A bottle of gin is one of the safest gifts under the tree: it pleases people who sip it neat, people who love a gin and tonic and people who enjoy mixing cocktails. But it's also an easy gift to get wrong, because two gins can be worlds apart. The trick is to think about who will receive it and how they'll drink it before thinking about the brand.
This guide covers how to choose the right gin, how to turn a bottle into a complete gift, and how much to spend.
How to choose a gin as a gift
Four questions are enough to narrow it down:
- What do they like? Dry and bold, fresh and citrusy, or soft and floral? This is the question that matters most.
- How will they drink it? Usually in a gin and tonic, in cocktails or neat. A gin made for sipping isn't necessarily the best in a G&T, and vice versa.
- How much does the bottle matter? For a gift, it does: the label, the shape and the producer's story are part of the experience.
- Do they already have the "usual" gins? Someone who knows the category will appreciate a craft gin with a recognisable ingredient or place more than one they can find in any supermarket.
The right gin for the person receiving it
- For the classic gin and tonic lover: a London Dry, with juniper up front. It's the most versatile style; if you want to know what it means, see what London Dry gin is.
- For lovers of fresh, Mediterranean flavours: a citrus gin, with lemon, orange or bergamot peel to the fore. Perfect in a gin and tonic and in long drinks.
- For the home bartender: a gin with a clear profile that holds its own in a Negroni or a Dry Martini, where the gin takes centre stage.
- For someone who sips gin neat: a complex craft gin, to discover sip by sip. Give them the way to do it, too: our guide to how to taste gin.
- For the curious: a gin with an unusual ingredient or a specific place of origin. It's the gift that starts a conversation.
The DIY gin and tonic gift set
Ready-made gin and tonic kits are convenient, but they often pair a good gin with ordinary tonics and accessories. Putting the set together yourself costs little more and lets you choose every piece. Here's what to include:
- The bottle of gin, chosen to suit the person receiving it.
- Four small bottles of tonic: they stay fizzy far better than a large bottle. For a citrus or floral gin, choose a low-quinine tonic.
- The right glass: a balloon for aromatic gins, a tall highball for a crisper serve. The differences are explained in our guide to gin and tonic glasses.
- Botanicals for the garnish: a few juniper berries, dried citrus peel, a sprig of rosemary in a little bag.
- A card with the recipe: the right ratio and the three moves that make the difference, taken from our perfect gin and tonic guide.
Put it all in a box and it's a gift they can use the same evening.
Bottle and glass: the simplest gift
If you want something elegant without building a kit, the most effective pairing is a bottle and a tasting glass. The right glass concentrates the aromas and invites them to try the gin neat as well, which is the best way to really get to know it.
How much to spend on a gin gift
The price of a 70 cl bottle varies widely, and it doesn't always reflect quality. As a rough guide:
- Up to €30: the big brands, great for an everyday gin and tonic but rarely surprising as a gift.
- €30 to €60: where most craft and premium gins sit. It's the range in which a gift really stands out.
- Over €60: limited editions and collector's bottles, for people who are already enthusiasts.
On why a gin costs what it costs, we've written about what makes a gin premium.
Giving GIN NIRO
GIN NIRO is an artisanal Sicilian gin built on Sicilian Zibibbo from an island of volcanic origin: a citrus, Mediterranean profile with a note of grape that makes it recognisable from the first sip. In 2026 it won a Silver Medal at the World Gin Awards in the Flavoured Gin category.
- The bottle: GIN NIRO 70 cl, €41.90, with free shipping within Italy.
- The set: pair it with the GIN NIRO tasting glass (€14.90).
- Several gifts at once: 10% off when you buy 2 bottles, 20% off when you buy 3.
- A personal message: write it in the order notes and we'll add it on a card.
For delivery in Italy before Christmas, order by 15 December. For other countries delivery takes longer, so order earlier.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best gin to give as a gift?
There's no single best gin: the best one is the one that matches the taste of the person receiving it. A London Dry for a classic gin and tonic lover, a citrus gin for someone who prefers fresh flavours, a craft gin with a distinctive ingredient for someone who already knows the category.
What do you buy a gin lover?
Besides the bottle, everything they need to enjoy it properly: the right glass, good tonics in small bottles, botanicals for the garnish. A made-to-measure set is often more appreciated than a ready-made kit.
How much should you spend on a gin gift?
Most craft and premium gins sit between €30 and €60 for a 70 cl bottle. It's the range in which a gift stands out without turning into a collector's purchase.
How do you wrap a gin gift?
A box with the bottle, a glass, a few small bottles of tonic and a card with the gin and tonic recipe turns gin into a complete gift, ready to use.
When should you order gin for Christmas?
It depends on the shop and the courier. For GIN NIRO, for delivery in Italy, order by 15 December; for other countries, order earlier.
