News and Blog

The Puss & Mew vending machine first used illegally in the 18th century made a comeback in the York Gin shop to keep customers safe from the coronavirus.The Puss & Mew vending machine (in the shape of a cat) first appeared on the side of a London house as a way to evade the Gin Act of 1736 (which tried stop the people drinking too much during the ‘Gin Craze’).A drinker asked if the ‘puss’ had any gin. If it ‘mewed’, they put a coin in its mouth - and the person inside the house woul …

Here’s the advice we gave gin and tonic drinkers at the start of the Covid crisis back in 2020. Most is still true.Coronavirus or Covid gin and tonic basicsWash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Make sure you rinse your hands thoroughly because a soapy G&T is not a good G&T.And - if you’re wearing a mask - remember to take it off while you're drinking your G&T.IngredientsA very good quality gin, such as any of the York Gin range. To keep up morale, you don’t wan …

The Yorkshire Post has published a major feature on the thriving Yorkshire gin industry.Why is Yorkshire gin so good?Greg Wright, the highly-acclaimed deputy business editor, was keen to understand why Yorkshire gins have become such world beaters in recent years - and what the future may hold for Yorkshire gin makers and gin distilleries.He quoted York Gin and the bigger and more established gin company, Masons, at length - both companies’ gin is made in Yorkshire. Several photos of our shop an …

Bah humbug - Gin shop in Christmas city bans modern festive hitsA gin shop in one of Britain’s most Christmassy cities has banned modern Christmas songs.The York Gin shop has banned Mariah Carey, Wizzard, Slade, Wham! and even Cliff Richard, Shaky and The Wombles.Bosses say they’re doing it to help staff morale and customer satisfaction - and because modern songs sound weird in their 16th Century Tudor building.York was voted the UK's Most Festive City in 2017.York Gin Co-Director Emma Godivala …

For a drink to be described as ‘gin’, it needs alcohol and a certain predominant taste. In terms of alcohol strength, it needs to be at least 37.5% ABV - alcohol by volume. And the predominant taste needs to be juniper.The alcohol comes form neutral spirit and the juniper taste comes from juniper berries. Water is used to dilute the alcohol to the required strength.Once these minimum requirements are met, a gin maker is free to do lots of interesting things with this spirit.Gin makers use all ki …