A Gin Lover’s Guide To London

Gin has reinvented itself over the past decade, shrugging off its chequered century-long past and refashioning itself as a refreshingly adaptable mixer. From its humble beginnings as a medicine peddled by London’s apothecaries to today’s sophisticated botanical blends, its renaissance has seen a global boom in micro-distilleries, ingenious ingredients and trail-blazing tonics. Despite all this, the humble G&T with a slice of lemon still has its well-earned place. For gin lovers with a taste for the traditional and aficionados with a hankering for fresher inventions, allow us to introduce the highlights of London’s distillery scene.

Explore The Distilleries

The City of London Gin Distillery has triple appeal for gin lovers, with its pioneering Gin Lab, a well-stocked cocktail bar, and, of course, the micro-distillery itself. A tour here offers an introduction to trusty copper stills Jennifer, Clarissa and Elizabeth, and freely divulges the formulae behind their award-winning distillations. It’s neatly rounded off with a three-flight gin-tasting and an invitation to fire up a bespoke bottle of the good stuff in the Gin Lab. If that all sounds too much like hard work, a refreshing, citrus-infused Old Tom Gin in the bar is a happy alternative.

The brand that almost singlehandedly established gin as the trend of 2009 was Sipsmith. Understandably, then, Sipsmith Distillery is high on the itinerary for any gin lover in London. The mixology team shares precious pearls of wisdom from the brand’s Master Distiller, Jared Brown, during exclusive masterclasses while attendant gin lovers shake, stir and sip their way to cocktail perfection. You can take a tour of the distillery on most week nights, but for something a little more special, the weekly Sipsmith Sipper Club is hard to beat. The evening begins with a tour and then moves to Charlotte’s Bistro for a three-course gin-inspired dinner. There’s more: you won’t leave without a gift bag brimming with all the ingredients to create the perfect gin and tonic (ice not provided, of course).

Elsewhere in London, there’s a coveted gin that has been hand-crafted since 1863 to a recipe that’s barely changed, and it’s available to sample at the Beefeater Gin Distillery. The self-guided tour takes in big gulps of British gin history and is a rare opportunity to see some of the brand’s original Victorian pot stills. It includes, of course, a gin and tonic poured to your preference.

Sip South Of The River

Head to the bustle of Maltby Street Market at the weekend and gin lovers will find the Jensen’s Gin Distillery open for tastings as well as an indulgent selection of long drinks. Found beneath an atmospheric railway arch, the distillery here, which can be visited by booking in advance, bottles small batches of vintage-style London gin made from traditional botanicals.

Earnest gin aficionados will no doubt be aware of Hayman’s, a heritage, family-run brand that’s been around since the original gin boom of 1863. It has made its home over in Balham and continues to make True English Gin to traditional period recipes. A visit offers an opportunity to meet the team, learn about the historic processes that go into the gin, and take a guided tour of the facility itself, with a tutored tasting along the way.