Ten gins to buy for Mother’s Day 2024

Mother’s Day is coming! Mothering Sunday is imminent! It’ll be here on 10 March and nother can be done to stop it. Except perhaps an asteroid hitting the earth. But that is very unlikely so we recommend you buy something for your mother like a bottle of gin. Cos mothers like gin, right? So from classic bottlings to go in your G&T to unusual botanicals, here are ten gins to buy for Mother’s Day.

Gin Mare Mediterranean

Mediterranean gin comes near Barcelona; it’s distilled in a thirteenth century chapel in an ancient fishing village where every bottle is unique as every year the star product, arbequina olive, changes acidity. Gin Mare is made with a variety of botanicals including rosemary, thyme, basil with lots of zest. It’s a great food gin, try it on the rocks with a slice of lemon and plate of anchovies. 

Barra Atlantic

From way out west comes Barra Atlantic Gin! Produced on a remote island off the west coast of Scotland, this expression features a selection of 17 botanicals, including Carrageen seaweed picked from the shores of Barra. Delicately savoury, with softly sweet and spicy balance imparted by the other supporting botanicals, this expression is immensely impressive. Serve in a G&T with a good wedge of pink grapefruit, or try it in some classic gin cocktails.

Gin d’Azur 

Inspired by the sunny shores of the Côte d’Azur and distilled in Cognac, Gin d’Azur makes the most of its Provençal botanicals. Each one has been harvested at its aromatic peak, and then they’re all distilled separately. The botanical list includes lavender, Menton lemon peel, marjoram, mountain savory, rosemary, star anise, thyme and the all important juniper, along with a touch of Camargue salt.

Rock Rose Gin

Rock Rose Gin is made at the Dunnet Bay Distillery all the way up in Caithness, Scotland. This very northerly gin features an alluring botanical selection including locally harvested rhodiola rosea, rowan berries, sea buckthorn, blaeberries, verbena, roriander seed, cardamom and juniper from two different countries – Italy and Bulgaria. They use a traditional copper pot still, which of course has a name (it’s Elizabeth).

Tanqueray No. Ten

Introduced in 2000, Tanqueray No. Ten is named after the still of its origin, pot still number 10, which is quite endearingly nicknamed Tiny Ten. The small batch gin is crafted using whole fresh citrus fruits, such as oranges, limes and grapefruit, along with chamomile flowers and other traditional botanicals. Expect a burst of citrus with every sip. Quite notably, it is also the only gin to secure a spot in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition Hall of Fame. Makes a mean Dry Martini.

Mermaid Zest 

If your mother likes a gin with a coastal edge then look no further. This spectacular seaside gin from Isle of Wight Distillery sees the folks’ original Mermaid Gin – with coastal rock samphire and Boadicea hops – get an added spray of citrus from Isle of Wight-grown bergamot and foraged rosemary. Mermaid Zest Gin is a bright and refreshing affair, which ought to shine in a Tom Collins.

Bluecoat Elderflower

Philadelphia Distilling has gone and created a fantastically floral variation of its flagship expression, Bluecoat American Dry Gin, by bringing a hearty helping of elderflower into the mix! The elderflower is macerated in the gin for two weeks, imparting a brilliantly fragrant brightness to the already marvellous expression, and we reckon it’ll be perfect for all sorts of summery cocktails. This expression was originally a distillery exclusive, but now you can now get your hands on it without having to go all the way to Philadelphia!

Sipsmith London Dry Gin

Produced in the workshop previously used by the late, great Michael Jackson (whisky writer, not Moonwalker), this super-small-batch artisinal gin is flavoured with restraint, making it easier for the natural quality of the spirit to shine through. Distilled in a marvellously compact pot/column still combo named Prudence, Sipsmith epitomises distilling on a truly artisanal scale. At the time of her installation, Prudence was the first copper pot still to be brought to life in London for over 200 years.

Hendrick’s Flora Adora 

A limited-edition addition to the Hendrick’s range, it might not surprise you to find out that Flora Adora is a particularly floral affair. The original Hendrick’s DNA of rose and cucumber is still alive and well, but with the addition of floral botanicals that are particularly favoured by pollinating insects. New additions to the Hendrick’s range have always arisen from the inspiration of master distiller Lesley Gracie, and this time she was struck while watching pollination at play in her garden on the Ayrshire coast of Scotland. 

Bathtub Gin – Persian Lime & Orange Blossom

A zealously zesty, vibrantly floral offering from Bathtub Gin. This edition sees the delicious cold-compounded spirit infused with the elegant flavours of Persian lime and orange blossom. This dry and unsweetened expression is awesomely aromatic, with an abundance of zesty lime peel and citrus oil bolstering the bold juniper and gentle spices at its core. Works brilliantly mixed with bitter lemon or tonic water.