The cardinal gin sin that you should avoid

Today is World Gin Day - and a lot of drinkers may be unaware they have been committing a cardinal gin sin.

Philip Kingscott, an ambassador for a Scottish distillery Edinburgh Gin, advises that there is one mixer that you should never blend with.

Out of all the spirits, gin is one of the most versatile but....

“Gin is already rich in taste so any mixer with a heavy flavour - like cola or lemonade - will drown the gin’s taste," says Kingscott.

"The sweetness of these drinks is too overbearing to enjoy a gin’s qualities.

“If you do like a mixer with lots of flavour, perhaps try Edinburgh Gin’s Cannonball or Rhubarb and Ginger gins, which can at least punch their way through stronger flavours.”

Kingscott has named fiveeways to enjoy World Gin Day.

1. Glassware

Drink your gin and tonic from a mug if you want. Have it in a giant fishbowl with streamers and sparklers if that what’s you like. And don’t forget to add ice - as much as you like.

2.Try The Gin Neat First

Open the bottle, pour a wee splash into a glass, give it a sniff and then taste. Give it ten seconds to work all the way around your palate before you swallow. What do you taste? Where do you get the sensation of it on your palette. Go back and try it neat again, has it changed?

3. Garnish

Now that you’ve tried it neat, look at what it says on the bottle. Look at the website for the distillery. What garnish do they recommend? Do you agree?

4. Mixer

You don’t want to overpower the gin, so the lighter the better. Try a light tonic or a classic Indian tonic.

5. No Two Tastes Are The Same

By trying the gin neat first and then getting to grips with what you like about it, you can serve it the way you’d like.

Edinburgh Gin can be purchased online at https://www.swiftys.com.au/