Sunday 19th October 2025 is International G&T Day
International gin and tonic day is celebrated annually, and always falls on the 19th October.
The history of International Gin & Tonic Day
According to the group’s Facebook page, International G&T day was founded in remembrance of Mary Edith Keyburn, an adored gin lover, who passed away on 19th October 2010.
To celebrate Keyburn and her favourite drink of choice, her granddaughter, Jayne Withers, established the day as international gin and tonic day. The Facebook page was founded in 2012, and spread the word around the world! Now hosted by the Gin Guide on behalf of Jayne, each year local and virtual events for gin and tonic crop up globally.
Jayne writes, "Mary Edith was a remarkable woman who loved to have the occasional tipple of Gin & Tonic. She passed away in hospital on October 19th 2010 at the age of 95, with a Gin & Tonic at her side that was smuggled into the hospital in a water bottle and served in a teacup… we hope that you'll have a tipple on October 19th and that we can all make as gracious an exit from this life as Edith did."
What day is International G&T Day next year?
Next year, International Gin and Tonic day will be celebrated on Sunday 19th October 2025. Following that, Monday 19th October 2026.
How to Celebrate G&T Day!
Make the perfect gin and tonic
This may be an obvious excuse to treat yourself to a G&T, particularly as organisers of the event encourage participants to post a picture of themselves enjoying a gin and tonic on the day. We believe this is also a good opportunity to try out, and support, a local craft gin!
Taste test some new gin flavours
If you’re committed to making the most of International G&T day, why not try out a variety of gin flavours? A cost-effective way to do this is to source a miniature gins set. At Filey Distillery, our Mini Gins includes both of our award-winning and best-selling gins; our Signature Gin and our Pink Gin.
Tour your local gin distillery
One way to truly show your appreciation for gin is to see how it’s made! Many local craft gin distillery’s will provide tours which showcase the distillation process, all while sampling gin and tonics.
About Filey Distillery’s Tour & Gin Tasting Experience
- An introduction to Filey Distillery and the history of The Old Smokehouse
- Enjoy a Filey Signature Gin & Tonic - and keep the branded glass as a keepsake!
- Sample a selection of botanical - sniff, smell, feel and learn all about what we use in our gins
- Learn how our still produces such wonderful award-winning spirits
- Try new recipes still in development that we have yet to launch!
- Spend a £5 voucher in our ‘Shop’
Follow International Gin & Tonic Day on social media
Get active with the International Gin and Tonic Day’s global online community using the hashtag #internationalginandtonicday !
Find the Instagram here or Follow the Facebook Page here
FAQs
1. Is there a national gin and tonic day for the UK?
No, the United States of America celebrate their own ‘National Gin & Tonic day’ on 9th April annually, but the UK does not have a dedicated day for this.
2. What day is World Gin day?
World Gin Day will be celebrated on Saturday 14th June 2025.
3. International G&T celebration ideas for bars and pubs:
- Create an offer or discount for G&Ts
- Host a G&T themed event
- Run a competition or game to win a G&T kit
- Post on your social media accounts to commemorate!
4. The history of G&Ts
G&Ts are the by-product of British colonialism, and began in India during the 1700s, when a Scottish doctor, George Cleghorn, used quinine (an active ingredient in tonic water) to treat members of the British East India Company suffering from Malaria. Incredibly bitter on its own, by the 1800’s officers began pairing quinine/tonic water together with sugar, lime, and gin helped to balance the strong taste. At this time, gin was sold in Holland as a cure for medical issues such as stomach problems, and distilled with juniper berries only.
As the British Empire expanded, the popularity of G&Ts also grew, as a favourite cocktail among the elite. Now known as a British classic, pop culture continues to celebrate the drink, one famous reference being in the James Bond film and book; Dr. No.
