We may be a nation of gin and tonic devotees, but that doesn’t mean that your imagination has to stop at ‘ice and a slice’. Take inspiration from a bottle’s botanicals, and choose a couple of those as a fresh garnish. Our favourites include slices of cucumber, a sprig of rosemary or a wedge of grapefruit, to name but a few. And what a range of options: This year is proving to be the year for gin lovers, with a growing number of brands experimenting with new botanicals and exciting combinations. London Dry Gin: The old guard brands mostly distill London Dry-style gin in the UK, although it does not actually have a geographical indicator. The main rules of this designation are that juniper must be the dominant flavor (as it is for all gin) and botanicals must flavor the gin during distillation, with no flavor or color added afterwards. Brands like Beefeater and Tanqueray are classics for a reason, but the world of gin has expanded enormously over the past 20 years as new distilleries tinker with the formula. Up to this time the Nolet Distillery had predominantly made genever, most of which was sold in the Netherlands where it was by far the biggest selling spirit. However, Carolus took over just as a price war was starting with several of the larger producers trying to squeeze out their smaller rivals. Rather than enter this price war Carolus launched a new, premium genever with a much higher price point. Supported by retailers whose margins had also been squeezed in the price war, the new genever, Ketel 1, named after the oldest pot still, Distilleerketel #1, went from strength to strength. Convinced by the potential future success of Ketel One vodka, Carl Jr, the oldest son moved to America to personally handle its sales and marketing. The family took the decision to launch Ketel One without any advertising, just word of mouth. Carl Jr. and his brother Bob literally went from bar to bar with a bottle of Ketel One and a videotape explaining how their vodka was made and generally educating bar owners and managers about their vodka and vodka production.

Hayman's Old Tom Gin is one of the best examples of this old-world style, though it was only recently launched in 2007. Produced by Hayman Distillers of Witham, England, it is based on a family recipe from the 1870s. Once a one-bottle brand, Aviation has expanded its portfolio to include Aviation Old Tom. It's the distillery's take on an old, sweeter style of gin, but they don't add sugars or flavorings, which is customary. Instead, they rely on whiskey barrel aging to bring out an Old Tom taste and accentuate the original Aviation's natural sweetness.From that first phone conversation, I sensed the friendly warmth and sense of calm the members of the Nolet family seem to exude. Always smartly presented in a sharp suit, complete with branded lapel pin, Bob, his brother Carl and father Carolus have an almost presidential air about them. But importantly, they are friendly people who remember names and faces.

You cannot miss Bombay Sapphire on the liquor shelf. Its blue bottle has an allure that will catch your eye, though the gin itself is not blue—look to Magellan Gin for that. If you have yet to taste genever, it is unlike any other gin you've had. This style of gin is as if a soft Scotch whisky were married with gin, and Bols' malty feel is a perfect example. Based on Lucas Bols' original recipe from 1820, it has a wonderful balance of sweet malt and subdued juniper and citrus. It is triple distilled using equal parts malt wine and neutral grain spirits that are infused with natural flavors.It’s a refreshing drink that’s made in a way, unlike any other gin on the market. The brand uses two almost antique stills to produce its award-winning gin, which is produced in batches of up to 500 liters at a time. By 2001, Ketel One vodka had grown to become a million case brand in America, which led the family to complement their 'conversational' marketing approach with the 'Dear Ketel One Drinker' advertising campaign. This heralded a new era for the brand. Aviation is produced in Portland, Oregon, by House Spirits Distillery. It is distilled from neutral grain spirit with 100 percent rye base, an unusual beginning in the gin market. It's flavored with juniper, anise seed, Elettaria cardamom, coriander, lavender, sweet orange peel, and sarsaparilla. It, too, is slightly overproofed, bottled at 42 percent ABV (84 proof), so it's not as delicate as it's often made out to be.