March is always an auspicious time, nowhere more so than in the countryside where we at the Maytime Inn are so lucky to be positioned. The 20th marked the official first day of spring and with it came the promise of bright fresh days, long evenings and of course new and exciting seasonal produce in the pub’s kitchen.

With the wastes of winter now behind you, we think you’ve earned yourself a stiff drink to welcome the more clement seasons. So, if you’re looking for a gin with a seasonally-appropriate amount of zest and zing, here are our three recommendations.

Williams Elegant 48 Gin

Made from rare varieties of apples grown on the distillery farm’s own 200-year-old orchard, which are fermented into cider, before being distilled twice — the second time with those quintessentially British gin botanicals. William’s Elegant 48 Gin is spring in a bottle with a fruity, full-bodied and slightly sharp flavour.

Best served with Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic and a slice of apple.

6 O’Clock Gin

Made by well-known English liqueur producers, Bramley and Gage. This is a traditional English gin with all the botanicals you would expect, however, there are also some strong citrus and elderflower notes, with a full floral backing. This gin won the ‘Super Premium’ Category of the Gin Masters awards back in 2014, and it is as the name would suggest the perfect tipple to unwind with after work on a spring evening.

Keep it classic by serving it with Fever Tree Original Tonic and a slice of lemon.

Becketts

Manufactured in London, the historic epicentre of gin. Becketts infuse their gin with English juniper, a variety of the plant that is close to extinction, as such the distiller works closely with the National Trust to protect this historically important botanical.

A splendidly simple gin, Becketts only use 6 botanicals which creates a harmoniously smooth spirit with notes of citrus zest and bittersweet elements.

How to best drink it? Fever Tree Elderflower tonic and a touch of mint and you will be dreaming of English picnics.

Happy drinking