Handkase with Gin-Juniper Marinade
This version is made for aperitif moments: dry gin, crushed juniper berries and dill come together in a marinade that feels like a dry martini, only with handkase taking the spotlight instead of an olive. At approx. 2 g net carbs, it is one of the lowest-carb variations in the whole series.
Key points at a glance
- Ready in approx. 10 minutes - an elegant aperitif with no cooking required.
- Approx. 2 g net carbs and 11 g fat per serving.
- Ingredients: handkase, dry gin, juniper berries, lime juice, olive oil, dill, shallot.
- Perfect for elegant evenings, aperitifs and anyone who wants to experience handkase on a new level.
Ingredients
1 handkase per person as an elegant aperitif or starter.
| Amount | Ingredient | Note | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handkase | approx. 60 g each | |||
| approx. 60 g each | ||||
| Dry gin | London Dry Gin | |||
| London Dry Gin | ||||
| Extra virgin olive oil | approx. 1 tbsp | |||
| approx. 1 tbsp | ||||
| Lime juice | 1/2 lime | |||
| 1/2 lime | ||||
| Lime zest | freshly grated | |||
| freshly grated | ||||
| Juniper berries | lightly crushed in a mortar | |||
| lightly crushed in a mortar | ||||
| Fresh dill | 2 tbsp | |||
| 2 tbsp | ||||
| Shallot | very finely diced | |||
| very finely diced | ||||
Preparation
Lightly crush the juniper berries in a mortar, stir together gin, lime juice and olive oil, fold in dill and shallot, pour over the handkase and let marinate for 10 minutes.
Why does gin work in a keto marinade?
Dry gin (London Dry Gin) contains virtually zero carbohydrates - it is distilled alcohol flavored with juniper and other botanicals. In the amount used here, around 15-20 ml per serving, it delivers no usable carbs. Alcohol is metabolized differently on keto (prioritized ahead of fat), which is why it works better as a marinade ingredient in small amounts than as a drink. The marinade contains approx. 10 ml of alcohol per serving.
Source: Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Ernaehrung: Alcohol and Nutrition
Juniper berries: zero carbs, maximum aroma
Juniper berries do contain about 10 g of carbohydrates per 100 g, but only a tiny amount is used (approx. 3-4 berries per serving), which works out to less than 0.1 g of carbs. A quick crush in the mortar releases the essential oils that carry the signature gin aroma.
Dill and lime - fresh herbs without carb worries
Dill contains almost no carbohydrates and brings an aniseed-like freshness that pairs beautifully with the juniper note. Lime juice has about 5 g of carbs per 100 ml - in the 10 ml used here, that is less than 0.5 g of carbs per serving.
How do I serve and vary the gin-juniper handkase?
From experience, this version works best at room temperature - the gin alcohol evaporates a little, which rounds out the flavor. Served too cold, the marinade tastes sharper.
Meal prep: gin marinade keeps 3-4 days
Gin acts as a preservative thanks to its alcohol content. The marinade without dill (keep the dill separate) holds up well in the fridge for 3-4 days. Stir in fresh dill only just before serving.
Alcohol-free variation
Replace the gin with tonic water (unsweetened, soda water or Fever-Tree Naturally Light). The juniper aroma becomes noticeably milder but still comes through. Alternatively: add a drop of juniper berry extract or soak a few extra dried juniper berries in the marinade.
Which tips make the gin-juniper marinade more elegant?
- Use a good London Dry Gin - cheaper gins often lack juniper depth.
- Only press the juniper berries, do not grind them completely - this way they release their aroma more slowly.
- Use fresh dill rather than dried - frozen dill works as a backup.
- Add a little lime zest (grated peel) to the marinade - it brings more citrus aroma than juice alone.
- Take the cheese out of the fridge 10-15 minutes before serving - cold makes the gin note taste too sharp.
- For aperitif bites, place small (miniature) handkase on cucumber slices - more elegant than the plated version.
Nutrition values
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Per serving | Keto context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | approx. 128 kcal | approx. 180 kcal | Moderate. The gin contributes alcohol calories (7 kcal/g) without carbs. |
| Moderate. The gin contributes alcohol calories (7 kcal/g) without carbs. | |||
| Fat | approx. 7.9 g | approx. 11 g | Great for keto. Comes entirely from olive oil. |
| Great for keto. Comes entirely from olive oil. | |||
| Net carbs | approx. 1.4 g | approx. 2 g | Excellent. One of the lowest-carb variations in the series. |
| Excellent. One of the lowest-carb variations in the series. | |||
| Sugar | approx. 0.7 g | approx. 1 g | Very low. No added sugars. |
| Very low. No added sugars. | |||
| Protein | approx. 6.2 g | approx. 8.7 g | Moderate. The handkase provides the protein. |
| Moderate. The handkase provides the protein. | |||
| Salt | approx. 0.7 g | approx. 1 g | Low. Shallots and gin contain hardly any salt. |
| Low. Shallots and gin contain hardly any salt. | |||
Note: Nutrition values are estimated averages per 100 g and per serving and may vary depending on ingredients, brands, portion size, and preparation. They do not replace individual nutrition or medical advice.
FAQ
Can you taste the gin strongly?
Not as alcohol, but as aroma. The juniper and herb notes of the gin come through clearly, while the alcohol itself partly evaporates at room temperature. If you want a more pronounced gin character, use a gin with a stronger juniper profile (e.g. Tanqueray or Hendrick's).
Is gin keto-compatible?
As a marinade ingredient in small amounts, yes. As a drink, neat gin (without tonic) is acceptable on keto in moderation because it contains no carbs. Regular tonic water, on the other hand, is high in sugar - look for sugar-free versions.
Can I use this marinade for salmon or other fish?
Absolutely. Gin, dill and juniper are classic flavors for gravlax (cured salmon). The combination often pairs even better with fish than with cheese - you get a gravlax-like flavor profile.
Which gin works best with this marinade?
London Dry Gins with a strong juniper note (Tanqueray, Beefeater, Gordon's) work best - they bring the classic gin profile to the dish. Floral gins (Hendrick's with cucumber and rose) make for an interesting variation. Craft gins with exotic botanicals can overpower the handkase character.