16 local gins you should be itching to try

By Natasha Ferguson

They keep saying that the gin bubble is going to burst but instead it just keeps getting bigger, and so it should – it’s delicious!

The thing about gin is, it’s so versatile; it has its base botanicals that we all know and love but there really are unlimited combinations of flavours and it lends itself to them all beautifully. 

In this city we love a bit of get up and go, an entrepreneurial spirit and of course, we love gin – so meet these 16 local gins you absolutely must sample (if you haven’t already of course)…

Liverpool Gin

We have to start with the OG right? This one put local premium gins on the map, and we must thank them for it. It’s beautiful in its original form but comes in a variety of flavours such as lemongrass and rose petals but the real hero in the stall is the Valencian Orange. While so many gins combine several fruits or flavours, Liverpool Gin likes to go in strong with one banging hero flavour and does it well.

Find out more here.

Crosby Gin

Made with botanicals directly from our sand dunes and surrounding area, this coastal gin is like a refreshing beach walk in a glass. Serve with plenty of ice, a premium tonic water (because why tarnish a premium gin with anything less) and a slice of juicy lemon for the ultimate seaside G&T.

Find out more here.

Everton Gin

Some say the taste is quite bitter (calm down, calm down, we love you blues!) but we love this traditional taste named in honour of a traditional club. Serve with citrus and tonic in a big balloon glass and shout at the telly to your hearts content.

Find out more here.

Anfield Gin

We can’t have an Everton gin without a nod to its rival across the park. Another traditional gin but this time with hints of orange, elderflower and liquorice, this is the perfect addition to any red’s alcohol collection. Raise a glass to the recent Premier League champions and then have another to toast the future 7^th CL win?

Find out more here.

Anfield Strawberry Blush

There were two Anfield gins released around the same time and they’re both champions. This gin with a strawberry flavour and a red colour is for those who prefer a bit of added flavour to their gin while they cheer on the red men. Created by a father and daughter team of super fans, they were determined to make a gin that the local area could be proud of and we’re positive they’ve succeeded.

Find out more here.

Scouse Bird Gin

The queen of socials and all things Scouse, she loves gin so much she decided to make her own. Rather than starting with a dry gin and branching out into flavours, she made the flavours first and the dry gin came later. All the Scouse Bird gins have a floral element in common so whether it’s the pink grapefruit and rose petal (the first SB gin), the mango, passionfruit and hibiscus (the summer hero) or the unusual lavender and lychee (the bestseller – described as like a grown-up Parma violet), there’s definitely something for the Scouse Bird in your life.  Best drank with the girls, the gays, the theys and a gossip!

Find out more here.

Murphy’s Gin

This family ran brand has their own distillery and bar so you can go and sample some of their delicious flavour combinations right on the premises where it’s made. Pomegranate and kaffir lime, orange and passionfruit or your traditional dry gin, whichever tickles your fancy, you’re guaranteed not to be disappointed. You absolutely must try the orange espresso martini made with their orange and passionfruit gin rather than vodka, it’s a life changing cocktail!

Find out more here.

Turncoat Gin

This powerhouse of gin production has taken up residence in the albert dock and of course that’s why they’re best placed to make the super strength Albert Dock gin. Other stars of the show include their collaboration with Leaf on Bold Street to create the Bold Street Chai, the far east influenced Dragon Tears gin and customer favourite ‘Our man in Sicily’ with all the zestiness of Sicilian lemons. If you’ve not treated yourself to a Turncoat yet, then are you really a fan of gin?

Find out more here.

Gibbons Gin

Relative newcomers to the gin game, this is one steeped in local myth and legend. The full story is on their website and deserves a read – is it true? Either way, their gin is truly fantastic, and it comes from the team’s painstaking commitment to getting the flavours just right. They won’t rush, they believe in waiting until everything is perfection. Their new rhubarb and vanilla offering is worthy of legendary status.

Find out more here.

Agrigento Gin

Now technically, although this is named after and inspired by a little-known area of Sicily, this gin flavoured with lemons, oranges and a pinch of sea salt is local. Created by the Carlisi brothers (of Carlisi bar on Dale Street) who are honorary scousers anyway, this is distilled right here in the city. Liverpool would be in a right state if it wasn’t for the EU, so the fact that the botanicals in this gin are authentically Sicilian makes it the perfect Scouse/European fusion. Serve with premium tonic, citrus garnish and plenty of sunshine – but be warned, you’ll have gone through a whole bottle before you realise.

Find out more here.

Rascal Gin

As the name suggests this gin is a bit cheeky. Bottled in a uber masculine opaque brown bottle this looks like the type of gin you need an axe, a lumberjack shirt and some beard oil to buy. Of course, once you pop the cork it’s a different story, you’re instantly greeted by the aroma of passionfruit, and everyone knows that’s a pornstar martinis best friend. It’s surprising, its contradictory but overall and most importantly, it’s delicious.

Find out more here.

Scouse Gin

Mersey beets for the Mersey beat. In a play on words, this gin pays homage to the iconic Mersey Beat music scene by using Mersey beets (yes that’s right, beetroot) as its main botanical. It might sound a little strange but when beetroot isn’t pickled and in a jar it’s actually quite sweet, so it makes for an unusual but pleasant flavour! Best served with plain tonic, black pepper and fresh strawberries for a G&T that’ll make you want to twist and shout.

Find out more here.

Aintree Gin

As colourful as the jockey silks you’ll see at the world-famous racecourse, this range of gins is distilled in the shadow of the home of the Grand National itself. The team are never afraid to be adventurous with flavours as you’ll find favourites like Wild Apple or Pink Grapefruit alongside the more unusual like Banana or Kiwi. Whichever you go for, the brightly coloured bottles mean they’ll stand out like a beautiful rainbow on any shelf and I’m sure every lady with a fascinator will be sipping on these come race season this year!

Find out more here.

Three Graces

Named for the iconic waterfront, this delicately flavoured gin has been a firm local favourite for years. It’s pink gin but not as you know it – instead of the more obvious berries they’ve chosen roses for their colour and sweetness. It’s as sophisticated as our glorious waterfront.

Find out more here.

Ginsmiths

Based in the achingly cool Baltic Triangle, this fearless gin brand carefully selects its ingredients from around the globe. They have everything from super strength merchant navy gin (guaranteed to put hairs on your chest) to pink and fluffy style marshmallow gin and no list of amazing local gins would be complete without a nod to this fantastic brand.

Find out more here.

Tappers Gin

Over the river on ‘the dark side’ you’ll find the Tappers distillery who are fully committed to reviving the art of gin. Their flavours are many and their bottles are stunning (the pink gin is a must have, even if it’s just to ogle the bottle) but their most famous offerings are their Darkside gin and their Wintergreen aromatic. Just try and keep us away from the Hydropathic Pudding Summer Fruits Cup as soon as the sun comes out though!

Find out more here.

As dry January draws to a close, we trust we’ve given you plenty of inspiration to start February nice and wet. The only question is, which one are you going to try first?