Food

The gin bar in your kitchen

Glasses for gin with Darlington high balls

Glasses for gin with Darlington high balls

The popularity of gin is so great that there are so many varieties out there to choose from – or should I say try.

As a gin lover I have managed to acquire a small but lovely collection of different brands – some of them I’ve bought myself, some I have been given by friends. For me, a bottle of nice gin is the perfect present for any occasion!

I really like the Blackwells gin, and Pinkster is a really light taste and I love the pink colour. Wirral Gin is good of course, as it is distilled in the place I called home for 10 years, oh and it’s pretty strong too. Not that that’s a requisite for gin in my book, but sometimes it’s nice to have one with a bit of a kick, you know what I mean?

I was given two bottles for Christmas, one bottle of Silent Pool from my sister Katie, who I visited the home of Slingsby gin with last year, and one bottle of Hendricks from my sister-in-law Jehane and mother-in-law Alice. I’ve tried both gins and they are delicious!

gin with orange

These new additions have led to the creation of a mini gin bar in my home, one which was inspired by Rachel The Ordinary Lovely, who transformed a bookcase into a bar last year. Genius, right?

My bar is more of a cupboard top, but still it looks pretty cool and even if it doesn’t stay it will be recreated next time I have friends round for dinner or drinks.

Just before Christmas I was asked if I’d like to try out some gin glasses from Dartington Crystal, and so I’ve been using these two lovely Exmoor Highball ones to see how they make the gin taste. The verdict is, of course, good!

Don’t you find it really makes a difference when you drink from a good quality glass rather than a chunkier wine glass or tumbler? It certainly gives more of a bar/restaurant feel than drinking from the other mismatched water glasses in my cupboard.

Dartington gin glasses close up

My gin collection

They are pretty heavy which makes them feel expensive too – and at £48 a pair I guess they are pricier than anything I’ve bought before, but Dartington is such a classic, quality name that they are worth investing in. My mum and dad said they always used to buy glasses from there and built up a collection bit by bit – which is what I might be doing as I already have a Dartington gin set, a gift from colleagues when I left my last job.

The large ‘copa’ glass you can see in the last photograph was part of the Gintuition set, which is currently out of stock but worth waiting for.

They are the kind of glasses many bars serve their speciality gins in now, garnished with things like juniper berries, or the things I’ve chosen here, redcurrants, fresh rosemary and orange.

So many flavours to play with, so little time! Do you like gin? I’d love to hear how you serve yours. Oh, and let’s be clear, there is absolutely nothing wrong with ice and a slice, or straight from a can!

x Julia

Dartington gin glass with love sign

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8 Comments

  • Reply
    Tracey Williams
    January 20, 2017 at 12:31 pm

    I had such a hard job finding gin glasses on the high street, I ordered them online in the end. I love your gin bar and I am now thinking about where I can create one. I love what Rachel did too. Oooo I got a bottle of Hendricks for my birthday, it just needs opening tonight. Hurrah for all things gin x
    Tracey Williams recently posted…Little Loves – Birthdays, Meals out and kids growing upMy Profile

  • Reply
    Sarah Christie
    January 20, 2017 at 9:21 pm

    Oh i LOVE those glasses they are gorgeous, and perfect for gin drinking. I love Silent pool, and have you tried Brockmans it is amazing, beautiful pics Julia x
    Sarah Christie recently posted…5 Hints and Tips For Staying In StuttgartMy Profile

  • Reply
    Mini Travellers/FuelledbyLatte
    January 21, 2017 at 11:32 am

    Absolutely gorgeous, I adore that tray too
    Mini Travellers/FuelledbyLatte recently posted…8 Places to Visit with Kids at Easter Within 8 Hours of the UKMy Profile

  • Reply
    Suzanne
    January 21, 2017 at 11:37 am

    Great minds think alike Julia – you’ll love my fine post! I’m a fan of gin too (clearly) and yes, I think Dartington is worth every penny. Can’t drink it from a can though – sorry! X

  • Reply
    Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely
    January 22, 2017 at 9:14 pm

    Yay, you did it!!! Every home needs a gin bar. ‘Tis essential!!! 🙂 xxx
    Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely recently posted…Time for a bedroom makeoverMy Profile

  • Reply
    Caro | The Twinkle Diaries
    January 23, 2017 at 4:38 pm

    YES. You know my thoughts on this!!!! EVERYONE needs a home gin bar. Weirdly enough, I’ve just drafted a new gin post showing my five current faves!! 🙂 High fiving you myself for having a great mind that thinks like yours! And yes — the type of glass definitely alters the taste! 😉
    Caro | The Twinkle Diaries recently posted…202 weeks and 1 day | {Siblings January}My Profile

  • Reply
    Katie Haydock
    February 3, 2017 at 9:27 pm

    Girl after my own heart <3
    Katie Haydock recently posted…Slimming World Cheap and Cheerful BabychinoMy Profile

  • Reply
    DiscomBUBulated
    March 2, 2017 at 12:11 pm

    This is a truly beautiful post!! I adore gin. I’m going to get myself a gin bar….xx

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