7 Gins to Try this Summer

After what has felt like the longest Winter ever, and a very chilly start to Spring, we are starting to see the first proper Summer weather, the kind of weather where you might choose to sit outside, rather than be forced to because of coronavirus restrictions.

My drink of choice this Summer will be gin, and I’ve rounded up some of my most-wanted Summery gins for 2021.

Malfy Limone Gin

Malfy Gin was a huge hit when it arrived on UK shores a couple of years ago, with it’s distinctive bottle and Amalfi Coast inspiration. The blood orange (Con Arancia) and pink grapefruit (Gin Rosa) flavours are perhaps the most well known, but I think the new lemon (Con Limone) flavour, distilled with Sfusato lemon peels from the Amalfi Coast, is the one to go for this Summer.

Refreshing, citrusy and zesty, this will be perfect in a classic G&T.

• Malfy Limone is £25 for 70cl.

Sipsmith Strawberry Smash

Nothing says Summer like strawberries, cream and the tennis at Wimbledon, and this new offering from Sipsmith captures these flavours perfectly. With notes of fresh strawberry and forest fruits, and a hint of mint, this is a fresh, dry gin perfect for hot Summer afternoons.

Sipsmith recommend serving it in a ‘Wimbledon Collins’ – gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, soda water and fresh strawberries.

• Sipsmith Strawberry Smash is £22.50 for 70cl.

Greyson’s Mediterranean Orange Gin

I’m a big fan of Aldi’s own-brand gin offerings since trying them last year, and this new sharp and sweet orange gin looks like a great option for the Summer.

• Greyson’s Mediterranean Orange Gin is a bargain at £12.99 for 70cl.

Salcombe Gin Rose Sainte Marie

For many, a Summer holiday in Provence, with the smell of lavender, a gooey cheese and crusty bread, and a glass of cold Rose is the ultimate in relaxation.

This gin from Devon’s Salcombe distillery evokes just that – inspired by the South of France, it contains a range of botanicals as well as strawberry, angelica, lemon and orange.

So good that Salcombe suggest serving it on it’s own, over ice.

• Salcombe Rose Gin is £40.95 for 70cl.

Manly, Australian Dry Gin

It’s been a few years since I visited Sydney’s Manly beach, and with travel restrictions still in place, it looks like a while yet before I’ll be able to enjoy a drink with my Aussie family.

In their absence, this citrusy offering from Australia’s Manly Spirits might just bridge the gap. It’s created with sustainably foraged, Australian native botanicals, and is best served with a slice of orange and a premium Indian tonic.

• Manly Gin is £40 for 70cl.

Brewdog Lonewolf Cactus and Lime Gin

Brewdog have lots of gins now, as part of their Lonewolf brand, but the one that catches my eye for Summer is this Cactus and Lime flavour, made with kaffir lime and cactus flowers.

Brewdog suggest this is best enjoyed at sundown, maybe on one of those rare English evenings where you can stay outside well into the night.

• Cactus and Lime Gin is £25 for 70cl.

Warner’s Pink Berry 0%

I’ve been a fan of Warner’s gin for a while, particularly their amazing Rhubarb gin, and think this new Pink Berry ‘Botanic Garden Spirits’ sounds intriguing. There aren’t many well-known non-alcoholic gin alternatives on the market so this could be perfect on those sunny pub afternoons where one person has to drive home!

It doesn’t sound too sugary either, combining the fruits with a kick from ginger, chilli and Szechuan pepper. A cheaper alternative could be Aldi’s Kvist Rosa.

• Warner’s Pink Berry 0% is £18 for 50cl.