As a fashionable drink choice, a refreshing gin and tonic has never been so popular. Last year more than 47 million bottles of gin were sold in the UK, making it officially the UK’s favourite spirit. And what better way to toast our top tipple than to give it a special day of its own. As World Gin Day reaches its 12th anniversary on June 12, gin lovers across the globe are raising a glass to celebrate. Here’s our choice of events from the UK for celebrating World Gin Day:
MANCHESTER GIN TRAIL AND GIN HUB
This year, more than 15 venues across the city have joined World Gin Day, Manchester to create a gin trail. It offers gin lovers a weekend of discounts on G&Ts, gin-based cocktails and gin-inspired foods. Wristbands cost £10 to enjoy discounts and entry to a pop-up Gin Hub on First Street. This includes number of talks and demonstrations for the gin connoisseur. For details visit www.worldgindaymcr.co.uk
JUNIPALOOZA, LONDON
Now in its fifth year, Junipalooza festival, at London’s Tobacco Dock, is a weekend of wonder for the gin connoisseur. Bringing together more than 60 distillers from all over the world. It is an opportunity to not only sample a range of specialty gins, but also to discover more about the people who created them and how the industry is developing, during a series of masterclasses. Once inside, every gin is free to sample, and with more than 170 types on offer, there is something new for everyone. Tickets cost £35 for a four or five hour session. Visit the website for details.
MAKE YOUR OWN GIN, EDINBURGH
The Old Curiosity Distillery on Old Pentland Road in Edinburgh is home to the wonderfully aromatic, Secret Garden Gin. It is produced using herbs grown and hand-picked from their nursery at the foot of the Pentland Hills, on the outskirts of the city. A relative newcomer to the UK’s boosted artisan distilleries market, The Old Curiosity Distillery is a labour of love for the combined talents of herbologist, Hamish Martin and mixologist, Steve Ross. On World Gin Day the pair will share their secrets in a Make Your Own Gin Course. You can choose botanicals to make, bottle and label your own unique, perfectly distilled gin. For details and tickets email: Francesca@theoldcuriosity.co.uk
THE GREAT BRITISH GIN FESTIVAL, CHICHESTER
For the serious gin enthusiast, The Great British Gin Festival at Priory Park in Chichester offers a complimentary Gin Bible listing brief tasting notes on more than 100 gins on offer over the weekend. Distillers share their passion and stories in a series of talks. Mixologists shake-up their perfect gin cocktail. There is a lot to discover, with an insight into the production process via a virtual reality gin distillery. But if you prefer your tipple without the teaching there is plenty of fun to be had too, with samples and live entertainment in a garden party atmosphere. Visit ginfestivalsuk.com for details.
TASTE OF SCIENCE, NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE, LEICESTER
For an out of this world experience, get your taste buds popping at a gin sherbet making session at the National Space Centre, Leicester. Join the team’s scientist in the lab to create your unique botanical blend of gin-flavoured sherbet to take home.
Of course, there is a tipple to be enjoyed too, with tasting sessions of a variety of gins from around the world. Learn about the history of gin and then take to the dance-floor under the centre’s giant rockets. Visit spacecentre.co.uk for details.
Loved our ideas on celebrating World Gin Day? This might be of interest too: Gin Cocktail Idea