World Gin Day 2025 celebrates the global appeal of Filipino-made gin
On June 10 at the Manila Diamond Hotel, Ginebra San Miguel Inc. (GSMI) turned its World Gin Day celebration into a showcase of national pride, presenting gin as a symbol of heritage, innovation, and growing international recognition.
From aviation-themed exhibits to globally inspired cocktails, the event traced a journey that began in the Philippines and extended across continents.
“Gin is in” was the catchphrase of the night, while the event’s theme was “Your World of Gin Experience.” It was brought to life through a sensory journey that combined aviation-inspired checkpoints, botanical exhibits, and cocktails named after global cities.
The journey began with “World of Adventure – Gin is Cool,” where guests explored the Cool Botanica exhibit led by social media personality Boss Toyo. Surrounded by fresh botanicals, he shared what makes gin appealing while mobile Gin Carts served Singapore Sling cocktails.
Next came “World of Excellence – Gin is Clear,” set inside the Clear Archives. Attorney Oliver Moeller spoke about the distillation process and purity of gin, while guests viewed vintage stills and listened to testimonials from mixologists and international distributors.
The exhibit emphasized Ginebra’s global recognition, including its premium brands 1834 and Archangel.
The final stop, “World of Celebration – Gin is Versatile,” featured a monochrome cocktail lounge and actress Mikee Quintos, who shared her favorite drinks while discussing gin’s adaptability. Julie Anne San Jose echoed this message: “Gin is cool, gin is clear, gin is versatile.”
Performances by GSM Blue endorser Gabbi Garcia punctuated the “stops chapter” followed by a gin trivia game.
Trained mixologists from the GSM Bar Academy, certified by TESDA, served cocktails representing countries like Italy, France, Singapore, the UK, and the Philippines. It was a celebration, but also a statement—Filipino bartenders can stand alongside the world’s best.
Global World Gin Day ambassador Emma Stokes addressed the crowd, noting that more than 36 countries observe the celebration on the second Saturday of June.
“From Brussels to Bangkok, gin lovers are discovering what Filipinos have always known—Ginebra is a world-class spirit,” she said.
The night ended with a group toast led by GSMI General Manager Cynthia M. Baroy and a performance by Nik Makino.
