Top 11 Summer-Time Must Try Gins for Summer
With summer just around the corner, there’s no better time than now to stock up on your gin collection.
With the anticipation of longer days, hot weather and gardens in full bloom what better time of the year to relax and enjoy a refreshing G&T in the comfort of your own home. We’ve put together a selection of our 12 top gins to try this summer, all perfectly suited to be enjoyed in the warmer months.
1. Malfy Gin Con Limone
Malfy Gin Con Limone is a fine example of first-class Italian Craftmanship, created by the Vergnano family and produced at the Torino Distillati, near Turin – renowned for producing spirits, wines and liqueurs dating back to 1906.
The gin is made using six botanicals including Italian juniper, coriander, angelica and cassia bark, and infused with Sicilian and Amalfi Coast lemons giving the gin it’s very special zesty scent. It’s bright and fresh, but not too overpowering with notes of earthy juniper bringing character to the gin.
Recommended Serve: Malfy Con Limone & Tonic
Fill up your glass with fresh ice, pour over a large measure of Malfy Con Limone, top it up with a small bottle of tonic and garnish with a slice of lemon.
2. Gin Mare
The winner of several international awards, Gin Mare is a Spanish gin distilled in a thirteenth century chapel in the small fishing town of Vilanova, located just outside Barcelona.
It is made with unique, local Mediterranean botanicals including the likes of Arbequina olives, basil, rosemary and thyme. Along with herbal notes it also has notes of citrus and cardamom offering a well-rounded flavour that pairs nicely with a wide range of foods and ingredients.
Recommended Serve: Gin Mare G&T
Fill a glass with ice cubes, pour in 50 ml Gin Mare followed by premium tonic water. Garnish with fresh orange and lemon slices, plus a sprig of fresh rosemary.
3. Puerto De Indias Strawberry
Following on from Gin Mare, number 4 on our list is another Spanish Gin, Puerto De Indias Strawberry, which hails from the town of Carmona in Seville.
This aromatic, strawberry gin has a beautiful citrus base with flavours of grapefruit, lime, lemon and orange. The strawberries and other botanicals used in this gin are carefully sourced, giving the gin its own unique identity – which is evident upon tasting.
Recommended Serve: Puerto De Indias Strawberry G&T
Fill your glass with fresh ice, pour over 50 ml Puerto De Indias Strawberry topped up with 100-150 ml tonic water. Garnish with 2 freshly sliced strawberries and a wedge of lime to really bring out the delicious flavours in this gin.
4. Malfy Blood Orange Gin
Another offering from Malfy is number 5 on our list – Malfy Blood Orange Gin. This refreshing citrus-forward gin has been distilled with Sicilian blood orange peels along with juniper and six other botanicals including grapefruit peel, Amalfi Coast lemon peel, coriander and cassia bark.
The blood oranges used in this gin are harvested in the cooler months when they develop into their rich red colour, giving Malfy Blood Orange its distinctive colour.
Recommended Serve: Malfy Blood Orange & Tonic
Fill up your glass with fresh ice, pour over a healthy measure of Malfy Blood Orange, top it up with your favourite tonic water and garnish with a fresh wedge of orange.
5. Hendrick’s Lunar Gin
Hendrick’s Lunar Gin is a delightful creation from renowned Scottish Gin Brand Hendricks, which was released as their second limited edition from master distiller Lesley Gracie’s ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’.
This moon-inspired gin has distinctly floral flavours with notes of delicate spice on the finish. A perfect gin to enjoy on a hot summer’s evening, under the moonlight of course!
Recommended Serve: Hendrick’s Lunar Moonlight Buck
Fill a highball glass with plenty of ice, add 50 ml Hendrick’s Lunar Gin followed by 150 ml Premium Ginger Ale. Garnish with 3 cucumber slices and a twist of fresh lemon peel.
6. Aviation American Gin
Aviation American Gin was founded in 2006 and was named after the Aviation cocktail created in the 1900s. In early 2018, Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds became the new owner of the brand, stating that he discovered Aviation Gin over drinks in his hometown of Vancouver.
It is a small-batch gin produced in Portland, Oregon and distilled to an old Dutch recipe. Notable botanicals include juniper, lavender, anise, sarsaparilla, orange peel and cardamom.
