There is nothing better than a gin and tonic on a sunny day…
Gin, as you may well know, is my spirit of choice. I am a #ginlover left, right and centre and at home, we even have our own gin cart – so I tell no lies!
Here are some of the best premium gins in the world to try – of course not to be consumed all in the same day! Enjoy with moderation.
World Gin Day is someday in June.
Hendricks Gin
I remember the first time I had a Hendricks, served with cucumber, and in a proper gin glass. It was 2004 and I was in Barcelona. Life was never the same again.
How to serve: Pair with a premium tonic and a slice of cucumber.
👉 Shop the Gin: Buy Hendrick’s Gin on Amazon
Martin Miller Summerful
New for Summer 2020, Martin Miller launched this delightful new limited edition gin – with artic thyme and rosemary. I called it ‘British Summer in a glass’. Probably my current favourite gin and tonic.
How to serve: Wonderfully bright with a premium tonic and a squeeze of lime.
👉 Shop the Gin: Buy Martin Miller’s Summerful on Amazon
Monkey 47
Hailing from Germany, it is one of the country’s best creations. I remember enjoying 3 or 4 of these gin and tonics onboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train.
How to serve: Brilliant with a crisp Indian tonic and a twist of grapefruit.
👉 Shop the Gin: Buy Monkey 47 Gin on Amazon
Salcombe Gin Start Point
One of my favourite towns in the UK, also home to this delightful gin I love to garnish with pink grapefruit.
How to serve: Pair with a red grapefruit slice to elevate the citrus notes.
👉 Shop the Gin: Buy Salcombe Gin on Amazon
Gin Mare
One of Spain’s best gifts to the world, alongside jamon iberico de bellota and Finca Cortesin. I have my Gin Mare gin and tonic with rosemary, and sometimes I go mad and even have it with basil (there is some logic to this madness). A very special gin not just on World Gin Day.
How to serve: The ultimate Mediterranean serve—garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary or basil.
👉 Shop the Gin:Buy Gin Mare on Amazon
Nordes Gin
Another Spanish delight and one of my absolute favourite premium gins – and a staple at our home at all times. From Galicia, in North West Spain, expect an explosion of flavours and a fabulous nose.
How to serve: A spectacular Galician gin that pairs beautifully with a classic white grape garnish.
👉 Shop the Gin: Buy Nordés Gin on Amazon
Sheringham Seaside Gin
A gift from my friend Nancy, which then created an obsession. Everyone who visits Canada (and not just Vancouver or Victoria in British Columbia) has to bring us a bottle or two (I kid you not). We call it our ‘international gin and tonic’.
How to serve: Crisp and clean; garnish with a slice of lemon or a sprig of lavender.
👉 Shop the Gin: Buy Sheringham Seaside Gin on Amazon
Citadelle Gin
The French are on to something with their gin. And this premium gin may be one of my absolute favourites.
How to serve: A beautiful French artisanal pour. Perfect with a fresh lemon twist.
👉 Shop the Gin: Buy Citadelle Gin on Amazon
Shortcross Gin
From Northern Ireland to the world – a beauty of a gin, which is best enjoyed with orange (for real).
How to serve: An exceptional Irish craft gin. Best served with an orange peel garnish. 👉 Shop the Gin: Buy Shortcross Gin on Amazon
St. George Terroir Gin
God bless America, is all I can say. Gin and USA are not two words that usually go hand in hand, but this California distillery really is making waves. I first this premium gin discovered as an in-room amenity at Four Seasons Los Angeles and have been indulging ever since.
How to serve: Incredibly unique and forest-forward. Garnish simply with a sprig of fresh rosemary.
👉 Shop the Gin:Buy St. George Terroir Gin on Amazon
Roku Gin
And a relatively newcomer to the O’Reilly premium gin cart – discovered in London at a hotel bar by pure chance and bought over and over again in the last 6 months. It’s quite zesty and makes for the perfect gin and tonic.
How to serve: Pair with a crisp tonic and garnish with fresh ginger sticks to perfectly complement the yuzu notes.
👉 Shop the Gin: Buy Roku Gin on Amazon
And don’t forget the tonic
As the clever people of Fever Tree say, if your gin is 3-quarters tonic, make it the best you can get. I am a great fan of Fever Tree (and there are other excellent tonic waters around). My favourite ones are the normal one and the Mediterranean (turquoise blue) – they really are fantastic.
🍸 The Glassware Question: Riedel Only
A premium gin and tonic is rather pointless if served in the wrong vessel. At home, glassware is taken quite seriously, and we are a strictly Riedel household. However, my husband and I have long had a disagreement over what constitutes the perfect shape. If you find standard, oversized gin balloon glasses a bit too heavy or clumsy to hold, you have far better options.
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The Minimalist Choice (The H2O Range): For a clean, contemporary look, the Riedel H2O Glasses on Amazon are excellent. They are beautifully simple, thin-walled, and feel light in the hand—proving you don’t need a bulky glass to enjoy a proper drink.
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My Preferred Option (The Chardonnay Glass): If you prefer a stem but dislike giant, clunky Copa glasses, try using a Riedel Vinum Chardonnay Glass on Amazon. The wide, open bowl and ultra-thin crystal allow the botanicals to breathe perfectly, while the glass itself remains delicate and elegant to hold.
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The Husband’s Pick: My husband and our male guests still lean toward the rather dramatic, heavy-bottomed Riedel Optical O Gin Glasses on Amazon. They hold a substantial amount of ice and make quite a handsome gift, even if they are a bit too large for my own liking.
🍋 Shop the Home Bar
Should you wish to upgrade your own cocktail setup, these are the exact Riedel sets we use:
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The Thin Tumblers: Riedel H2O Glass Set
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The Elegant Stemmed Glass: Riedel Vinum Chardonnay Set
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The Ribbed Gin Tumblers: Riedel Optical O Set
And with this, all that is left to do is to wish you a very happy World Gin Day. Or Gin Weekend. Or Gin Week. You get the idea as long as you promise to enjoy some of the best gin in the world.
Have you tried any of these premium gins? And what other brands have you found and would like to recommend on this World Gin Day? Let me know!
xo
Mrs. O
