I have been drinking copious amounts of gin since the beginning of June, much to my nutritionist’s utter annoyance (“Gail at a certain point you have to stop drinking like a fish!”).
…Or something like that. I kinda tune her out once she begins nagging.
I could not justify it better than by saying, “Hey, it’s World Gin Day, what do you expect?”
…Or so I thought. See, this is where the confusion lies with non-drink enthusiasts: Why are people drinking more than a day for what sounds like a one day celebration?
Honestly, because… Why not? Isn’t World Gin Month a better concept than World Gin Day…? It’s just that the original title sounds better.
Kidding aside, though. World Gin Day was started by Neil Huston in 2009 and was then taken over in 2013 by cocktail blogger Emma Stokes (aka Gin Monkey). The day is meant to celebrate all things gin, no matter how hardcore the drinker is (from gin newbies to seasoned drinkers). It has since become a global festivity and has officially been set every second Saturday of June (supposedly to have Sunday for recovery).
This year’s World Gin Day technically starts on 8 June, but our friends from DrinkManila.com has this for a month-long lineup:
When: 7 June 2019, Friday
Where: Bar Rouge, New World Makati Hotel (Esperanza Street corner Makati Avenue)
Bar Rouge
What’s Happening:
5pm to 9pmPeople can taste 12 variants of gin from Apotheke Craft Spirits in the G&T Buffet for only P1,000. First five customers will get an Ocean Madison Burgundy glass and a gift from 8! Botanicals. Featured gin brands include Martin Miller’s Gin (England), Chase GB Gin (England), Gin Sul (Germany), Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz (Australia), ARC Gin and ARC Gin Barrel Reserve (Philippines), Citadelle Reserve (France), Filliers Pine Blossom and Tangerine Blossom (Belgium), Del Professore Monsieur and Del Professore Madame (Italy), and Roby Marton (Italy).
9pm to 12mn
Icy Mariñas (DrinkManila.com’s resident mixologist) will do a special guest bar shift featuring cocktails using ARC Gin Barrel Reserve, Del Professore Madame, and Martin Miller’s Gin, together with Giffard Syrups and Liqueurs. The hotel’s bartenders will also feature their own special gin creation using Gin Sul. During the event, guests can share their gin cocktail photos on Facebook or Instagram. People with the most creative posts will win prizes.
When: 9 June 2019, Sunday; 5pm to 9pm
Where: Kartel Rooftop Bar (above Dr. Wine), 5921 Algier, Poblacion, Makati
What’s Happening:
Celebrating World Gin Day with the rest of the world (factoring the time difference, of course!), people can enjoy the Drink-All-You-Can G&T and Craft Gin Cocktails prepared by Icy Mariñas featuring 12 gin brands from Apotheke Craft Spirits and Monin Syrups. It will go hand in hand with Kartel’s K.S.B. (Kill The Sunday Blues) promotion, and DJ Limsum will be providing the evening’s music.
Oh, did I mention… All this is only P1,000?
When: 14 June 2019, Friday
Where: Bevvy, UPRRC III Building, 2289 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati
What’s Happening:
4pm to 9pm
G&T Buffet featuring 8 gin variants from Don Revy for only P1,000. Featured gins include Belgravia, J.J. Whitley London Dry, J.J. Whitley Nettle, J.J. Whitley Elderflower, Whitley Neill Raspberry, Whitley Neill Small Batch, and Whitley Neill Rubbarb.
9pm to 12mn
Easy Eight Botanical Kit by 8! Botanicals
DrinkManila.com’s resident mixologist Icy Mariñas will take over the bar with her signature gin cocktails featuring Whitley Neill Lemongrass and Ginger Gin, Whitley Neill Orange Gin, Whitley Neill Aloe and Cucumber Gin, and Monin Syrups. Those who’d like to create their own G&Ts at home can purchase 8! Botanicals Easy Eight Botanical Kit during the event.
When: 21 June 2019, Friday
Where: Bar Rouge, New World Makati Hotel (Esperanza Street corner Makati Avenue)
What’s Happening:
DrinkManila.com will go full circle and bring it back to Bar Rouge, this time with Booze Online.
7pm to 9pm
For only P1,000, people can sample (and drink, naturally) any of these 6 gins from Booze Online: Ramsbury Gin, Hanami, Empress 1908 Gin (pro tip: Put a little lemon on this and watch it change colours), Langley’s No. 08, Langley’s Old Tom Gin, and Etsu Gin.
9pm to 12mn
Just some of Mariñas’ creations. Yes, that is an ube mochi ball.
Icy Mariñas returns for a guest bar shift featuring fun gin cocktails using Hanami and Empress 1908 Gin.
For more information, visit DrinkManila.com. See you there and cheers!
