4 min readDo you know your juniper from your geneva? Is ‘gin o’clock’ scheduled firmly into your diary? Never mind the cider, Bristol has several gin distilleries to its name and plenty of places to drink this splendid spirit. If you’re looking for a bit of gin-spiration, get the Bristol gin lowdown here…
6 O'clock Gin
Made in Thornbury by a family-run business, 6 O’clock Gin stands out on shelves thanks to its Bristol-blue bottle. You can sample their range of gins with a waterside view, or join a gin masterclass, at their very own gin boat, 6 O'clock Gin at The Glassboat.
Image - 6 O'Clock Gin at The Glassboat
Psychopomp Micro-Distillery
Hidden in open view on St Michael’s Hill, Psychopomp produces craft-distilled gin in small batches and limited quantities. Get geeky about gin making in their regular workshops and tasting events, or book a Gin Lovers Masterclass via Yuup. Lessons include a tutored tasting, recipe development and distilling your very own gin.
Image - Psychopomp's bar and shop on St Michael's Hill
The Spirit of Bristol
Ethically crafted and beautifully packaged, you can choose from four varieties of locally-made Spirit of Bristol gin - from the classic, citrusy London Dry, to the navy strength Harbourside gin. Inspired by other Bristol districts are the floral Clifton Royale and the peppery Hotwells Spice. Visit their distillery and tasting room at The Milk Thistle in the city centre, or pick up a bottle from their online shop, or from a range of local retailers, including Spirited in Southville and Corks of Cotham.
Housed over four floors in one of Bristol’s finest historic buildings, The Milk Thistle serves some of the best tipples in the city. You’ll find leather chairs to sink into and delicious cocktail concoctions to imbibe within its atmospheric walls.
Image - Gin tasting at The Spirit of Bristol distillery
Spirited
This bottle shop in Southville also allows you to sit in and enjoy a highball cocktail or dram of your favourite tipple. Pair your G&T with a cheeseboard, or keep an eye to their events page for the latest tastings and boozy supper clubs.
Image - Spirited
The Merchant of Cotham
Enjoy a tutored tasting of a variety of craft gins, hosted by a gin expert at one of the Gin Masterclasses at The Merchant of Cotham, hosted on Saturdays and Sundays.
Image - The Merchant of Cotham
Food and drink tours
Explore the best of Bristol Gin in your own time with a self-guided tour from GOOD: Stories in Food. The GOOD Guide to Bristol Drinks has four stops, with tasting notes, distillery and venue history, and much more.
You can also do a small tour and tasting at The Alcoholery in Somerset, just a short drive or bus ride from Bristol.
Combine a tasty tour of the city with a chance to sample some local gins! Find gin experiences and tours from local businesses on Yuup Bristol.
Image - Yuup Bristol
Other top gin spots
Bristol Dry Gin
An olde-world coaching inn in Bristol’s medieval Old City, The Rummer has an eye-popping collection of spirits, including boutique and craft spirits made in its very own micro-distillery, Bristol Dry Gin, housed in the cellars below. Their full range is available to try on the cocktail menu or buy and take away with you. Pop down on a Friday or Saturday for regular local gin tastings.
Brozen
Try something a bit different and order one of the frozen G&Ts at Brozen, made in front of you using liquid nitrogen!
Enjoy a range of Spanish gins in G&Ts at this stylish tapas bar in Clifton - they also do a Pink Lemonade Sangria with strawberry gin!
Image - Bar 44
Bravas
If you like your gin accompanied by several sides of heavenly tapas, then head to Bravas on Cotham Hill – an authentic tapas bar serving proper, Spanish measures of gin from their outstanding gin menu. Psychopomp has concocted a bespoke recipe in collaboration with the restaurant – known as ‘Gin Bravas’ with Mediterranean-style green olive, nora pepper and almond botanicals.
Gin and Juice
Choose from over 350 gins, signature cocktails and spirits in the opulent settings of this stunning bar on Park Street.
Box-E
For the ultimate gin-consuming experience, head to foodie favourite Box-E. Inside this intimate shipping container, Chef Elliott Lidstone whips up some of the most celebrated food in Bristol. He also uses the spent gin botanicals from Psychopomp (yep, them again) to cure fish and pair it with the gin. Gin-ius!
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