This is the second set of posts for #GinADayMay 2020. They are from Instagram (not Twitter) as they were more detailed and the #hashtags have mainly been removed

Day 16: Navy #GinADayMay. Yorkshire’s makers have evocative names for their navy strength gins. Outlaw by @york_gin Yorkshire Strength from @forgedinwakefield Trawler by @humberstreetdistillery Harbinger by @thelickerishtooth The photo was best I could do in lockdown: the background is a watercolour by my Yorkshire mother.

Day 17: Distillery #ginadaymay The first gin distillery I visited in my research for YORKSHIRE’S GINS was Locksley in Sheffield. Cynthia showed me round and we talked gin, flavours and distilling in the top floor distillery. Then we explored the packing rooms and she showed me where the gin school would be. It’s all housed in the Portland Works which are fascinating in their own right. And the Locksley stainless steel still reflects the fact that Sheffield’s claim to fame – stainless steel cutlery – was first made in the Portland Works. John Cherry was one of Yorkshire’s first gin makers and he created the versatile Sir Robin of Locksley Gin – great for both sipping and cocktails. Since 2017 he has make it at the Portland Works where he continues his experimentation producing innovative styles – for instance using wine barrels. Take a look around with the swipe-though of photos.
@locksleydistilling

‪ Day 18: Miniatures #GinADayMay not a very big collection of small bottles. Cheers @whitbygin @1881distillery @lussagin @masonsyorkshiregin @militaryspirit @smithies_gin @kinraradistillery @daffysgin @fifty50gin @perthgin @pentlandhillsgin @linlithgowdistillery @caorunngin @lakesdistillery @darnleysgin @williamkerrsgin @truenorthbrewco @mcleansgin @sipsmith @gordonsginuk @gordoncastlescotland @strathearn_distillery @royalyachtbritannia @etna_gin @tanqueraygin @kokorogin @thewensleydaleheiferofficial @edinburghgin

Day 19: Event #GinADayMay a gem from Gin to My Tonic in Sheffield last summer at the spectacular Cutlers Hall. Met @locksleydistilling @theartfulpour @YorkshireExplo4 in research for @GinsYorks book. Loved Sheffield too.

Day 20: London #GinADayMay In January with YORKSHIRE’S GINS submitted to the publisher, I headed to London and managed to visit two very different distilleries. Sipsmith and Beefeater. Quite different but equally interesting. @sipsmith @beefeater_london @gin_a_ding_ding #london #gin

Day 21: Innovation #GinADayMay Having researched hundreds of gins there really isn’t much that is really innovative in the gin world. Unusual botanicals, interesting finishes, funky bottles grab headlines but it’s usually the maker’s passion which makes the difference to the gin

Day 22: Garnish #GinADayMay back to basics on a summer’s day – lemon is the long g&t’s partner. Cheers #ginoclock #friday #cocktailhour #gin #lemon

Day 23: Red #ginadaymay At this time of year eastern Britain is our fruit basket. Red soft fruit is ripening in fields from Kent to Angus. A liqueur made from Angus blueberries by @theginbothy is the only gin-related red liquid in my collection. Gin Bothy’s public face is at the gates of the grand Glamis Castle. The Bothy Experience is a wonderful contrast taking you into the real world of rural life in Scotland through the ages. The fact there is gin to taste at the end is a bonus. The picture of the bottle doesn’t do justice to the depth of colour of the liqueur. I’ll probably use this Gin Bothy liqueur as my secret dinner party weapon. I’m always busy and often invite folks over for food but I’m usually focussed on the savoury part. So my fail-safe store cupboard dessert is to dribble the liqueur over cut berries – add ice cream, bought meringues and chocolate drops (some or all). I’ve even had guests assemble it themselves. Cheers @glamiscastlescotland

Day 24: Glassware #ginadaymay It is all in the stem. Cheers #glassware

Day 25 & Day 26: Old & New #ginadaymay Peebles Hydro has long been a Scottish icon: a favourite destination for generations of Scots looking to recharge their batteries. Last year, the hotel joined the modern gin revolution with a distillery, four gins, gin school and bespoke tonics. The 1881 Distillery takes its name from the date the Hydro opened. The gins use the hotel for inspiration, calling on its gardens for Pavilion Pink Hydro Gin, or a devastating fire for the Subtly Smoked edition, using water from the private spring which allowed it to be a hydropathic resort in the first place. The tonics hook up to the second phase of the modern gin revolution: the perfect matching of mixer to gin. With the gin school to educate – in the nicest way possible – the next generation of gin drinkers and makers, 1881 seems the perfect combination for this post. Cheers @1881distillery @peebleshydro

Day 27: Sloe – and slow – #GinADayMay Sloe gin is best homemade – only then do you get the slow joy of waiting for the result.

Day 28: No/low #GinADayMay interesting concept but Gin is 37% ABV min. For a non-alcoholic drink, straight tonic is a great option Lots missing from the lockdown larder @yorkshiretonics @gascoignesyorkshiretonics @cushiedoos @1881distillery @bonaccorddrinks @waltergregors @fentimansltd @fevertreemixers @schweppes

Day 29: Martini #GinADayMay good excuse to learn how to make one …. now where do I begin? Any suggestions for a tutorial? I hope I can find a martini glass – l didn’t have time to ask neighbours today. In the meantime enjoy my garden which is really flourishing now.
Comment from: mackintoshsteph Have a wee look at @martiniclubuk. Martinis are great but it’s also about finding the right one for yourself. You’ll have to try it a couple of different ways and ratios first but once you find it, it’s perfect
Comment from: veronhale Glorious flowers.

Day 30: Quirky #GinADayMay in Yorkshire the quirkiest brand is probably @hootingowldistillery Some of the quirkiest gin flavours come from in its Miss Mollies range or @raisthorpemanor Details in my book YORKSHIRE’S GINS @gnbooks Cheers @gin_a_ding_ding  or @raisthorpemanor with its Shimmer gins (as well as liqueurs). Details in my book YORKSHIRE’S GINS @gnbooks Cheers ‪

Day 31: Perfect Serve #GinADayMay a long cool g&t in celebration of posting every day this month. Have enjoyed highlighting Yorkshire’s gins and sharing the research for my book. Thank you Sarah @gin_a_ding_ding for a great challenge. Here’s to 2021 @gnbooks @GinsYorks
Comment from: gin_a_ding_ding  Thanks for taking part!

Postscript
At the end of a month of intense social media, one final post on the topic semed in order

4 June – In a nutshell: the highlights of #ginadaymay Great fun to take part Thanks to Sarah @gin_a_ding_ding for setting it up. In these strange times it was a welcome distraction. And a chance to experience the gin community when face-to-face meeting is not possible.

GADMFL53