Gin making workshop experience in London

Gin gets personal in this 2.5-hour workshop at Greenwich Distillery. You’ll sample botanicals, learn how distillation shapes a spirit, and build a blend to suit your taste, then fill, name, label and seal a bottle to take home.

I like two things about the format: you get to make choices rather than just watch a demonstration, and the workshop ties gin’s story to Greenwich and London. The welcome gin and tonic, plus another G&T made with your own blend, help turn the lesson into a social tasting.

One point to consider: this is for adults who enjoy gin, not a family activity. And if two of you book the joint ticket, you work as a team on one recipe and share one bottle, rather than each making a separate one.

At a glance

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• Make one blend your own: Try botanicals and flavors, then shape a personal gin recipe.
• Take home a finished bottle: You fill, name, label and seal your creation.
• Learn gin’s London story: The workshop covers gin and distillation from the 1700s to today.
• Taste along the way: A welcome gin and tonic and a G&T with your own blend are included.
• Plan for two and a half hours: The session takes place at Greenwich Distillery, inside the Old Royal Naval College.
• Know the ticket arrangement: A ticket for two adults means one shared lab team, recipe and bottle.

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A gin lesson in Maritime Greenwich

The workshop takes place at Greenwich Distillery Shop & Tasting Rooms, in the Mews Building at the Old Royal Naval College. This puts your class in Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage site, rather than in a generic tasting room detached from the city’s story.

That setting gives the session a useful sense of place. Gin has a long connection with London, and the workshop traces its cultural role from the 1700s to the present. You won’t need to be a gin historian to follow along; the point is to give the flavors and techniques a bit of context as you taste.

The distillery is across from the Old Brewery and near the West Gate entrance. It can take a little attention to find a specific building within a large historic complex, so allow time to locate the Mews Building rather than aiming to arrive at the last minute. The workshop asks you to be on time, and late arrivals or no-shows cannot be refunded.

You can reach the area by several routes. Cutty Sark DLR station is about a three-minute walk away, and Greenwich Pier is about four minutes on foot. Buses 129, 177, 188 and 386 stop at Greenwich Town Centre/Cutty Sark, Stop C, around two minutes from the venue. Thameslink trains stop at Greenwich station, about a ten-minute walk away.

Start with a G&T, then meet the botanicals

The session begins with a welcome gin and tonic. It’s a friendly way to settle into a tasting, but it also gives you a first point of comparison: gin isn’t one fixed flavor. Its character depends on the botanicals and how they work together.

Your guide, an English-speaking member of the distillery team, introduces the basics of gin and distillation. The workshop does not promise that you’ll operate a still or run a full production process. Instead, expect an explanation of methods and a practical look at how ingredients and choices shape the spirit.

Then comes the botanical sampling. You’ll smell and taste a selection of flavors, learning to notice how each one might contribute to a blend. This is the part where a little curiosity goes a long way. You don’t have to arrive with a polished recipe in mind; the exercise helps you discover what you like before you decide how to combine it.

There’s a clear distinction between liking a botanical on its own and wanting it in a finished gin. Sampling gives you a chance to consider those differences before settling on your own profile. If you usually order gin but have never thought much about what makes one taste different from another, this is likely to be the most useful part of the class.

Build a blend that suits your taste

Once you’ve explored the ingredients, you’ll use the available botanicals and recipes to create a bespoke gin blend. The freedom to experiment is the heart of the workshop. You’re not simply copying a standard recipe; you’re making decisions about the flavors and aromas you want in your own bottle.

That hands-on element is also what makes this a good activity to share with a friend or partner. You can compare preferences, talk through combinations and settle on a recipe together. Just keep the ticket terms in mind: a ticket for two adults is for one lab team crafting a single recipe and bottle, not two individual bottles.

The group size can make a difference to the feel of the session. One recent class had about 10 people, a manageable number for a guided activity where you want time to consider ingredients and ask questions. Group size may vary, so don’t treat that number as a guarantee, but the format is designed around tasting and conversation rather than a large lecture.

You’ll also get a gin and tonic made with your bespoke gin. That lets you try your creation in a familiar drink, not just as an idea on a recipe sheet. It’s a satisfying way to see how the blend comes together, though your own taste is the main measure of success. The goal isn’t to produce a gin that pleases everyone. It’s to make one you’ll be happy to take home.

Finish with a bottle, not just a lesson

At the end, you fill, name, label and seal a bottle of your gin. That last step gives the workshop a useful souvenir: you leave with something made during the class, rather than just a tasting note or a few photographs.

