You know what they say: When life gives you lemons... make a gin and tonic.
That will certainly be the motto at Oxford Town Hall this weekend, when it plays host to a celebration of World Gin Day.
The festival, appropriately named, The Gin To My Tonic, runs tomorrow and Saturday and promises to be a slice of nirvana for aficionados of juniper-based beverages, bringing together over 100 different gins from across the UK and beyond.
The Gin To My Tonic is the brainchild of friends and fellow gin drinkers Emira Shepherd and Paul Hudson-Jones.
“We are delighted to be able to hold a Gin Festival across the World Gin Day weekend in our home city of Oxford for the people of Oxfordshire,” says Emira.
“We are also delighted that several local gin brands will be in attendance and showcasing their products and sharing the best that Oxfordshire has to offer.”
She added: “Each gin stocked behind the bars has been selected based on outstanding craftsmanship, delightful flavour and the most enjoyable drinking experiences.
“The festival is here to take you on a journey of gin discovery.”
Out of respect for conventions on the correct way to serve the spirit, measures are offered as 35ml servings, as opposed to the average 25ml as standard. Each gin is perfectly paired with a Fever-Tree mixer and garnish.
The Gin To My Tonic organisers pride themselves on their relationships with distilleries and have invited a range of established and emerging craft gins to add to the experience.
Emira says: “You’ll be able to pick their brains and discover more about their gins.”
The event is one of many events staged by the pair. Emira adds: “The Gin To My Tonic has quickly become a trusted and relatable source on all things gin, and with our range of gin-centric events, we continue our love of inspiring gin drinkers in a way that doesn’t come across as stuffy or inaccessible.”
Paul says: “Gin drinking habits have changed dramatically in the last five years and today’s gin drinkers demand to know more, not only about what they are purchasing, but also how it can be served.
“The Gin To My Tonic Festival is there to take you on a journey of discovery, we cannot think of a better way to celebrate World Gin Day than in Oxford”.
Tickets, costing £13.50, include a gin explorer guide, gin copa glass, tote bag & pen, stainless steel straw, access to 100+ gins and selected vodkas and rums, plus mixers, gin sampling and expert advice and live music.
The bar will operate on a token system with each token costing £5 for a 35ml measure of gin, garnish and Fever-Tree mixer. Cash and card payments are accepted.
Sessions run from 6.30-11pm tomorrow, and from noon-4.30pm and 6.30-11pm on Saturday. Book at thegintomytonic.com
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