Gin’s had its moment—and honestly, it’s still having it. Whether you’re partial to a bold Bison Grass or just discovering the crisp snap of a citrus twist, there’s something quietly joyful about setting aside a day to celebrate the stuff. World Gin Day lands in June every year, and rather than letting it pass by with a polite G&T, you could do a little more this time round, especially if you’re into flavour, fun, and finding new favourites.
So, suppose you’re thinking of getting a few friends together, treating yourself to a tasting box, or even heading off to your nearest gin experience. In that case, we’ve gathered a few ways you can make it actually memorable.
Understanding the Origins of World Gin Day
It started small, as these things often do—a casual gathering of gin fans back in 2009. Then word spread, bars joined in, distilleries offered tours, and now it’s a global nod to juniper joy. Always landing on the second Saturday in June, it’s not about rules or rituals, more a chance to try something new, clink glasses with your people, and maybe stock up on a few bottles you didn’t know you needed.
You’ll spot hashtags, themed menus, and distillery open days if you look around in early June. But it doesn’t need to be flashy to feel special.
Hosting a Home Gin Tasting Party
The beauty of staying in? You set the rules. You can keep it simple with three gins and a few garnishes, or go all out with themes, menus, and matching glasses.
Try a Theme:
- Botanical Bash: Think floral, herby, garden-fresh gins.
- Citrus Celebration: Line up orange, lemon, lime, or yuzu-led varieties.
- Exotic Picks: Spiced, smoky, or infused with something unexpected.
What You’ll Need:
- A few different gins (three’s a good starting point)
- Tonics and mixers to match
- Small tasting glasses or shot glasses
- Garnishes – citrus wheels, herbs, or even dried fruit
- A jug of water and plain crackers (to cleanse the palate)
- Little cards for notes – because you’ll forget which was which
Our Staycation Box has most of what you need to be quick and easy. Keep things relaxed, talk about the flavours you taste (or think you do), and let each guest pick a favourite.
Exploring Local Gin Events and Festivals
Depending where you live, there might be something happening just down the road, even if you’re not local to us. A quick search for “gin events near me” or “World Gin Day Cheshire” should throw up a few options. Often, local pubs, craft distillers, or hotels host tastings or cocktail masterclasses.
If you’re near us here around Nantwich, we are Three Wrens offer a gin distillery tour and tasting at Three Wrens Distillery, and also the chance to enjoy our full range of cocktails at The Nest on Pepper Street—great for something hands-on, guided, and honestly, really fun.
Creating DIY Gin Cocktails
You don’t need a mixologist’s kit to put together something impressive. A few fresh ingredients and the right gin go a long way. Let’s keep it straightforward:
How to Build Your Signature Gin Cocktail
- Pick Your Gin – base everything around the botanicals in it.
- Choose a Flavour Accent – citrus, berry, spice, or herbal.
- Add a Mixer – soda, tonic, elderflower, or fruit juice.
- Top with a Garnish – not just for looks, it adds aroma.
- Name it – silly or classy, your call.
Try this: 50ml Three Wrens Apple Crumble Gin, 20ml cloudy apple juice, topped up with tonic, garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Pairing Gin with Food
You don’t need a four-course menu. A few snacks matched to the right gin can be just as satisfying. Here’s a quick table to guide you:
Gin Style | Flavour Notes | Snack Pairing |
Citrus-led | Lemon, lime, grapefruit | Goats’ cheese, smoked salmon |
Herbal/Botanical | Rosemary, sage, basil | Olive tapenade, cured meats |
Spiced or Sweet Infusions | Apple, cinnamon, vanilla | Dark chocolate, blue cheese |
Floral or Delicate | Lavender, rose, elderflower | Cucumber sandwiches, macarons |
Honestly, let your taste guide you—half the fun is discovering what works.
Trying New and Exotic Gin Brands
World Gin Day is as good an excuse as any to try something outside your regular pour. At Three Wrens, flavours like our unique and home-grown Bison Grass has built a bit of a following or the new summer spectacular Wild Strawberry and Basil which is already a hit! You’ll also find limited editions throughout the year—often seasonal, sometimes collaborative.
If you’ve always picked a classic London Dry, now’s your chance to get curious.
Supporting Local Distilleries
Buying from small-batch distilleries isn’t just about what’s in the bottle—it’s about who made it, where, and why. There’s a real charm in knowing your gin was crafted just down the road, using proper ingredients and probably a fair bit of love.
Three Wrens Gin is made in Cheshire, by hand, in our stills, Valerie and Jill. And it’s those little details that tend to matter, especially if you’re gifting or hosting, that make your drink even more enjoyable.
Sharing Your Celebrations on Social Media
If you’re proud of your cocktail setup, say so. A well-lit photo (natural light, keep the background clean) and a quick tag can help others discover great bottles, too. Here are a few things to try:
- Use a tray or chopping board as a backdrop
- Show the pour, not just the glass
- Add movement – a stir, a twist, a garnish mid-drop
- Try hashtags like #WorldGinDay and #ThreeWrensGin (don’t forget to follow us on our social pages)
You don’t need to go full influencer mode—just enjoy sharing the moment.
Participating in Online Gin Masterclasses
Some distilleries and gin clubs offer live tastings you can join from your sofa. You’ll often be sent a set of miniatures, and someone walks you through each one live on Zoom or Instagram.
Beyond that, we even have our gin school here at Three Wrens Gins so you can get hands-on, learn more and even craft your own gin.
Making It a Tradition with Friends and Family
So maybe this year’s the first, but that doesn’t mean it has to be the only. Mark it on the calendar, create a ritual, and next year you’ll have something to look forward to.
A Few Traditions to Start:
- Always try a gin you’ve never heard of – perhaps best with our Luxury Gin Tasting Gift Set
- Snap a group photo with the year’s line-up
- Rotate hosting duties each year
- Pair gins with a dress code (floral, ‘20s, citrus yellow…?)
- Make a scrapbook or cocktail journal
Honestly, it’s not just about gin. It’s about the memories you wrap around it. However you choose to mark it though, World Gin Day’s really just a good excuse to pour something interesting, share a laugh, and maybe discover a new favourite along the way.