With a new generation of artisan distillers fuelling the gin renaissance, joining the gin crowd to celebrate World Gin Day (Saturday, June 13) is just the tonic.

Thanks to a renewed interest in cocktails and consumers seeking better quality spirits, the British gin industry has grown by 18% in the last two years, with sales of premium British gin growing by nearly 50% in the same period, according to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

The botanical mix must include juniper berries (by law), and then it's up to the distiller to shape their spirit, with fragrant aromatics and flavour-enhancing plants and herbs to create the perfect gin to serve with tonic, ice and slice.

To help you ease into gin o'clock, here are some well-made gins worth foraging for.. .

:: Bombay Sapphire Star of Bombay (£33.75, 70cl, www.thewhiskyexchange.com)

If you usually pour one part gin to two parts tonic, you may want to be a little less liberal with a measure of Star of Bombay, the latest expression from the House of Bombay. Another jewel in their crown and potent at 47.5% abv (as opposed to the average 40% abv), this more intense, exotic style has been embellished with two additional botanicals - bergamot orange peel and ambrette seeds - to create a distinctly perfumed note on the palate but still retains its gloriously refreshing finish.

:: Portobello Road Gin (£25, 70cl, www.waitrosecellar.com)

A genuinely good gin that takes its name from the world-famous thoroughfare and home to a bustling street market and The Ginstitute (the distiller's HQ), nine botanicals go into this beautifully balanced gin. It's juniper forward with peppery notes and the cassia bark is well integrated to give it depth of flavour. The recommended Portobello pour is with a twist of pink grapefruit to heighten the pleasure and bring the citrus flavours to life.

:: Langley's No 8 Gin (£28.87, 70cl, www.thedrinkshop.com)

Smartly dressed with a leather collar lending a masculine feel to this elegant black and white bottle, Langley's gin is aimed at men and the eight secret botanicals have been tailored to hold their own when mixed in a cocktail, or served with tonic. Robust and creamy with a lovely, sweet kick on the finish, the juniper and coriander linger on the palate while the citrus notes of lemon and Seville orange take a back seat.

:: Sipsmith London Dry Gin (£29.45, 70cl, www.thewhiskyexchange.com)

In a few short years, Sipsmith have established themselves as the pioneer of the gin distilling renaissance in London and this traditional recipe of 10 classic botanicals is the quintessential expression of the London Dry Style (an unsweetened dry gin that must be made from natural ingredients, but can be produced anywhere in the world). Merging sweetness with earthiness, beyond the juniper, floral aromas lead to a citrus core with more spicy juniper on the smooth, creamy finish.

:: Gilpin's Gin (£32.95, 70cl, www.31dover.com)

Voted the world's best gin and an International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) gold medal winner, this punchy gin (47% abv) combines eight botanicals and boasts a bottle number, batch number and a vintage - 2011. With very dry, earthy notes, juniper studded with citrus peel and bitter orange, and a lingering sage and herby finish, a premium tonic water such as Fever-Tree (£3.05, 4 x 20cl, Ocado.com) will soften the blow.

:: Gin Mare Mediterranean Gin (£35.25, 70cl, www.thewhiskyexchange.com)

A very distinctive Spanish gin with savoury flavours of thyme, olives, basil and rosemary, there's a saline element to the recipe that's designed to capture 'the essence of an epicure's Mediterranean'. Bursting with freshness and appealing aromatics of rosemary and basil, sweet citrus notes and a long, flavoursome finish, serve this gorgeous gin in a large wine glass (Spanish style) to appreciate the beguiling botanicals.

:: Jinzu Gin (£33.45, 70cl, www.31dover.com)

Just the measure for summer soirees, this unique gin blends British and Japanese flavours and the oriental inspired bottle looks as exotic as the selection of East meets West botanicals. Juniper, coriander and angelica seeds are at the heart, with fresh flavours of yuzu fruit, cherry blossom and junmai (pure rice) sake for a smooth finish and rounded mouth feel. Highly aromatic, the delicately balanced flavours give hints of lemon peel and a whisper of sake.

BEST BUY

Top tipples for armchair travellers... Asda have introduced a new Wine Atlas Range that spans seven countries and includes seventeen wines, each priced at less than £7.

With pretty labels to capture the imagination, the portfolio includes the South of France with rustic reds such as Wine Atlas Corbieres 2013 (£5.97, Asda), and refreshing styles from the sunny coast, Wine Atlas Cotes de Thau 2014 (£4.97, Asda), with ports of call in Italy and Sicily, and further afield to Hungary, Romania, Chile and beyond.

LIQUID NEWS

Trip of a lifetime... Laithwaite's Wine have teamed up with specialist travel company Winerist to create the ultimate round-the-world wine tour.

A six-week tour that stretches across five continents and takes in 12 countries with stop-off's at famous wineries, stellar cellars and breathtaking locations, it offers wine lovers the chance to follow in the footsteps of Laithwaite's Wine Buying team and enjoy some of the finest wines in the world.

"The Grape Escape is an all-out celebration of wine," says Beth Willard, expert Wine Buyer at Laithwaite's Wine. " Of course it's ambitious, but it will give lovers of wine the chance to undertake an unforgettable voyage through some of the most renowned wine spots in the world, as well as many places that are not traditionally associated with winemaking.

"One day you'll be sipping wine looking over at Table Mountain, and the next you'll be deep in the ancient cellars of Transylvania, it's a truly epic adventure."

The trip will take 42 days to complete and prices begin at £15,000. Visit www.winerist.com