A Gin Lover's Guide to World Gin Day in South Australia

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Fri 12 Jun 2026 - Sun 14 Jun 2026

Celebrate World Gin Day in South Australia with gin festivals, tastings, distillery events, masterclasses and cocktail experiences across Adelaide and regional SA. Discover the best gin events happening this June.



There are certain things I rarely say no to, and a well-made gin martini is one of them.

Whether it's a classic London Dry, a beautifully balanced Australian botanical gin, a Japanese favourite like Roku, or one of the exceptional craft gins being produced right here in South Australia, gin has become one of those drinks that rewards curiosity. Every distillery seems to tell a different story through its botanicals, flavours and local ingredients.

World Gin Day is arriving this weekend, and South Australia is embracing the occasion with tastings, festivals, masterclasses and distillery events across the state. If you're a fellow gin enthusiast, here are a few events worth adding to your weekend plans.

Adelaide Gin & Spirits Festival
Adelaide Convention Centre | 12–14 June
This is arguably the biggest event on the calendar for gin lovers, with more than 45 Australian distillers gathering under one roof for three days of tastings, conversations and discoveries. If you're the type of person who enjoys comparing a traditional London Dry against contemporary Australian botanicals, this is your playground. The festival offers multiple tasting sessions, giving visitors the opportunity to sample a remarkable range of gin and craft spirits while meeting the people behind the brands.

Flight Club at The Howling Owl
Adelaide CBD | Saturday 13 June
The Howling Owl has long been one of Adelaide's spiritual homes for gin lovers. For World Gin Day, they're hosting Flight Club, featuring a micro gin fair, new winter cocktails, gin tastings and a charity-supported "Round the World" gin flight. The evening promises local distillers, interstate producers, DJs and plenty of opportunities to discover something new. A gin tasting with a good cause attached is difficult to argue with.

Prohibition Liquor Co – World Gin Day Celebrations
Seppeltsfield & Gilbert Street | Saturday 13 June

Prohibition has become one of South Australia's most recognisable gin brands, and World Gin Day provides the perfect excuse to revisit their range. Both the Seppeltsfield Distillery and the Gilbert Street venue will host tastings, gin flights, cocktails, and special World Gin Day celebrations throughout the day. If you're introducing someone to South Australian gin for the first time, Prohibition remains an excellent place to start.

23rd Street Distillery World Gin Weekend
Twenty-third St, Renmark SA 5341 | 6–8 June
For those willing to venture further afield, 23rd Street Distillery in Renmark transformed the long weekend into a celebration of all things gin. Alongside tastings and cocktails, visitors could participate in gin-blending masterclasses and create their own personalised botanical combinations.

Few things are more enjoyable for a gin enthusiast than understanding how the spirit is actually crafted.

Gin & Wildflower Soirée
Ginny Pig Distillery, Mount Compass | Saturday 13 June
This might be the most distinctive event of the lot, combining botanical artwork, wildflowers, and award-winning gin; the evening offers a creative alternative to the traditional tasting experience. Guests can enjoy a hands-on workshop while sampling the distillery's botanical gin range. It feels wonderfully South Australian — local, creative and just a little bit different.

A Few Personal Gin Favourites

Everyone has their favourites, and mine continue to evolve. Roku remains one of the most elegant Japanese gins available, balancing six traditional Japanese botanicals with remarkable subtlety and creating a beautifully smooth martini. Closer to home, Never Never continues to produce some of Australia's most awarded and respected gins, while 78 Degrees has earned a loyal following for its bold character and distinctly South Australian identity. Four Pillars Japanese Ginzu is another favourite, blending traditional gin botanicals with Japanese-inspired influences to create something both familiar and distinctive. Byron Bay Gin rounds out the list with a contemporary Australian style showcasing native botanicals and coastal character. Of course, there will always be a place in my cabinet for a classic London Dry. Juniper-forward, crisp, clean and unapologetically traditional. Some favourites become favourites for a reason. Then there is the timeless appeal of a proper London Dry. Juniper-forward, crisp, clean and unapologetically classic. Sometimes the old favourites become favourites for a reason.

A Final Thought One of the reasons I enjoy gin so much is that no two bottles are quite the same.

Wine reflects its vineyard. Gin reflects the imagination of its distiller. This World Gin Day, whether you're attending a festival, visiting a distillery, or simply enjoying a quiet martini at home, take the opportunity to try something new. You may just discover your next favourite bottle.

Salute'

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