International Gin & Tonic Day: the best small-batch gins from across the UK

There’s never a bad time for gin, and no wonder the British love it so — the G&T is a lively and refreshing seasonal tipple irrelevant of whether there’s rain or shine in the sky.

If you’re going to get through a few glasses this International Gin & Tonic Day (October 19), make sure they’re interesting ones.

Here’s a pick of the best and most original gins the UK has to offer, featuring flavours ranging from samphire to Japanese sake via local honey and coriander seeds.

Curio Rock Samphire Gin

This unique Cornish gin is made with local sea fennel — also known as rock samphire — along with kombu seaweed from the Cornwall coast. The result is a smooth gin with hints of saltiness and spiciness. It makes an enjoyable short drink served solo over ice, but also contributes to a G&T as refreshing as a day at the seaside. Well, almost.

£36.84, Amazon, Buy it now

Cotswolds Dry Gin

An ex-City worker fed up with his commute is responsible for crafting this creamy gin, which is distilled near Chipping Norton. It is made using wheat spirit and distilled with lavender from nearby Snowshill, along with bay leaf, grapefruit, lime, black pepper and cardamom seed. The gin is sturdy and juniper-rich, with refreshing citrus notes — try it in a G&T garnished with bay leaf and a grapefruit wedge.

£38.89, Amazon, Buy it now

Jinzu

Developed in Bristol, distilled in Scotland and inspired by Japan, Jinzu is a truly original gin. Juniper and coriander is distilled along with Japanese cherry blossom and yuzu, and the gin then gets an added dash of Junmai sake. This makes for a zesty and refreshing spirit with a pleasant nutty sweetness thanks to the sake.

£27, Amazon, Buy it now

Silent Pool Gin

This gin takes its name from a mysterious spring-fed lake near its home in the Surrey Hills. And in many ways its flavour profile has quite a lot in common with the water — fresh, deep and clean. No fewer than 24 botanicals go into the gin, with chamomile, kaffir lime leaves, lavender and local honey lending giving a sweet, floral edge that balances the juniper.

£35, Amazon, Buy it now

Opihr Gin

Made by G&J Distillers (also behind better-known Greenall’s), this gin has a fascinating concept behind it. It traces the traditional spice route which led from East Asia through India, Asia and Europe to the UK — a route responsible for the birth of gin in the first place. Botanicals come from each stage of the journey: Indonesian cubeb berries, Indian black pepper, Moroccan coriander, Spanish citrus. The result is a bold, spicy gin that’s fragrant, peppery and exotic.

£18, Amazon, Buy it now

Sipsmith VJOP Gin

Everyone knows Sipsmith, the west London gin start-up that helped kick-off the UK’s juniper renaissance. But this not-so-well-known creation is a real gem for gin nuts. It is pretty simple really, the team have just upped both the amount of juniper used and the abv — the result is gin at its most ferociously ginny.

£40, Amazon, Buy it now

Colonel Fox’s

Intriguingly named and packaged, this modern version of an old-school gin has been created by the team behind Cask Liquid Marketing and is distilled at London’s Thames Distillery. It will appeal to those who like a classic, with a fairly conventional set of botanicals including juniper,coriander, cassia, liquorice, angelica root and bitter orange peel. A great all-rounder with a playful edge.

£22.95, The Whisky Exchange, Buy it now

J.J. Whitley London Dry Gin

This is a new addition to the repertoire of a Cheshire company which has been distilling since 1762 — you may have heard of the better-known Whitley Neill Gin. It is a classic gin, with juniper, citrus and coriander leading the botanical lineup, but a particularly prominent lemon twang makes it a bright base for a dry martini.

£18, Amazon, Buy it now

Marshmallow Gin

Renowned for making gloriously grown up marshmallows, this small British company has now branched out and created a hybrid of two of our favourite things: sweets and gin. Made in a traditional gin copper still, it’s then infused with the company’s signature marshmallow. The sweet, cloudy flavour of sugary vanilla takes the edge of the tang of juniper, making this a great gin to sip neat over ice.

£32, The Naked Marshmallow Company, Buy it now