The Padstow Distilling Summer Refreshment Guide

Long evenings. Cold drinks. Plenty of ice.

Summer changes the way we drink — and not everyone has the same taste in refreshment.

For some, it’s a classic G&T with plenty of tonic and a slice of lime. For others, it’s something sharper and more citrus-led, or perhaps a clean vodka serve poured long over soda and ice.

This is our guide to finding your perfect summer pour.

Summer Changes Everything

There’s a moment every year when drinking habits quietly shift.

The darker, richer flavours of winter fall away, replaced by drinks that feel colder, longer, brighter and far more refreshing. Glasses are filled with more ice. Citrus garnishes increase. Outdoor seating reappears, and evening socials stretch out a little further each week.

And while sunshine naturally changes what we reach for, it also changes what we expect from a drink.

Summer refreshment is rarely about sweetness or heaviness. More often, it’s about balance — clean spirits, sharp citrus, good tonic, chilled soda and the sort of flavours that feel genuinely thirst-quenching on a warm afternoon.

That’s why classic London Dry style gin remains such a natural summer drink. The combination of juniper, citrus and dryness works beautifully over ice, particularly when paired with the right garnish and a quality tonic.

But within that classic style, there’s still plenty of room for variation.

Some people prefer a clean, traditional juniper profile. Others lean toward brighter citrus notes, softer floral character, or the subtle savoury freshness that coastal botanicals can bring to a long drink.

And that’s where choosing the right gin becomes far more interesting than simply choosing a garnish.

There’s No Single “Perfect” Summer Gin

A good summer drink should feel personal.

Not everyone wants the same thing from a G&T, and “refreshing” can mean very different things depending on your palate.

For some, the perfect serve is crisp, classic and juniper-led — clean enough to let the tonic and citrus do their work. For others, refreshment comes through brighter citrus notes, softer floral edges, or a slightly more pronounced gin character that carries confidently through plenty of ice.

Coastal botanicals can also change the experience entirely, introducing subtle savoury notes and a freshness that feels unmistakably maritime without ever overpowering the glass.

The important thing is that there’s no right answer.

The best summer gin is simply the one that suits the way you like to drink.

With that in mind, here’s a simple guide to the different styles within our own range — and the sort of summer drinker each one tends to appeal to.

Which Padstow Gin Is Yours?

Summer refreshment means different things to different people.

Some prefer a clean, classic G&T with plenty of juniper and citrus. Others lean toward brighter citrus notes, softer floral edges, a subtle coastal freshness, or a gin with a little more presence.

To help simplify the choice, here’s a quick guide to the different styles within our range — and the sort of summer drinker each one tends to suit.

A Few Simple Rules for Proper Summer Refreshment

The best summer drinks are rarely complicated.

Plenty of ice. Good tonic or chilled soda. Fresh citrus. Proper glassware. And above all, a spirit with enough clarity and balance to stay refreshing from the first sip to the last.

Whether your summer leans toward classic G&Ts, coastal botanicals, citrus-led refreshment or long vodka serves over ice, the important thing is finding the style that suits you best — then pouring it properly.

Finding The Perfect Serve

One thing I've learned over the years is that there isn't a universally "correct" Gin & Tonic.

When I first started drinking G&Ts, they were often free-poured with more enthusiasm than precision. One glass might be completely different from the next, even when using the same gin and tonic.

The beauty of a G&T is that the ingredients themselves are remarkably consistent. The gin doesn't change. The tonic doesn't change. So if you've found a combination you enjoy, why leave the result to chance?

For me, a G&T always starts with a measured 50ml pour of gin. Not because it's the "right" amount, but because it's the amount I enjoy most. And because I measure it every time, I know exactly what I'm getting.

Some people prefer a lighter serve. Others enjoy a more gin-forward G&T. Neither is wrong.

My advice is simple: find the ratio that works for you, measure it, and enjoy the same perfect serve every time.

After all, the best G&T isn't the one somebody else tells you is perfect. It's the one you genuinely enjoy drinking.

Cheers!