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11 Fantastic Canadian Craft Gins That Will Change Your G&T Forever

A selection of the best Canadian gins range from traditional—juniper forward—to more modern.
11 Fantastic Canadian Craft Gins That Will Change Your G&T Forever

Produced by Sun Ngo, Photo by Christie Vuong, Food styling by Ashley Denton, Prop styling by Christine Hanlon.

Canadian gin is definitely in.

A selection of the best Canadian gins range from traditional—juniper forward—to more modern—ripe, with a variety of other expressive botanicals. And that doesn't even count the rose-infused gin that will seriously elevate your cocktail game.

We submitted both up-and-coming and established brands to a taste-test. Here are our results over three popular applications: sipping them straight, with soda or with tonic.

Canadian Gin Taste-Test

Spring 34, Levenswater Gin, ON

A potato-based spirit boasting notes of chamomile, lavender, coriander and rosemary, this gin’s flavour profile is almost as stylish as the bottle. Our thoughts? The florals shone through nicely when paired with tonic, offering up a softer, sweeter take on the classic G&T.

11 Fantastic Canadian Craft Gins That Will Change Your G&T Forever

Gin Rummy, Eau Claire Distillery, AB

A seasonal offering from award-winning Alberta-based Eau Claire Distillery, this holiday sipper is smooth, rummy (as advertised) and packed with aromatic holiday spices that had us coming back for more. Our thoughts? Get one while you still can!

11 Fantastic Canadian Craft Gins That Will Change Your G&T Forever

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BlackFox, Oaked Gin, Saskatoon, SK

Barrel aging gives this award-winning gin its brooding colour (and adds warm, spiced notes to your Negroni). Our thoughts—aside from who gets to keep the bottle? Surprisingly smooth, it’s best on its own without any add-ons. We’re already planning to order one for the holidays.

11 Fantastic Canadian Craft Gins That Will Change Your G&T Forever

Dillon’s Rose Gin, Niagara, ON

Infused with rosehip and rose petals, this gin finishes with a delicate sweetness. It’s a great flavour upgrade for cocktails, but just as lovely kept simple, on ice with soda. According to our tasting panel, the delicate, sweet and floral flavours make it a must-have. (It might even surprise those who usually don’t enjoy gin.)

11 Fantastic Canadian Craft Gins That Will Change Your G&T Forever

Georgian Bay Gin, Collingwood, ON

Georgian Bay may not call itself a London Dry, but it still conforms to the classic flavour profile of citrus, earthy spices and juniper—an essential ingredient that gives it that bracing “pine” flavour. It's a great choice for a classic gin and tonic. Plus, it's packaged in Canada's first-ever paper spirits bottle, made of lightweight, 100% recycled paperboard—the brand says it will result in each bottle having a carbon footprint that's up to six times lower than glass bottles. 

A paper bottle of Georgian Bay Gin on a dock next to limes; best Canadian gins

Elora Citrus Pink Gin, Elora, ON

Gin—but make it pink! Our drinks writer Christine Sismondo is a fan of this citrussy pink gin, which you can use to make her A+ Big-Batch Pink Gin Martini recipe. 

Canopée Gin Forestier, Louiseville, QC

Classic pine and citrus flavours make this Canadian spirit a great purchase for the classic gin connoisseur. Our thoughts? The tonic overwelmed the gin, so we’ll stick to ice or a splash of soda.

11 Fantastic Canadian Craft Gins That Will Change Your G&T Forever

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Cirka, Gin Sauvage, Montreal, QC

Quebec’s northern boreal forest inspired the 30-plus botanicals used to craft this gin. Our thoughts? It’s classic, smooth and expressive—our pick for the perfect G&T.

11 Fantastic Canadian Craft Gins That Will Change Your G&T Forever

Ungava Gin, Frelighsburg, QC

This electric-yellow gin is known for more than its eye-catching colour. With soft citrus notes and botanicals ranging from cloudberry to rosehip, labrador tea and more, it tastes as impressive as it looks. Our thoughts? It’s an ideal display bottle to put out on a cocktail cart or shelf when entertaining.

11 Fantastic Canadian Craft Gins That Will Change Your G&T Forever

Ironworks Gin, Lunenburg, NS

Featuring hand-picked rosehips, balsam fir bud, Nova Scotia juniper berries and a smooth finish, it’s perfect for an evening martini. Our thoughts? Delicious! It has many layers of flavour on its own, and with a splash of soda it opens up even more. Also makes an excellent G&T—with a twist of lemon, for good measure.

11 Fantastic Canadian Craft Gins That Will Change Your G&T Forever

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Cucumber Gin, Long Table Distillery, BC

“Ideal in a dry martini served in a chilled lemon-rimmed glass and garnished with cucumber”, according to Long Table Distillery, this balanced, cucumber-forward gin from B.C. is at the top of our to-taste list.

11 Fantastic Canadian Craft Gins That Will Change Your G&T Forever

Originally published 2017. Updated 2023. With files from Christine Sismondo

Watch: Three easy ways to garnish a cocktail

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