A gin lover's ultimate guide to cocktails and classes in Sheffield

Gin is en vogue across the world, but Sheffield is one of the best places to be for gin lovers (Photo: Shutterstock)Gin is en vogue across the world, but Sheffield is one of the best places to be for gin lovers (Photo: Shutterstock)
Gin is en vogue across the world, but Sheffield is one of the best places to be for gin lovers (Photo: Shutterstock)

Sheffield has well and truly embraced gin, with its own local distilleries, as well as bars and gin schools offering a wealth of varieties from around the world.

Forget Dry January and welcome Dry Ginuary with Sheffield’s best gin distillers, bars and gin experiences.

Locally produced gins

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From Yorkshire Tea to Henderson's Relish, a lot of local flavour goes into Sheffield-made gin (Photo: Masons Dry Yorkshire Gin)

Two distilleries in the city and another based in Yorkshire are producing acclaimed local gins, from standard dry to unusual varieties involving Sheffield Honey and Yorkshire Tea.

True North Sheffield Dry Gin

The first gin to be distilled and bottled in Sheffield in over 100 years, True North Sheffield Dry Gin, is distilled in a handmade copper still imported from Portugal in small batches by head distiller, Ben Schulze.

True North use a unique blend of Sheffield water and a range of locally sourced botanicals, including dried juniper, fennel, gentian root, grapefruit and lemon peel, as well as a touch of Henderson's Relish.

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Alongside the traditional dry gin, special editions include Hops & Honey Gin (with citra and simcoe hops and sweetened with a generous measure of Sheffield Honey) and Spiced Fig & Victoria Plum - a warming, fruity gin with nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, and locally foraged figs and Victoria plums.

Available at True North venues, and at bars, farmers markets and venues across Sheffield – truenorthbrewco.uk

Sir Robin of Locksley Distilled Artisan Gin

Based at Portland Works (and named in honour of a favourite Yorkshire lad and local legend, Robin Hood), Sir Robin of Locksley offer a gin that falls somewhere between a London Dry style and an Old Tom.

You’ll taste up-front juniper notes, with delicate aromas of elderflower, warm cassia and dandelion. Pink grapefruit adds an underlying sweetness and lingering citrus finish.

Try it on its own, or with pink grapefruit peel.

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Available at bars and stockists across Sheffield – locksleydistilling.com

Masons Yorkshire Gin

A little further afield, Masons Yorkshire Gin is distilled in the North Yorkshire market town of Bedale in copper alembic stills.

Its traditional slow distillation method involves pure Yorkshire water and a balance of juniper (they even have their own juniper bushes), citrus and botanicals.

Each 70cl bottle bears its own hand-written batch and bottle number.

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As well as their traditional dry gin, Masons also produce a limited edition peppered pear version, a lavender take, and a Yorkshire Tea gin.

Available at bars and stockists across Yorkshire – masonsyorkshiregin.com

Sheffield gin bars and experiences

Whether you want to learn how to make cocktails or just drink them, Sheffield has plenty of options (Photo: Shutterstock)

Whether you want to learn more about the history of gin, or just try some homegrown or more exotic varieties, Sheffield is full of places to fall in love with Mother's Ruin.

Sheffield School of Gin

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At the Sheffield School of Gin you can learn all about the history of gin, develop a deeper understanding of botanicals, and become an expert in garnishes, as well as meeting the Sheffield Dry Gin distiller to find out what it takes to produce craft distilled gin.

During your visit you will develop your own blend to take home, and receive a Sheffield Dry Gin and Franklin tonic and a gin cocktail to taste.

Finish the three-hour experience with the curator's choice cocktail at The Devonshire.

Visit: 127 – 129 Devonshire Street, S3 7SB – truenorthbrewco.uk/sheffield-school-of-gin

The Gin Bar at Vintedge

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Situated on Abbeydale Road in Sheffield’s Antiques Quarter, the new Gin Bar at Vintedge serves more than 50 different gins, as well as a gin-inspired cocktail menu.

For something different, try a Ginsecco - prosecco blended with flavoured gins.

Fans of the hit TV show might like to try Peaky Blinder Spiced Dry Gin, which nods to the cocktail culture of the 1920s and is made from a selection of nine exotic botanicals.

Visit: 448 Abbeydale Road, S7 1FR – twitter.com/vintedge448

Trippets Lounge Bar

You can try the ever-increasing range of over 70 gins in a comfortable jazz lounge at Trippets, where bartenders are happy to guide guests through their Gin Bible.

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As well as more familiar brands, the list includes Rock Rose Gin (made at the Dunnet Bay Distillery all the way up in Caithness, Scotland), Koskue (an aged rye-based gin from Kyrö distillery in Finland), and F.E.W Gin (made in the town of Evanston, Illinois).

Visit: 89 Trippet Lane, S1 4EL – trippetsloungebar.co.uk

The Devonshire

As well as stocking Sheffield Dry Gin, distilled a stone’s throw away, The Devonshire have 100 or so English, Scottish, French, American and German varieties to try.

From Elephant Gin handmade in Germany to artisanal Islay gin, there’s plenty to discover, and true enthusiasts can learn more at one of their monthly gin schools.

Visit: 113 – 117 Devonshire Street, S3 7SB – thedevonshiresheffield.co.uk