In the Spirit of June

Celebrating gin in June makes sense: with World Gin Day on June 14 and more gins being produced far and wide, many are keen to celebrate this fascinating beverage. Moving beyond the days of “bathtub gin” to the now botanical-heavy spirits crafted with diverse aromatics, this juniper-forward drink is experiencing a global renaissance. 

While Canada is making its mark with high-quality gins, several unsuspecting countries are using locally grown botanicals to produce their outstanding versions contained within eye-catching packaging. Below are five unique gins to celebrate World Gin Day this month.

Desert Gin, 78 Degrees Distillery, Australia: Known for its bold, jammy shiraz and crisp, dry riesling, one thinks of wine first, not gin, when considering what to drink in the land ‘Down Under.’ This gin from 78 Degrees Distillery could challenge that. Founded by a winemaker, the distillery takes its name from the boiling point of ethanol, which is 78 degrees. Using botanicals found in the Adelaide Hills area of southern Australia, their uniquely crafted gins are a benchmark in craft distilling. The Desert Gin, with a botanical profile that includes lime and orange, pays homage to the sun-drenched deserts of the Oceania continent. This overproof gin would make a fantastic gimlet or cocktail that’s citrus-forward.

Saigon Baigur Gin, Vietnam: The first gin to be distilled in Ho Chi Minh City, this extraordinary gin contains 12 unique local botanicals, including Saigon cinnamon, lotus flower, and the citrus fruit, Buddha’s hand. The bottle design, inspired by the scales of a mythological dragon that the locals believe represents power and prosperity, cannot be missed on store shelves. Imbue the essence of Vietnam by garnishing a classic gin and tonic with a lemon wheel and thyme to depict the dry season, and rosemary and peppercorn for those legendary hot and humid, rainy days.

Levantine Gin, M&H Distillery, Israel: From the land flowing with milk and honey, M&H is Israel’s first whisky distillery. Located in the heart of Tel Aviv, surrounded by distinct architecture, lively open-air markets, and within walking distance to nearby beaches, this distillery is woven into the very fabric of the culture. Although whisky is the primary focus, M&H produces four different gins made from 100 per cent malted barley. Triple-distilled, the Levantine Gin features the requisite juniper, plus ingredients like za’atar, lemon peel, orange, chamomile, verbena, cinnamon, and black pepper—all sourced from local markets.

Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin, India: While India has made its mark with some epic whisky production, this spirit from Jaisalmer—the former Rampur Distillery—is a standout in the gin category. Seven of the 11 hand-picked botanicals in the recipe are sourced from all corners of the country. Using a triple-distilled neutral grain spirit, then re-distilled in a copper pot, this smooth, aromatic gin needs nothing other than club soda and an orange slice. However, if looking to experiment, one can find a list of cocktail recipes hanging around the neck of the elegant bottle featuring the image of a buck etched in gold on a black label.

KO, Kenya: KO (Kenya Originals) gins symbolize a taste of the Sahara. The distillery was born in 2016 with a humble cider and later expanded its production to award-winning gins crafted with botanicals sourced from locales around the country. Under the African Originals umbrella, the company strives to create a positive, lasting impact across Africa by giving small-scale farmers opportunities to boost their income, and providing leadership opportunities to Maasai women. These initiatives showcase not only Kenya but the entire country of Africa.