National Gin Day is a global celebration dedicated to the juniper-flavored spirit, bringing together gin enthusiasts worldwide to appreciate this beloved drink in all its forms.
Quick Facts
When is it: Second Saturday in June
Tagged as: World Gin Day/National Gin Day
What’s the hashtag: #WorldGinDay
When was it founded: 2009
Who founded it: Neil Houston in Birmingham, UK
History
The celebration began as a small gathering in Birmingham when Neil Houston wanted to bring friends together to enjoy gin. Emma Stokes (known as Gin Monkey) later took charge in 2013, transforming it into a global phenomenon. Today, the event spans over 30 countries, reaching more than 200 million people on social media.
Timeline
- 13th century: First mention of ‘jenever’ in European literature
- 17th century: Dutch distilleries begin medicinal gin production
- 1720s: London’s Gin Craze begins
- 2009: First World Gin Day celebration
- 2013: Emma Stokes takes over event management
Upcoming Dates
| Year | Month | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | June | 8 | Saturday |
| 2025 | June | 14 | Saturday |
| 2026 | June | 13 | Saturday |
| 2027 | June | 12 | Saturday |
| 2028 | June | 10 | Saturday |
| 2029 | June | 9 | Saturday |
How It’s Observed
People celebrate by attending gin tastings, visiting distilleries, mixing cocktails, and sharing their gin experiences on social media. Many bars and distilleries offer special events and promotions.
Fun Facts About Gin
- Originally used as medicine by European monks
- Doctors during the Plague stuffed their masks with juniper
- The Philippines is one of the world’s largest gin consumers
- Gin must contain at least 40% alcohol
- London’s “Gin Craze” saw 25% of households producing gin
Quiz
- Where did gin and tonic originate?
- What’s the main flavoring in gin?
- When was the first World Gin Day?
-(Answers: 1. Colonial India, 2. Juniper, 3. 2009)
FAQs
- What’s the most popular gin brand? Tanqueray London Dry Gin
- Where was gin first created? In southern Italian monasteries
- What’s the minimum alcohol content? 40%
Related Celebrations
- International Gin and Tonic Day
- National Gin and Tonic Day (US)
- International Scottish Gin Day