Sip #1 2025

The Gin

Hi Reader, Happy New Year ! 🍸🎉
First, we want to take a moment to raise a glass to you.
Your enthusiasm and loyalty to THE GIN fuel our creativity. You're not just a reader—you’re part of our story.
Thank you for being a valued member of this spirited community.

Now, let’s dive into the very first edition of THE GIN for 2025!

Gins of the Week: Ginuary Gins 🎉

Ginuary is a month-long celebration dedicated to gin, observed in January. It's a play on words, combining "gin" and "January." The idea is to explore and appreciate the diverse world of gin, try new gin-based cocktails, discover different brands and flavors, and even create your unique gin infusions.

Many people use Ginuary to expand their knowledge of gin, experiment with mixology, and enjoy tastings. Whether you're a seasoned gin enthusiast or just curious about this versatile spirit, Ginuary is a fun way to kick off the new year with some delicious and creative drinks.

Here's our list of the best gins for Ginuary 2025, along with its flavor highlights on why they're worth trying:

Hernö Navy Strength (Sweden 🇸🇪): Offers a distinctive mossy and grassy flavor profile with a light, fluffy mallow sweetness, providing a unique tasting experience.
Edelwhite 57 Navy Strength Gin (Switzerland🇨🇭): Features a wonderful lemon citrus aroma that continues vividly on the palate, making it perfect for citrus-forward cocktails.
Black Powder Gin Flintlock Navy Strength (UK 🇬🇧): Surprisingly gentle on the nose with bold citrus and juniper notes, followed by spice and full juniper finish, offering a complex flavor journey.
Conniption Navy Strength Gin (USA 🇺🇸): Presents bright, well-defined elements with a sweet full mouthfeel and hints of earthiness, balanced with juniper notes.
Bright Night Wild Tasmanian Gin (Australia 🇦🇺): Multi-award-winning gin with Tasmanian pepper berries, citrus notes, and spices like cardamom and coriander showcasing unique Tasmanian botanicals.

Read about The Queen's Gin Ritual below👇

Ginuary | Daily Gin Drink Calendar

Story: The Queen's Gin Ritual 👑

Queen Elizabeth II cherished her daily traditions, especially her pre-lunch ritual of enjoying a gin and Dubonnet cocktail. This classic aperitif, mixed with two parts Dubonnet to one part gin, served over ice with a slice of lemon (pips removed), provided a delightful pause in her busy schedule.

This fondness for gin was inherited from her mother, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who also enjoyed the botanical spirit. The Queen Mother preferred a stronger mix, often equal parts gin and Dubonnet, reflecting her spirited personality. It's said that she once instructed her favorite page to pack two small bottles of Dubonnet and gin for a morning picnic, "in case it is needed."

Continuing this familial tradition, Queen Elizabeth II preferred a slightly milder ratio of two parts Dubonnet to one part gin. This choice not only honored her mother's tastes but also suited her own palate, creating a daily ritual that was both personal and steeped in royal history. The significance of Dubonnet within the royal family was further cemented when it was awarded a Royal Warrant in 2021, underscoring its place in their enduring traditions.

These daily libations were more than mere habits; they were a reflection of the Queen's connection to her heritage and her appreciation for the simple pleasures that punctuated her regal responsibilities. In the quiet moments before and after her midday meal, with a glass in hand, she partook in a familial legacy, toasting to continuity and the subtle joys of life.

NEXT Check out the Masterclass on Categories of Gin 📚 below 👇

The Dubonnet website 🍾

Masterclass: Categories of Gin 📚

Welcome to our masterclass on the Categories of Gin! Today you will learn an easy way to connect each gin type to its defining feature so that you can more easily recall their unique qualities and choose the perfect gin for your palate or cocktail creation.

Let's dive into five distinct styles, each with its own charm. To help you remember these styles, consider associating each name with its key characteristics

London Dry Gin: Known for its dry, juniper-forward flavor, this style doesn’t have to be made in London. No sweeteners or flavorings are added post-distillation, and it’s at least 37.5% ABV. 😏🍸
Navy Strength Gin: With a high-proof (around 57% ABV), this gin hails from the British Navy. Its strength ensured that even soaked gunpowder could ignite. 💪⚓🍹
Old Tom Gin: A sweeter gin from the 18th century, once used to mask harsh flavors. Now, it’s perfect for classics like the Tom Collins, with its rich, malty sweetness. 🎩🍯🍸
Sloe Gin: Technically a liqueur, made by infusing gin with sloe berries and sugar, resulting in a fruity, lower-alcohol drink (25-30% ABV). 🍇🐢🍹
Pink Gin: Originally a cocktail with Angostura bitters, modern Pink Gin is sweetened and infused with red fruits like strawberries, giving it a vibrant, fruity twist. 🌸🍓🍸

Checkout our Cocktail for the week: Queen's Gin and Dubonnet 🍷 below👇

Cocktail for the week: Queen's Gin and Dubonnet 🍷

Ingredients:

2 parts Dubonnet
1 part London Dry Gin
Ice cubes
1 slice of lemon (seeds removed)

Instructions:

Prepare the Glass: Fill a rocks glass or tumbler with ice cubes.
Mix the Ingredients: Pour 2 parts Dubonnet and 1 part gin over the ice.
Stir: Gently stir the mixture to combine.
Garnish: Add a slice of lemon (make sure to remove the seeds to keep it refined, just like the Queen preferred).

Checkout events and our community feature below 👇