The Ultimate Guide to Gin: Styles, Serves & Choosing the Right Gin for Your Event

Gin has evolved far beyond the classic gin and tonic.

What was once a simple combination of gin, tonic and perhaps a slice of lemon has become an incredibly diverse drinks category, with hundreds of distilleries producing gins with completely different flavour profiles, botanicals and personalities.

For weddings, private parties and corporate events, a well-curated gin selection can give guests the opportunity to discover something new while adding another layer of sophistication to the bar.

At South East Bar Hire, we're passionate about creating drinks experiences that feel considered rather than generic. Here's our guide to some of the different gin options worth considering for your next event.

London Dry Gin

London Dry is arguably the style most people associate with traditional gin.

Despite its name, it doesn't have to be produced in London. The term refers to the way the gin is produced rather than its geographical origin.

Typically juniper-forward, London Dry gins tend to have a classic, crisp and aromatic character, making them particularly versatile for a traditional G&T or classic cocktails.

Best served with:A premium Indian tonic, plenty of ice and a simple lemon or grapefruit garnish.

Contemporary & Botanical Gins

For guests looking for something a little different, contemporary botanical gins offer a huge amount of variety.

Distillers increasingly experiment with ingredients such as herbs, spices, flowers, fruits and unusual botanicals to create distinctive flavours.

You might find gins featuring:

• Elderflower

• Lavender

• Rosemary

• Basil

• Cardamom

• Pink peppercorn

• Cucumber

• Grapefruit

• Orange

• Raspberry

• Rhubarb

These can be particularly effective at weddings because they allow you to offer several different flavour profiles rather than simply serving one standard gin.

Citrus-Forward Gins

If you prefer something fresh, bright and refreshing, a citrus-led gin could be the perfect choice.

These gins often feature grapefruit, orange, lemon, lime or other citrus botanicals, producing a lighter and more vibrant drink.

Perfect for: summer weddings, garden parties and outdoor receptions.

Try serving with a Mediterranean-style tonic and a fresh orange or grapefruit garnish.

Pink Gin

Pink gin has become hugely popular over recent years, particularly at weddings and summer events.

These gins can range from subtly fruity to distinctly sweet, with flavours such as strawberry, raspberry, rhubarb and red berries often featuring prominently.

They're visually appealing too, making them particularly popular for drinks receptions and events where presentation matters.

Our tip: Don't assume every pink gin is sweet. There are significant differences between brands, so it's worth choosing carefully depending on the overall drinks menu.

Old Tom Gin

For something with a little more history, consider Old Tom gin.

It's generally sweeter and softer than a traditional London Dry, making it an excellent choice for classic cocktails.

Old Tom works particularly well in cocktails such as the Tom Collins and can provide an interesting alternative for guests who don't usually drink traditional gin.

Navy Strength Gin

For the more adventurous gin drinker, there's Navy Strength.

These gins have a significantly higher ABV than standard gin and are traditionally associated with a strength of around 57% ABV.

They tend to deliver a much more intense flavour and are best approached with a little caution!

For a wedding or private event, we would generally recommend offering Navy Strength as a specialist option rather than making it the main gin on the bar.

What About the Tonic?

The gin is only half of the drink.

The tonic you choose can dramatically change the final flavour.

A premium gin paired with the wrong tonic can easily overpower the botanicals, while the right tonic can bring out flavours you may not have noticed initially.

Some options include:

Indian tonic – classic, crisp and versatile.

Mediterranean tonic – generally lighter and often works beautifully with floral and citrus-led gins.

Elderflower tonic – sweeter and more aromatic.

Light tonic – ideal for guests looking for a lower-calorie option.

Flavoured tonics – can add another dimension to fruit-forward or contemporary gins.

This is why we believe a quality gin experience should offer more than simply one bottle of gin and one bottle of tonic.

The Garnish Makes a Difference

Garnishes aren't simply there to make a drink look good.

Used correctly, they can complement the botanicals within the gin and enhance the overall drinking experience.

Depending on the gin, you might use:

🍋 Lemon

🍊 Orange

🍇 Grapefruit

🌿 Rosemary

🌱 Basil

🥒 Cucumber

🫐 Berries

🌸 Edible flowers

The key is restraint. A beautiful garnish should enhance the drink rather than overwhelm it.

Creating a Gin Bar for Your Wedding

If you're a gin lover, why limit your wedding bar to one bottle?

A dedicated gin selection can become a feature in its own right.

You could offer guests a choice of:

Classic – a traditional London Dry with Indian tonic.

Citrus – a bright citrus-led gin with Mediterranean tonic.

Floral – a botanical gin with elderflower tonic.

Fruity – a berry or pink gin with a complementary tonic.

Premium – a more unusual small-batch or specialist gin for guests wanting to try something different.

This creates a more interactive experience and gives guests the opportunity to choose a drink that suits their taste.

The South East Bar Hire Approach

At South East Bar Hire, we believe your event bar should feel like part of the occasion — not simply a service point at the side of the room.

Whether you're planning a luxury wedding, private celebration or corporate event, we can help create a drinks selection around your guests and the style of your event.

From premium gins and carefully selected tonics to fresh garnishes, professional bartenders and beautifully presented bars, we take care of the details.

Because when the drinks are right, the service is right and the bar looks exceptional, it becomes part of the experience.

Planning an event?

Talk to South East Bar Hire about creating a bespoke premium bar experience for your guests.