Sustainable Gins (better brands to choose)
ISH is a Danish non-alcohol gin (also as ready-made gin and tonic).
Gin uses juniper, which grows in England, so there are plenty of sustainable brands to choose from. Rather than buy multi-nationals, why not try artisan brands?
Most artisan spirits are mixed with tonic water, and quinine should be avoided for some medical conditions (and pregnancy/nursing, but then hopefully you’re not drinking gin anyway). Also check medication before consuming grapefruit or rhubarb tonic waters.
For glass bottles, cork is too dense to compost, so recycle at off licenses or send off in bulk to Recorked (don’t leave them lying around, they are choking hazards).
For cans of tonic water (or gin/soda blends), pop ring-pulls back over holes (and pinch tops shut) before recycling, to avoid wildlife getting trapped.
Sapling Spirits (world’s first climate-positive gin)
Sapling Spirits has now launched a climate-positive gin, to go with its vodkas. A classic twist on a London Dry, this blends juniper with citrus zest and hints of rosemary. For every bottle sold, a tree is planted.
From fruit trees in London to hazelnut trees in Suffolk (the sleepy endangered dormice will be happy, that’s their favourite food before bedding down for winter!)
Salcombe Gin (helping ocean conservation)
Salcombe Gin is a sustainable gin bursting with flavours of fresh grapefruit, classic juniper and botanicals, inspired by the sailing community, and donating some profits to marine conservation to protect ocean habitats.
Four Seas gin helps to fund RNLI, to help our heroic lifeboat crews.
It’s light alcohol spirits include:
- First Light (juniper, citrus, ginger, orange, sage)
- Midnight Sun (a ‘pink gin’ with coastal berries, kelp and pine)
- Aegean Sky (citrus and olive for a Mediterranean taste).
Graveney London Dry Gin (from Tooting)
Graveney London Dry Gin is organic and locally owned in Tooting (power to the people!) It blends juniper with floral notes and citrus zing, perfect for a martini or negroni.
NcNean Botanical Spirit (from Scotland)
Nc’Nean Botanical Spirit (Scotland) is a gin alternative, from one of the best peat-free whisky brands. This organic spirit combines classical botanicals like juniper, coriander, angelica, liquorice, chamomile and grapefruit with local Scottish plants, for a malty fruity drink.
Gins that help other creatures (there are lots!)
- Clouded Leopard Gin uses profits to help the charity Born Free, which helps rescue animals from zoos and investigates reports of zoo welfare.
- Silverback Gin is sold in three versions (mountain strength, clementine and strawberry), along with a vodka. A portion of profits benefit gorilla conservation.
- Elephant Gin uses profits to help wild elephant charities, and also sells coffee liqueur and ready-to-drink negroni.
- Wildheart Sanctuary Gin helps raise funds on the Isle of Wight. Also on the Isle of Wight is Hedgerow Gin which raises money for the local donkey sanctuary.
- Puddingstone Distillery donates £2 from each bottle to Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, to help protect endangered bats.
- Tarsier Gin donates 10% of profits to help tarsiers, one of the world’s smallest primates that is native to the Philippines. They have been around 45 million years, yet are now endangered due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.
