How to celebrate world gin day from The Botanist to Skin Gin

Revel in the spirtit at the two-day festival, Junipalooza in east London, celebrating World Gin Day on 11 June

Martin Millers gin

A good gin and tonic is a drink of endless possibilities, whether it's nursed slowly at lunch, luxuriated over as a cocktail hour livener, or hungrily gulped down as the last drink of the evening. Like a favourite jacket you can rely on to pull an outfit together, a glass of mother's ruin is always exactly what you need, exactly when you need it.

It is the drink you can return to after copious amounts of wine or beer, the mix of juniper and the bitter bite of quinine proving, time and again, to be both thirst-quenching and restorative – why, one might almost claim it’s medicinal…

But what makes the perfect G&T? There are hundreds of different gin brands, from the big players such as Tanqueray, Hendrick’s and Sipsmith to the small batch distilleries such as Tarquin’s, Bathtub and Skin Gin. And then there’s the vast array of Indian tonic waters and garnishes that subtly enhance and fuse the flavours. Without a knowledgeable barman to guide you through the menu, it can be hard to know where to start.

Olivier Ward is editor of the Gin Foundry online compendium of all things gin, and founder of Junipalooza, a two-day festival celebrating the spirit and coinciding with World Gin Day this year, on June 11. He says: “A good-quality gin has the ability to transcend a moment and be evocative. To be great, it has to achieve an impeccable balance of being a smooth spirit, yet packed with flavours that leap from the bottle and leave a long-lasting impression.”

He believes the search for the perfect G&T combination is “like a quest for the Holy Grail. There are three parts to consider [gin, tonic and garnish] and endless amounts of adventures to be had discovering the intricacies.”

If you have time to go on your own adventure, it’s worth popping along to Junipalooza on Saturday June 11 - Sunday June 12 at Tobacco Dock, E1, where 40 gin makers from all over the globe, including Australia, Canada, the US, South Africa, Germany and Sweden, will be on hand to impart their botanical knowledge and ply you with samples covering 90 different gins. There will even be masterclasses for those wanting to really dig down deep.

But if you’d rather avoid the crowds and you fancy an adventure in the comfort of your own living room, try Olivier Ward’s ultimate G&T recipe instead:

50ml St George Terroir Gin
150ml tonic water
Ice and a fresh bay leaf to garnish

“This is one of those combinations where time seems to slow down,” says Ward. “You are transported to a calm, woody forest on a hot midsummer’s evening, interrupted into taking note of the moment and realising that things just got a lot better, glass in hand.”

In the spirit of adventure, here’s our pick:

Martin Miller’s Gin

£24.45 The Whisky Exchange; thewhiskyexchange.com

Martin Miller’s is often served with a slice of grapefruit or fresh strawberry and cracked black pepper, but like the Icelandic water it’s blended with, it is best simply to let the flavours speak for themselves. The botanicals are distilled in two separate batches - citrus first, followed by the earthier ones. This beautiful, smooth spirit is perfect on its own or with a splash of tonic.

Santamanía Reserva

£38.45 Gin Kiosk; ginkiosk.com

Something special and very different - a cask-aged gin from Madrid made from a base of Tempranillo grapes, distilled with local botanicals such as pistachio, lime, dry ginger, white pepper, and rosemary - aromas that set you longing for a glass and a couple of tapas dishes on the side. The gin is matured in French oak casks for three months, taking you on a tasty journey from subtle orange, citrus and typical gin flavours through to an added layer of complexity from the oak, bringing soft, creamy vanilla, white pepper and toasted spice.

Boodles gin

Boodles

£20 Sainsbury’s; sainsburys.co.uk

First created in 1845 and named after Boodle's gentlemen’s club in St James’s Street, this fine gin was a favourite of Winston Churchill and James Bond creator Ian Fleming, both of whom were members. Eschewing all citrus (the original distillers expected the drink to be served with a fresh slice of lemon and lime) this is as much about the herbs and spices as it is about the straightforward smoothness. A touch of nutmeg and coriander sweetness balances out the more piney juniper notes. Perfect for those who veer away from overpowering styles.

Blackwater gin

Blackwater No.5

£24.93 Master of Malt; masterofmalt.com

On the complete opposite of the tasting spectrum to Boodles lies Blackwater No.5. A classic London Dry style from West Waterford in Ireland, distilled with 12 botanicals that were actually imported by local spice merchants during the reign of Queen-Empress Victoria. Spicy on the nose, and warming on the palate with pungent and slightly soapy coriander, cinnamon, liquorice and cardamom, this is a strong character with a lot to say. Mixes well in a negroni or a full-flavoured G&T.

Rock rose gin

Rock Rose

£33.65, The Gin Box shop; theginboxshop.co.uk

Created by husband-and-wife team, Martin and Claire Murray, this Scottish creation uses Rhodiola rosea, as well as rowan berries, sea buckthorn and Bulgarian and Italian juniper, combining to give notes of lemon sherbet, red berry fruits and delicate rose. Crisp and refreshing with a good depth and warmth of flavour. Long and silky on the finish, try this with a sprig of rosemary or a curl of orange peel.

The botanist

The Botanist Islay Dry Gin

£32.45; masterofmalt.com

The first and only dry gin from Islay, this handcrafted spirit boasts 22 botanicals native to the Scottish island - including apple mint, chamomile, heather, spearmint, lemon balm and white clover - on top of the nine more classic ones, making 31 in total. It’s distilled for 17 hours and the end result is a floral, complex gin with refreshing citrus flavours.

Skin gin

Skin Gin

£35 Gin Kiosk; ginkiosk.com

This London Dry style from Germany features mint and lots of citrus - grapefruit, lemon and lime - to balance out the juniper. Each botanical is individually distilled to keep the vibrancy of its essential oil. So refreshing and far too easy to knock back on a sunny afternoon. The crocodile skin flask-style bottle is worth the purchase alone.

Sipsmith Chiswick gin

£15 for a ready-to-go G&T pack; deliveroo.co.uk

A quintessential English summer gin and a tribute to west London, featuring rosemary, rhubarb and oak on top of Sipsmith’s classic London Dry botanicals. Soft and herbaceous with an enlivening tang from the rhubarb and Seville Orange. Available exclusively to local residents from June 6 through Deliveroo, and those attending Junipalooza.

Junipalooza runs from Saturday June 11 - Sunday June 12 at Tobacco Dock, E1. For more details visit: www.junipalooza.com