Best of British: homegrown gins you have to try this summer
Whether it’s served neat or swirled in a cocktail, gin is the perfect summertime drink. But did you know: some of the world’s best gin is made right here in Britain?
From Snowdonia’s sunny, citrusy flavours to Bristol’s exotic blend of botanicals, we sipped our way through the finest homegrown gins (it’s a tough job). Here are the highlights.
Scotland
Slowly distilled at Bruichladdich Distillery on the Isle of Islay with hand-foraged local botanicals.
2. Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin
Distilled in Girvan, this refreshing take on the Hendrick’s house style is a tribute to the sensory powers of the Midsummer Solstice.
3. Daffy’s Gin
Daffy’s is made in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. It’s distilled in an old copper-pot whisky still from the finest French grain spirit, with Lebanese mint and eight other botanicals.
Northwest
4. Bedrock Gin
This singularly smooth, clean gin is distilled in Keswick, Cumbria with local kiln-dried oak bark and 11 botanicals.
5. Bloom Premium London Dry Gin
Light and floral, with hints of honeysuckle and chamomile, this gin was created by Joanne Moore – one of the world’s first female gin master distillers.
Northeast
Inspired by William Slingsby, who discovered the unique properties of the natural spring water from Harrogate’s Tewit Well. Bottled at 57% ABV. The Royal Navy ‘proof test’ means gunpowder can still ignite if gin accidentally spills on it.
Wales
7. Aber Falls Orange Marmalade Gin
Distilled on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, with hints of orange and juniper. Try it in a Citrus Fizz: 1 part gin, 2 parts dry white wine and 3 parts soda, over ice.
Crafted at Penderyn Distillery from pure grain spirit and water from Brecon Beacons National Park. Garnish with refreshing mint and cucumber.
Midlands
9. English Drinks Company Cucumber Gin
Shrewsbury’s quintessential summer drink has a delicate juniper base and a twist of cucumber. Garnish with mint.
10. Williams Chase Great British Gin
Copper-stilled near Hereford from Chase Potato Vodka, with 10 wild botanicals. Serve with tonic over ice and a slice of fresh ginger.
11. Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Spiced Gin
This full-bodied spiced gin was hand-crafted by the Sadler family, purveyors of fine beers and spirits in Stourbridge, West Midlands for over 100 years.
12. Whitley Neill Blood Orange Gin
Sicilian blood oranges bring the Med to sunny West Midlands. Try a Blood Orange Paloma: mix 50ml gin with 150ml grapefruit juice and the juice of a lime over ice.
13. Warner Edwards Victoria’s Rhubarb Gin
Made in Harrington, Northants from a crop of rhubarb originally grown in Queen Victoria’s kitchen gardens. Each bottle contains one third fresh English rhubarb juice.
East Anglia
Handcrafted in Southwold from grain to glorious gin using the finest East Anglian malted barley. Its six botanicals include sweet orange peel and hibiscus flower.
Southwest
15. Plymouth Gin
Distilled since 1793 using the same blend of seven exotic botanicals, soft Dartmoor water and pure grain alcohol, at The Plymouth Gin Distillery.
16. 6 O’clock Gin
Strikingly smooth, with a soft, citrusy flavour led by juniper, carefully balanced with classic botanicals. Bristol’s best was born in 2010 from an old family gin recipe.
17. Keepr’s Cotswold Honey Gin
Made by an Oxfordshire beekeeper with a love for gin and honey. A finalist in our Britain’s Next Top Supplier competition.
London and Southeast
18. Sipsmith Lemon Drizzle Gin
Sipsmith distils their award-winning London Dry Gin with fresh lemon and lemon myrtle to create a refreshingly zesty and naturally sweet lemon gin.
19. City of London Dry No 1 Gin
Distilled in the City of London, this dry gin has a fine balance of juniper, liquorice and coriander, with zesty notes of orange and lemon.