It has crisp notes of juniper, not too overpowering, balanced nicely with notes of earthy spice, hints of delicate floral sweetness and a lingering finish of spice and citrus.
Recommended Serve: American Gin & Tonic
Fill a glass with fresh ice cubes, pour over 50 ml Aviation American Gin and top it up with 100-150 ml premium tonic water. Garnish with 1 lemon wedge and 1 lime wedge.
8. Hendricks Midsummer Solstice Gin
Another gin from Hendrick’s is number 8 on our list, this limited-edition Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin is inspired by midsummer days and has beautiful floral tones, bringing summertime memories of cut grass, flowers in bloom and an essence of British summertime.
Notable botanicals in this gin includes juniper, orange blossoms, lemon zest, rose petals, heather and lavender.
Recommended Serve: Solstice Spritz
Pour 50ml Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice over ice, then add 50ml sparkling wine and top with 150ml tonic water. Garnish with a cucumber ribbon and a slice of orange.
8. LoneWolf Cloudy Lemon Gin
Created by Scottish distillers Brewdog Distilling Co, LoneWolf Cloudy Lemon Gin is a citrus-forward gin with prominent juniper notes and sharp notes of mouth-watering lemon. It is made with a selection of botanicals including Scotch pine, Tuscan juniper, grapefruit peel, Sicilian lemon peel, pink peppercorn, orris root and lemongrass.
Recommended Serve: LoneWolf Cloudy Lemon Gin & Tonic
Pour 50 ml LoneWolf Cloudy Lemon into an ice filled glass, add light premium tonic water and garnish with a wedge of lemon.
9. Liverpool Valencian Orange Gin
Liverpool Valencian Orange Gin is a limited edition release created by the head distiller, John O’Dowd, for the celebration of his son’s marriage to a Valencian wife. Handcrafted in small batches, with each bottle individually numbered, this orange scented gin is created using the original Liverpool Gin blend as its base with the addition of organic Valencian oranges, making a it a 100% organic gin with delightful zesty citrus notes.
Recommended Serve: Liverpool Orange & Clementine Cooler
Fill a highball glass with ice cubes, pour in 50 ml Liverpool Valencian Orange Gin and 100 ml clementine juice. Garnish with 2 halved strawberries.
10. Alkkemist Gin
Alkkemist Gin is produced using a base of grain spirit 3 times distilled and 21 carefully selected botanicals including Muscat grape, which prior to the release of Allkemist Gin had never before been used in the making of a gin. Other botanicals in this gin include the likes of orange and lemon peel, rose petals, samphire, fennel, thyme and mint.
It’s claimed to be “distilled by the light of the full moon”, 12 times a year when the influence of the moon is bigger. It has fruity notes with flavours of clove, peppery juniper and subtle hints of floral. The finish is a combination of juicy orange and a slight hint of samphire.
Recommended Serve: Orange Inspiration
Pour 50 ml Alkkemist Gin into an ice filled glass, add 200 ml premium tonic water, then garnish with dehydrated orange, lime rind and lemon curl.
11. Verano Lemon Gin
Verano Lemon Gin is produced by Scottish spirits group William Grant & Sons, who also produce Hendrick’s, and is inspired by sunny Spain with its relaxed lifestyle and colourful vibrancy. It is a handcrafted, small batch gin infused with Spanish lemons and extra lemon peel, giving it a crisp, zesty flavour. This refreshing gin is a perfect choice for those hot summer days!
Recommended Serve: Verano Lemon & Tonic
Fill a glass with fresh ice cubes, add 50 ml Verano Lemon Gin followed by 200 ml tonic water. Garnish with fresh lemon slices.
Conclusion
This selection of Summer-time favourite gins offer a diverse array of flavours and botanicals that are perfect for the summer season. Whether you prefer the crisp, refreshing notes of a classic London Dry gin or the more exotic infusions of contemporary craft gins, there is something to suit every palate! Each gin has been carefully chosen for its unique characteristics and ones we’ve personally got stocked up on, making it an ideal choice for both casual sipping and sophisticated cocktails. As you explore these must-try gins, you’ll find that they not only enhance your summer gatherings but also elevate your appreciation for this versatile spirit.
Which is your favourite Summer time tipple? Comment below, we’d love to know your thoughts!
