World Gin Day is a global celebration of all things gin that happens annually, this year’s event takes place on Saturday 13th June with a huge array of events and activities taking place online, allowing the whole globe to get involved!
Speaking about the event on their website, the organisers said: “In light of the Covid-19 global pandemic, this year’s World Gin Day will be celebrated virtually, from online tastings to virtual tours via IG-live and gin laced parties via zoom, put your new found online skills to use and let’s raise a gin across the world!”
If you want to join in with the various gin themed activities, head to here to join in.
And if you do choose to join in, might we suggest a few gins to enjoy the celebration with?
Dorset is full of distilleries making traditional gin flavours as well as modern twists on an old classic. One of the first distilleries in the region was founded in Bournemouth and to this day continues to use infusions from the local area, giving each glass a fresh, seasonal and truly Dorset taste. As with anything made somewhere as beautiful as Dorset, each of the individual gin distillers create enticing drinks which are tasty and completely unforgettable. For a traditional gin, take a look at Viper Gin created by the Avalon Distillery Company in Cerne Abbas. Their gins are handcrafted in small batches in a copper pot using English wheat spirit and ten carefully selected botanicals. Viper Gin can be found all across the county and is available at farmshops and delis – plus their website gives you a few recipes to help inspire you to create your own gin cocktails!
Another local artisan gin is Pothecary Gin from Soapbox Spirits. They have been making gin since 2016 and continue to distil each botanical separately to yield the optimum quality and taste. Each one includes five handpicked distinct flavours from around the world allowing you to imagine you’re somewhere far away or right at home, depending on the variety you choose. British blended in small batches before being individually filled, corked and sealed by hand, Pothecary Gin offers something unique. Plus, if you are in Christchurch, you can visit the Christchurch Confectioner where you can find the Pothecary Gin refill station!
Dorset’s first gin distillery was set up in Bournemouth by Rupert Holloway, who is the creator behind Conker Spirits. Conker Spirit produce the award winning Dorset Dry Gin, a classic tasting gin with subtle notes of marsh samphire and elderberries picked in the heart of the county. Another of the longest running distillers in the county is Bournemouth Distillers Ltd which produces the famous BH1 Gin. This gin is often described as being savoury with a sweet finish, making it perfect as a base for gin cocktails including martins and G&Ts. If you fancy getting creative while joining in with the World Gin Day celebrations, this is a great one for experimenting with.
For a gin that comes in a variety of interesting flavours, take a look at Fordington Gin. This unique gin combines a classic juniper base with star anise, wormwood and lemon balm combined with a secret selection of botanicals to produce an original flavour. As the weather is warming up, why not try Fordington’s English Rose gin? This floral and delicate gin has a subtle rose fragrance and gives off the taste of an English country garden – ideal for those of you who aren’t able to get out due to the current restrictions!
If you like the sound of a flavourful gin, Game Bird Gin offer a unique rosemary and citrus infused botanical gin as well as their famous sloe gin varieties. Alternatively, Smith and Weston have a range of carefully crafted gin liqueurs in a host of different flavours.
Still need a little inspiration? Check out some of gin cocktail recipes here.
Don’t forget, World Gin Day is taking place online on 13th June – please enjoy responsibly!
