4 Incredible Islands You Have To Drink Gin On

We Brits love a classic G&T, but gin is a firm favourite all around the world – and local cultures inspire food pairings, botanical blends and even serving styles in all kinds of amazing ways. These five amazing islands are doing gin their own way! 

As one of the places with the world’s highest consumption of gin, Spain is the go-to place for a true gin experience.  And, if you want to enjoy Spanish gin,  then Menorca is the place to go. This Spanish island has its own gin, called Gin de Menorca, made with ingredients sourced from the island. The taste is very much like your usual gin, but with a higher alcohol content, this gin is drier and stronger. Drink this gin out of the popular Copa glass, inspired by chefs who drank out of wine glasses as a way to keep their beverages cool for longer in hot kitchens. The unique shape of the Copa glass helps trap the botanical aroma of the gin, therefore enhancing the flavour. 

The small British island of Guernsey is an underdog for those seeking a flavoursome gin adventure. Food is a key part of the Guernsey experience thanks to the vast bounty this island has on offer from both sea and land.  
A trip to Guernsey offers a host of experiences, like kayaking and
guided walks along the seafront, but gin is just as popular here as on the mainland! Whether you’re taking distillery tours, looking at the history of gin (whilst drinking gin) or sampling local botanicals like gorse and rock samphire, this island is a gin-lover’s delight. 

While not itself an island, the coastal region of Goa has many isles and inlets to explore --  and India has a deep-rooted connection to gin. Before it became our go-to tipple, gin was used for medicinal purposes, to give the tonic water and cinchona mixture used as an antimalarial a more palatable taste. Lo and behold, the G&T (complete with ice and a slice) was born! Next time you have a gin with your dinner, try pairing it with a curry. Gin and curry is a marriage of flavours that’ll leave your taste buds dancing for joy – especially since neither flavour overpowers the other. It’s a natural fit when you consider that many of the herbs and spices that often make an appearance in some of our favourite gins are grown in India, including peppercorns, coriander and basil.
 

The Indonesian island of Bali doesn’t spring to mind when thinking about gin. But you’d be surprised to know that Indonesia, as well as neighbouring Asian countries like the Philippines, are big on gin. As the host of 11% of the world’s flowering plants, you’re bound to experience a burst of unusual flavours on this beautiful island. Cassia, also known as Chinese cinnamon, is a popular gin botanical that can be found in Indonesia. From a culinary standpoint, there is so much this island can offer you thanks to the variety of spices at hand. When paired with a gin, the flavours are taken to new heights. Local bars even infuse gin with exotic fruits like mango, pineapples and coconut.