June has been another crazy busy month with more martinis than I could count and one of the most bonkers events I’ve ever attended. There’s some pretty major booze news too so read on to find out all about it.
Booze News
A couple of positive headlines caught my attention this month. Firstly, despite gin declining in the UK, global volumes were up by 2% in 2024 and, secondly, Diageo has purchased a majority stake in Nao Spirits (makers of Hapusa and Greater Than Gin) for US$15.2 million. However, the big story is rather a sad one.
At the end of the month The Gin To My Tonic announced they have ceased trading, explaining on Instagram that “navigating COVID, Brexit, Rapid Inflation, Cost Of Living & Tax increases has gradually chipped away at what we’ve built to the point we no longer recognise it [with] the change in government, continued alcohol duty increases and tax rises the final nail this year.” This is undoubtedly sad news for The Gin To My Tonic team, but with distilleries, exhibitors and attendees out of pocket, and accusations about The Gin To My Tonic’s operations since entering liquidation in March 2025, it looks like this could get a lot more messy.
New Gin Alerts
A few new gins have caught my eye, with Sipsmith’s limited edition Top Seed Gin – which features grass seed from Wimbledon’s Centre Court amongst its botanicals – at the top of the pile. Lind & Lime have also announced a travel retail exclusive Bergamotto Di Calabria Gin which sounds delicious, and June by G’Vine have released a fruity Mango & Passion Fruit Gin. Meanwhile Masons have collaborated on a new canned G&T with Franklin & Sons and Tarsier have been receiving lots of positive feedback on their striking new bottle.
My Month in Gin
June was another busy month, kicking off with the Gin Masters held at Home House London, and with World Gin Day at its centre, which my husband and I celebrated with Anand and Sid from Nao Spirits (prior to that big announcement above!) at two of my favourite local bars; Satan’s Whiskers and The Natural Philosopher.
With National Martini Day and World Martini Day both falling in June, there were plenty of martinis to be had too. I started the celebrations early at a magnificent martini masterclass at 58 and Co where (alongside great chat and gin) Founder Carmen O’Neal of Saturday Kitchen fame showed us how to make the perfect Vesper, which we enjoyed in a terrific tiny ‘tini. And of course I had to have a classic martini too. And an olive oil martini. And a dirty martini. And a filthy martini (mostly for the blue cheese stuffed olive)!
I was also lucky enough to enjoy a Martini Mineraux at Archive & Myth; a speakeasy style bar hidden below the Hippodrome Casino in London’s Leicester Square. Made with Renais Gin, limestone, Chablis and lemon oils, and garnished with a sliver of pickled grape and a spray that mimics the smell of rain, this mini martini is blisteringly cold and utterly delicious! Of course, while I was there I also had to try out the innovative menu, which offers minor and major (aka half size and full size) and alcohol-free versions of their cocktails, as well as the food from Chop Chop which is outstanding too.
And as if that wasn’t enough, I was also treated to a Martini Fitting Service at No. 3’s Martini Boutique! Under expert guidance, we learnt all about the history of the martini and No. 3 Gin before deconstructing the classic cocktail to discover our very own perfect martini, whether that be wet, dry, shaken, stirred, with a twist, an olive, or a drop of brine. I was almost tempted to go wetter than usual thanks to the always excellent Cocchi vermouth but, in the end, stuck with a 6:1 with a discarded twist and 3 olives cos I was feeling peckish!
The most bonkers event I attended in June (if not in all time!) had to be the the opening of The July in London’s Victoria. The invitation for the 116-room aparthotel may have promised “bubbles, beats and some surprises along the way”, but we had no idea what we would find when we ventured upstairs from the beautiful bar and restaurant. What we were greeted with was a mini house party in every room, with everything from cheese and wine and rum tastings to chefs serving up scallops, steak tartare and obscene amounts of truffles, to tarot readings, dj sets and even ear piercing! So naturally I knocked back a few delicious Whitebox Cocktails, enjoyed some extraordinary made-to-order canapés and got a couple of new piercings before throwing some shapes on the dance floor and chilling out on one of the super comfy beds!
And to wrap up the month I attended the inaugural Bar Convent London in Tobacco Dock. The heatwave really took its toll on everyone (especially Four Pillars Gin and BCB’s ice sculpture!) but, armed with my trusty Papa Salt fan, I managed to explore most of the site. It wasn’t the easiest to navigate (and the organisers definitely need to ensure they provide more water and spittoons next time) but I was pretty impressed with what I found, especially the impressive Schweppes Pioneers Highball Bar. Other highlights included Desi Daru’s Alphonso Mango Vodka (which was awarded 99/100 at IWSC!), Ukiyo Rice Vodka and Tokyo Dry Gin, The Lost Explorer, Witchmark Distillery and, of course, Teeling Whiskey‘s Frozen Irish Coffees!
Welcome to My Collection
Just one addition to the collection this month but it is the mighty 58 and Co London Dry Gin and a cute tiny ‘tini glass, so I’m very happy indeed!
Catching Up and Looking Forward
Talking of tiny ‘tinies, please do check out my latest column for Drinksbiz before you leave. And as for July, I’m really looking forward to Cocktails in the City. Maybe I’ll see you there? 🍸🛎🛎
Gin A Ding Ding 