The City of London has a rich gin history. During the Gin Craze in the 18th century there was a gin distillery or gin shop in every street in the City benefiting from the spices and citrus fruits coming in to the port of London.

When the Gin Craze ended, very few gin distilleries survived, and for nearly 200 years there wasn’t a single gin distillery in the City. That is until the City of London Distillery opened in 2012.

The City of London Distillery opened on 20th December 2012 inside Jonathan Clark’s cocktail bar in Bride Lane, within the City of London.

The production of gin began on a pair of 200L copper stills named Clarissa and Jennifer (named after ‘The Two Fat Ladies’ of the BBC food show). Their first gin was a classic London Dry Gin – followed soon after by our celebration of the City of London – Square Mile gin. Since then they’ve added a very popular Sloe gin, an Old Tom gin, a Christopher Wren gin as well as the contemporary flavours Six Bells Lemon Gin, Murcian Orange Gin and Rhubarb and Rose Gin to their range.

In 2016 a larger 500L pot still was bought in alongside the original pair to scale up production. This new larger still was launched in 2016 to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday and named Elizabeth accordingly.

Old Tom Gin

City of London Distillery Old Tom Gin is a beautiful modern style of Old Tom Gin that emphasises subtlety. Enjoy a measure of City of London Distillery Old Tom Gin poured over ice, with Navas Premium Tonic, a slice of orange, with a cinnamon stick.

Six Bells Lemon Gin

City of London Distillery Six Bells Lemon Gin is a complex and bright citrus forward gin infused with delicious Spanish lemons. Enjoy a measure of City of London Distillery Six Bells Lemon Gin poured over ice, with Navas Garden Tonic, a slice of lemon, with a sprig of rosemary.