Top 10 events to mark World Gin Day
Wherever you are in the world, celebrate everyone’s favourite juniper-based spirit with our pick of the top international events for World Gin Day on 11 June.
Negroni Educational at Nieuw Amsterdam, Melbourne, features in our pick of international events taking place this World Gin DayWhether you’re keen on juniper or a relative gin newbie, the plethora of events organised for this year’s World Gin Day provide a prime opportunity to discover something new.
Crafted from the official line-up of events as featured on the World Gin Day website, our selection contains all manner of libations from Bloody Mary brunches to Mermaid Martinis.
Take part in a Gin Safari, watch a cabaret show, or take to a relaxing rooftop retreat if all the tasting gets too much.
Take a look through the following pages to see our pick of the top international events for World Gin Day.
Have we missed an event that you have been eager to attend? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
You can also click here for a full list of registered World Gin Day events.
Gin Safari at Mr Fogg’s Tavern, London, UK
Filled wall-to-wall with more than 300 of the finest gins from all four corners of the world, Mr Fogg’s Tavern’s comprehensive Gin Parlour offers the perfect backdrop for a gin expedition as it hosts five back-to-back Gin Tasting Safaris. Guests will be clad in a special safari hat and branded Mr Fogg’s apron while they explore and sample “six of the rarest and most interesting gin varieties from around the globe”guided by one of the venue’s bartenders. To round off the session guests can choose from more than 9,882,000 different gin and tonic combinations to enjoy, created using their chosen gin, two botanicals, and any flavoured tonic.
Ginstonbury, Birmingham, UK
Across the weekend Ginstonbury visitors will have the chance to sample gins, attend masterclasses, and engage with master distillers, brand owners,and tonic producers in an all-encompassing celebration of all things gin. A global selection of gins are available for tasting, with a handful of never-before-seen releases debuting at the event. The Atlas Bar allows imbibers to pick their ultimate gin, tonic and garnish combination, while elsewhere cocktails made by some of Birmingham’s best bartenders and exclusive gin-soaked street food menus await.
Mother’s Ruin: A Cabaret About Gin, Adelaide, Australia
If you’re something for something a little outside the box this World Gin Day, why not check out a cabaret show? Promising to be “equal parts historical and hysterical”, Mother’s Ruin explores the history of gin through story and song via a narrative of sailors, barmaids, bootleggers and distillers set in London, India and Peru. Featuring music originally performed by the likes of Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone, Merle Haggard, Kurt Weil, Hank Snow, and the Pretenders, the cabaret is premiering as part of Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
Junipalooza, London, UK and Melbourne, Australia
Pipped as ‘the ultimate gin festival’, Junipalooza is back for a third year, this time with a “strong focus” on international distilleries. Visitors have the chance to ‘Meet the Maker’ of a huge variety of gins in the category, from brands both big and small hailing from Australia, Canada, the US, South Africa, Germany, Spain, Finland and Sweden. There’s a bar serving up inspired gin cocktails, tonic water stands, and masterclasses on topics ranging Old Tom gin to the classic Negroni cocktail.
All-day Gin Party at Patterns, Brighton, UK
Head to Patterns’ sun-drenched outdoor terrace for a World Gin Day party boasting live swing band The Swing Ninjas, a menu of more than 30 different gin and tonics and some unique gin infusions created in-house. A one-off infusions cocktail menu includes gems such as the Mermaid Martini – pictured – and a hot dog-infused gin Bloody Mary. Those partial to fancy dress will be rewarded with a free gin cocktail, and prizes will be handed out to the best dressed group, couple and individual.
World Gin Day at Dutch Courage Officer’s Mess, Brisbane, Australia
Head down to Dutch Courage Officers’ Mess for a full day of gin worship. Five key tasting experiences dominate the day’s schedule, starting with a Bloody Mary Brunch and ending with a Hendrick’s Masterclass. If you’re looking to kick back and relax in-between sessions, there will be live music, goodie bags, street food, discounted gins and a pop-up bar hosted outside by Tanqueray.
The Bombay Sapphire Rooftop Retreat, London, UK
Head down to Harvey Nichols for a relaxing rooftop retreat courtesy of Bombay Sapphire. An oasis in the middle of London, the bar intends to “explore the classic gin and tonic serve in an unexpected way” by using flavoured tonic waters, tonic syrups, and a variety of off-the-wall garnishes and ingredients. In addition, Bombay Sapphire brand ambassador Renaud de Bosredon has created a menu of Ultimate Gin & Tonic twists featuring the likes of goji berry liqueur, cubeb berries and passion fruit. ‘Artistry’ masterclasses provide guests with a more hands-on experience as they create their own bespoke gin and tonic.
Negroni Educational at Nieuw Amsterdam, Melbourne, Australia
Head down to the Negroni Educational to fill your boots with the history of this classic Italian cocktail while doing your bit for good causes. The team at Nieuw Amsterdam will explore the cocktail’s most popular variations and spin-offs, match complimentary plates to the bitter-sweet sipper, and also teach guests how to make the ‘perfect’ Negroni to suit any moment. The event is being held as part of charitable endeavour Negroni Week, presented by Campari. The bar is also donating AUS$1 from every Negroni sold, and have crafted a whole new menu of the cocktail – including a salted caramel variation, pictured above.
Brunch In the Park with Bourne & Hollingsworth, London, UK
Bourne & Hollingsworth will be hosting an alfresco brunch to celebrate the 90th birthday of the world’s most famous gin fan, the Queen, on the most appropriate day of the year – World Gin Day. Guests are invited to feast of an array of breakfast treats of British brunch favourites, before heading down to a pop-up DIY Bloody Mary Shed hosted by Portobello Road. Adapt the simple classic to suit your taste with a range of quintessentially British ingredients, from cucumber and red pepper to marmite syrup, or sip on a selection of gin cocktails and g&ts including ‘Breakfast is the Most Important Drink of the Day’; a combination of Portobello Road Gin, Dubonnet, fresh lemon Juice, and marmalade.
Edinburgh Juniper Festival 2016, Edinburgh, UK
The Juniper Festival returns to Summerhall for its third year to feature more than 30 global producers, expert talks, new products, and a selection of street food, fashion and craft stalls. As well as gin sampling, guests can refresh themselves in the G&T Bar in the courtyard, sip on gin-based libations in the Cocktail Bar and buy bottles to take home and enjoy later.
