Who dares gins

Oisin shares top recipes for World Gin Day, so we can stay in high spirits

- BY LARISSA NOLAN

IT'S World Gin Day and top mixologist Oisin Davis is sharing his gin cocktails to mark the occasion.

Gin Day is the second Saturday in June, and is held to appreciate its history and culture.

Cocktail expert and drinks aficionado Oisin explains: “There are spicy gins that are great for martinis, herbal gins that are best served with tonic, and fruitier gins that work really well in long refreshing summer coolers.

“Pick up an Irish gin if you can - we have such an incredible range and variety of gin distilleries here.”

Gin has become a big trend in recent years. Celebrity gin makers include Snoop Dogg, Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt.

Premium Irish gin has continued to grow, going from a handful of distilleries to more than 50 nationwide.

One of the standouts is the excellent Drumshambo Gunpowder Irish gin, made in its Leitrim distillery The Shed.

Gin originated in the 11th century, when Italian monks used juniper berries to flavour distilled spirits.

However, Holland is credited as its birthplace, with William of Orange introducing it to his subjects in the 17th century. London later became a gin-making epicentre.

This weekend, food and drink festival Taste will also raise a glass to World Gin Day with distillery forager Geraldine Kavanagh hosting Glendalough Distillery’s masterclass experience.

Here, Oisin shares his best recipes...

1. FROZEN GIN & TONIC