All gin enthusiasts are invited! On World Gin Day, which is honoured globally on June 10, we ask you to toast this crisp and bubbly spirit, which is ideal for a variety of spring and summer cocktails. We speak with representatives from three Saskatoon distilleries about what makes their gins special and some of their preferred gin concoctions.

Did you know that Saskatoon has a large number of breweries and bars that specialise in cocktails? Spend a weekend or two exploring the greatest cocktail bars in Saskatoon or trying some of our unusual breweries in and around the city.

World Gin Day with Stumbletown Distilling

There are an incredible number of gins available (they have created 12 different gins so far!). For all flavour, Stumbletown Distilling has you covered. A powerful New Western-style gin created with regional components such sea buckthorn berries, birch bark, spruce sap, and rosehips is their most well-known Original Gin. Their Snap Pea Gin, which features notes of vibrant, fresh snap pea and melon, is a spring/summer favourite. Try their Original or Snap Pea in the Greenhouse, a gin-based spin on the garden gimlet (recipe below).

The Greenhouse

• Cucumber slices
• Mint leaves
• Snap pea
• ¾ oz. Lime juice
• 2 oz. Snap Pea Gin or Original Gin
• 1/2 oz. Simple syrup

Cucumber and mint should be added to a bar mixer and muddled. Shake the simple syrup, gin of your choice, and lime juice. Snap peas and mint leaves are used as garnish after a double strain is made into a coupe glass.

World Gin Day with Lucky Bastard Distillers

To produce a gin in the New Western Dry style, Lucky Bastard Distillers organically infuse their premium vodka with juniper, lemon peel, chamomile, cloves, anise, coriander, angelica root, and Saskatoon berries. In a Gin Gin Mule (recipe below), the combination of botanicals creates a flowery, citrus, and savoury flavour that is simple to appreciate. Notably, Lucky Bastard Gambit Gin is the province of Saskatchewan’s first legally produced gin since Prohibition!

Gin Gin Mul

• 1 oz. Lucky Bastard Gambit Gin
• ½ oz. Ginger syrup
• 4 Sprigs of fresh mint
• Lime wedge
• Soda Water

Instructions: Gin, mint, ginger syrup, and lime should be combined in a rocks glass or mule cup. Muddle. Add some ice, then pour soda water on top. Before serving, stir, then top with a wedge of fresh lime.

World Gin Day with Black Fox Farm & Distillery

Take a day trip to Black Fox Farm & Distillery, which is conveniently located in the heart of the Canadian prairies, only a short drive south of Saskatoon. They use primary ingredients that are grown in their own prairie fields to create a variety of premium gins, such as Oaked Gin, Canadian Gin, Haskap Gin, and Cucumber Gin. A uPick flower patch, distillery tours, and alcohol samples are available on-site.

Haskap Mule

• 1 oz. Black Fox Haskap Gin
• Fever Tree Ginger Beer

Instructions: Pour Fever Tree Ginger Beer over ice in a glass. To make a magnificent float, slowly pour Black Fox Haskap Gin over the top.