My favourite day of the year celebrates its 8th birthday on Saturday 11th June. World Gin Day 2016 is a global celebration of the juniper juice, with the simple idea of getting people together to drink gin.

As if we need an excuse!

As Australian Ambassador, I’ve been busy updating the global website with all the fantastic Australian events that are happening. You can see the full list here, but I’ve selected my pick of the bunch, to help you plan your day!

MELBOURNE/VICTORIA

Forgive the bias, but my home town has always been fantastic at organising World Gin Day events. There is a lot going on, but these are my favourites.

Visit Four Pillars Gin Distillery ~ 10.30am-9pm

There is nothing like visiting a distillery to understand and appreciate the work that goes into making a bottle of gin. The masterclasses on the day are now sold out, but you can still pop in and enjoy the festivities, sample a gin or two and purchase something delicious to take home. The Bloody Shiraz or Cousin Vera‘s gins are my recommendations if you can’t choose!

Gin Extravaganza at Gin Palace ~ 12pm-3am

The Grande Dame of Melbourne will be the place to be on World Gin Day. Offering a unique celebration of all things gin, there will be buy one get one free Gin and tonics, Negroni and Martinis until 10pm,  a $5 Mini Martinez table served by a Tom Cat, Plymouth Martini massages in the Harem and a Gin inspired dessert table from 6pm.

Experience Fresh Gin at Craft & Co ~12.30-3.00pm

I’m a huge fan of Craft & Co, an exciting venture that opened earlier this year that celebrates all Australian food and drink. With a brewery, distillery, delicatessen, restaurant and a bottle shop all on site, its heaven!

Bartending legend Sebastian Reaburn (formerly of Lui Bar, 1806 and co-owner of Heartbreaker) has recently taken the helm at Craft & Co as the distiller. World Gin Day will see the first run of gin come off the still, and you can be there to enjoy it!

Running from 12.30pm-3.00pm the Craft & Co event will offer you the opportunity to taste gin straight from the still, hear Sebastian talk about gin production, take you on a guided tour of the distillery before you taste a delicious Martini made with fresh Craft & Co. gin.
 
Archie Rose Distilling Co., The West Winds Gin & Four Pillars Gin will also be there offering tastings of their gins.

Tickets are $48 and are limited to 50 places. Book here. 

One Botanical at a time at Bad Frankie ~1-3pm

Andrew Marks from Melbourne Gin Company and Bad Frankie owner Sebastian Costello present this unique masterclass on the botanicals that go into this amazing gin.

You’ll have an opportunity to handle, smell and taste each botanical individually, understand the effect on your palate and how all the ingredients work together.

Tickets are $30 (includes a taste of each botanical and two Melbourne Gin Company Gin & Tonics, one on arrival and one half way through). Book here.

Bass & Flinders Launch Angry Ant Gin at Pilgrim Bar ~ 2pm & 4pm

Angry Ant gin is the latest gin from Bass & Flinders Distillery. The botanicals were hand-picked??????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????at the sustainable Wooleen Station in Central WA and include Mulla Mulla, and Purple Vetch flowers,native lemongrass and sandalwood nuts, the currant bush and ANTS.

Hear about this fascinating project from co-founder Wayne Klintworth at this Talk & Taste session.

Book 2pm session here. Book 4pm session here.

Negroni Masterclasses at Nieuw Amsterdam ~ 2pm & 4pm

Negroni food pairing? Yes please! Nieuw Amsterdam will take you on a trip through the wild and wonderful history of this global classic, its most popular spin-offs and show you how to make a Negroni for any time of day.

Book here.

SYDNEY

Made in Britain Revisited at The Barber Shop ~2-4pm

In celebration of the Queen’s Birthday weekend & World Gin Day, The Barber Shop Team will take you on a journey of Cocktails that were created and served in Britain over the last few Centuries.

$69 pp includes:2 cocktails, 2 G&Ts and charcuterie and cheese boards. Book here.

Australian Gin Masterclass at Gin & It ~ 2-4pm

Ian Glen from Stone Pine Distillery and Petr Dvoracek take you on a journey through the history of gin and Australian craft gin production.

$69 pp and includes: Cocktail on arrival, 8 Australian gin tasting, gin and tonic of your choice, charcuterie and cheese boards plus a trivia quiz with prizes.

Book here.

Tailored Gin Experience at Archie Rose Distillery ~ 6-7pm

For gin lovers who are after something personalised! You’ll have the opportunity to select and balance botanical distillates with guidance from the Archie Rose team to create a one of a kind gin. Once you’ve made your selection your ‘Tailored Gin’ will be made by hand right then and there in the distillery.

$120pp. To book, email [email protected]

ADELAIDE

Gin-Tastic fun at The Howling Owl ~4pm- late

So many things to do at The Howling Owl!  A GIN WHEEL OF FORTUNE (I want one) to win Gin prizes! Happy Hour specials, a Hendrick’s Bar and live DJs.

PLUS

Make your own gin at the Bootlegging Gin Master Class with Jon Lark from Kangaroo Islands Gin Distillery ($90 pp booking essential for the masterclass [email protected]).

CANBERRA

Australian Gin dinner ~ 6-10pm

The Pialligo Estate culinary team have partnered with the Martini Whisperer, Phillip Jones, and craft spirit distributors Nip of Courage to present a special menu with bespoke cocktails that showcase some of Australia’s award winning craft gins to celebrate World Gin Day.
You’ll experience a Martini on arrival, learn how to make the perfect one yourself, and have the opportunity to sample a range of craft gins from around Australia.

$155 pp. Book here.

BRISBANE

Dutch Courage Officer’s Mess ~ 11am til late

5, yes 5 gin masterclasses! Book in for the session of your choice, or do them all with an all-day pass for just $40. Featuring a Tanqueray Bloody Mary Brunch, Gin Mare & Botanist,  Pinkster & Bloom, Four Pillars and Hendrick’s.

Book via  [email protected]

PERTH

Gin Masterclass at Hippocampus Distillery ~ 4-5.30pm

Sip on a classic gin cocktail (martini anyone?!) while learning about the hand-crafted distillation process that makes Hippocampus Gin before embarking on a tasting session of different gin styles.. Master distiller, Alex, will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

$35 pp.Book here.

A Gin-inspired evening of gin and food ~ 6.30-10pm

Hippocampus Gin has partnered with Gordon Street Garage for a special evening of gin and fine food. You’ll begin the evening at the distillery bar with a guided gin tasting and cocktail before moving across the road to Gordon Street Garage for a gin-inspired sharing menu  – think freshly shucked oysters with high pour of gin and woodfired pork belly with a juniper rub and includes a mini negroni for dessert.

$70 pp. Book here.

I hope you’ve got some ideas on how to spend World Gin Day. You can follow my adventures on instagram and snapchat (theginqueenau) or check out the #worldginday hashtag to see what everyone is up to.

It’s a fantastic day, so please drink responsibly.