a bar counter.

Then, within half an hour, the fragrance turns greener and more aromatic. Juniper rises, green tea arrives with its slightly bitter edge, and the herbs — tarragon, lemon balm — lend a Mediterranean garden quality. At this point Ginfusion ceases to be "just citrus" and becomes the gin tonic itself, with its botanical backbone fully revealed.

In the final hours, what remains is warm, dry skin: cedar, vetiver, a whisper of amber and cardamom. This is the part that makes all the difference. Without that base we would be left with the usual citrus cologne that lasts a single breath; with it, Ginfusion carries a woody trail that holds everything together and elevates it to a true fragrance rather than a beach deodorant.

How long does it last, and what is the sillage like?

Let us be clear: aromatic citrus fragrances live largely in the top notes. The sparkling, fresh opening is also the most volatile, and after the first few hours it tends to recede — this is true of Ginfusion as it is of the entire family. But here the base of woods and amber acts as an anchor: the freshness softens rather than disappears, leaving a sillage that stays closer to the skin.

In practice: expect a generous, airy projection in the first hour — the kind of sillage that enters a room before you do — followed by a more intimate, woody life. In the heat it is perfect: summer is its natural habitat, and sultry days make it feel all the more refreshing. In winter it holds thanks to the base, but it truly shines when the temperature rises.

Who is it for — and who is it not for?

Ginfusion is for you if you love freshness with a soul and are tired of interchangeable aquatics. It is a solar, clean fragrance, suited to daytime, the summer office, the aperitif hour. It works beautifully on both men and women: citrus and herbs are genderless, and the botanical dimension makes it intriguing rather than generic. If you enjoy gin, bitter liqueurs, iced tea and green fragrances, you are in the right place.

Leave it aside, however, if you are looking for something sweet, warm or enveloping: there is no vanilla here, no sugar — this is a dry, thirst-quenching fragrance. And if freshness tires you quickly, bear that in mind — the citrus head is its signature, but it is also the first element to fade.

On the subject of alternatives within the same house: if the idea of "bottled flavours" has intrigued you but you want something more indulgent and edible, take a look at Carbonara; if instead you are drawn to the warm, woodland side, there is Foresta Magica.

How to try it without making a mistake?

The advice is always the same: sample first, then commit to the bottle. An aromatic citrus like Ginfusion wins you over instantly at the first spray — it is fresh, it is beautiful, it draws an immediate "how lovely" — but the real question is a different one: after a few hours, once the top notes have settled, does the woody base keep you company or leave you cold? Only your own skin can tell you.

That is why you will find the 2 ml sample at €9: spray it on, wear it through an entire summer day, and smell your wrist in the morning and again at the end of the evening. If by the close of the day you are still seeking it on your wrist, then the 50 ml bottle is a safe and considered choice. That is how you choose a fragrance: on your own skin, unhurried, not by reading a list of notes.

Quick questions about Ginfusion

Is Ginfusion a men's or women's fragrance?

Neither in particular: it is unisex. Citrus, herbs and juniper work beautifully on anyone who loves aromatic freshness. On masculine skin the juniper and base woods tend to assert themselves more; on feminine skin the citrus and peppermint shine through. Wear it regardless of the label.

What season is Ginfusion best suited to?

Above all, spring and summer. It is a thirst-quenching fragrance made for the heat: sultry days amplify its citrus and mentholated freshness. In winter it holds thanks to the woody amber base, but it performs less brilliantly and risks feeling out of place. Think sunshine, open-air aperitifs, linen shirts.

How long does Ginfusion last on skin?

The fresh citrus head notes, as is natural for the aromatic family, recede after the first few hours. But the base of cedar, vetiver and amber acts as an anchor, leaving a woody trail that stays close to the skin. In the heat the projection is more generous. One or two sprays in the morning, with a touch-up in the afternoon if needed.

What does Ginfusion smell like?

Like a well-crafted gin tonic: fresh citrus, juniper, herbs and the pleasantly bitter edge of green tea, over a base of dry woods. Rather than a generic aquatic, it resembles an aromatic citrus with a botanical soul. This is Lorenzo Pazzaglia's signature: not an anonymous freshness, but a recognisable cocktail captured in a bottle.

In conclusion

Ginfusion is an aperitif you can wear: citrus and peppermint that refresh, juniper and herbs that give it character, woods and amber that hold everything in place. It is not for those seeking sweetness — this is freshness with a backbone — but if you love green and aromatic fragrances, it is one of the most spirited and considered ways to wear them, especially in summer. The rule remains: try it on your own skin first.

Start with the Ginfusion sample, or browse all samples to build your own blind test. When you find the right one, you will know.