For a pair sharing a ticket, the bottle is a joint creation. The workshop information describes the take-home bottle as a full bottle, and a recent two-person booking produced one 400 ml bottle for the team. If bottle size matters to you, confirm the current details when booking, especially if you’re comparing the shared ticket with individual places.

The experience includes the welcome G&T, guided botanical sampling, a G&T with your own gin and the bottle itself. It also offers a 10 percent discount on bottle purchases and cocktails. That can be handy if you want to bring home another spirit or stay for a drink, but those extra purchases are optional and are not part of the ticket.

Is the price worth it?

The listed starting price is not consistent across the supplied package details: one price is shown from $128.65 for the 2.5-hour lesson, while the headline price is from $141.55. Treat either figure as a starting point, not a guaranteed final cost. Check your chosen date and booking total before paying.

The value depends on what you want from an activity. If you count only the bottle, this is likely to feel expensive compared with simply buying gin from a shop. But the ticket also pays for a guided lesson, tasting, the botanical exercise, two G&Ts and the time to make and finish your own blend. For someone who likes gin and wants more than a standard tasting, that combination makes the price easier to justify.

The shared ticket may suit two people who enjoy making decisions together and are content to take home one bottle. If each of you wants a separate gin, check whether booking individual places is available and compare the total cost. Don’t assume the ticket for two includes two bottles.

Who should book this workshop?

I’d put this on the shortlist for gin fans, couples and friends looking for a hands-on activity in Greenwich. It also makes sense if you’re curious about the craft behind the drink and would enjoy talking through flavor choices with a small group.

It’s less suitable if you don’t drink alcohol, want an activity for children, or expect a detailed technical course in commercial distilling. The workshop offers a guided introduction and practical blending, but its appeal is the mix of history, tasting and personal recipe-making.

The location can round out a Greenwich day, particularly if you’re already visiting the Old Royal Naval College or arriving by river. The venue is near Cutty Sark DLR station and Greenwich Pier, so it’s straightforward to fit into a day in the area. Just plan your route and arrive early enough to find the Mews Building.

Participants must be at least 18, and you should bring valid ID. Anyone who appears intoxicated may be refused service without a refund, so arrive ready to taste responsibly. Children under 18 may visit the distillery shop with an adult, but they cannot join the workshop. Dogs are allowed in the shop with their owner, but not in the experience space, except assistance dogs.

Should you book it?

Book this if you like gin and want to spend a couple of hours learning, tasting and making a bottle with your own name on it. The workshop’s strongest appeal is that it combines a clear, hands-on activity with a Greenwich setting and a story about gin’s place in London.

Skip it if you’re mainly after a cheap bottle, don’t drink, or need a child-friendly outing. For two adults, decide in advance whether sharing one recipe and bottle sounds like part of the fun. If it does, this is a distinctive way to spend time in Maritime Greenwich and take home a souvenir you helped make.

FAQ

How long is the gin-making workshop?

The gin-making lesson lasts 2.5 hours.

Where does the workshop take place?

It takes place at Greenwich Distillery Shop & Tasting Rooms, in the Mews Building at the Old Royal Naval College. The building is across from the Old Brewery and near the West Gate entrance.

How can I get to Greenwich Distillery?

Cutty Sark DLR station is about a three-minute walk away, Greenwich Pier is about four minutes away, and Greenwich train station is about a ten-minute walk. Buses 129, 177, 188 and 386 stop at Greenwich Town Centre/Cutty Sark, Stop C, around two minutes from the venue.

What is included in the workshop?

The session includes English-speaking staff, a welcome gin and tonic, a short history of gin and distillation methods, guided botanical and flavor sampling, a G&T made with your bespoke gin, and a bottle of your gin. A 10 percent discount is offered on bottle purchases and cocktails.

Can two adults make gin together?

Yes. A ticket for two is for two adults working together as one lab team to make a single recipe and bottle.

Do I take home the gin I make?

Yes. You fill, name, label and seal a bottle of your bespoke gin to take home. A two-person team makes one shared bottle.

What is the minimum age to take part?

Participants must be 18 or older. Bring valid ID as proof of age.

Are children or dogs allowed?

Children aged 0 to 17 may visit the distillery shop with an adult but cannot enter the workshop experience. Dogs may visit the shop with their owner but are not allowed in the experience space, except assistance dogs.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

You can get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using the destination’s local time. The voucher is valid only on the specified date, and late arrivals or no-shows cannot be refunded.