The Go-To Gin Guide to Summer in Melbourne

It took a while but summer is finally here and the warm westerly breezes are infused with sweet juniper, bitter tonic and a hint of lemon. That's right, it's gin season and we couldn't be happier about it. The long, scorching days and gloriously warm, fragrant nights demand to be paired with gin.

To make sure you don't miss a sight, sound or sip this summer, we've partnered with Tanqueray to bring you an itinerary of gin-based activities to get into this summer. Welcome to the season of balmy rooftop bars, lazy picnics and cultural richness.

Simon Shiff.

DISCOVER A NEW SUMMER HANGOUT

Melburnians know that when those late-30s, early-40s scorching days roll in, the best place to be isn't on the beach, roasting in the sun. It's adjacent to the beach, in the shade, sipping something cool. And the new Espy in St Kilda is the perfect oasis for days when all bets are off. Head over for lunch and grab a cool spot inside, among the emerald green booths, or head for the sunny atrium or balcony. The Espy is the kind of place where you can while the day away, flitting from one room to the next to discover the incredibly designed 12 bars, two restaurants and three live music stages it holds. The new venue has also introduced an arts program, so keep an eye out for creative happenings throughout the summer. Grab a house-bottled, barrel-aged negroni made with Tanqueray and settle in for a day of exploring — and taking in the waterside views.

WANDER THE BOTANIC GARDENS WITH POETRY AS YOUR GUIDE

Connect with the season by immersing yourself in nature poetry at the park. Throughout summer, the Royal Botanic Gardens and Red Room Poetry run an amazing initiative called New Shoots: A Garden of Poems. The self-guided tour will take you meandering around the gardens, reading the poetry that was written specifically for the ground you're standing on and the environment you're seeing. Once you've worked up an appetite, head to Richmond a few suburbs over and prepare for a summery feast. The Palm Royale do a mean gin and tonic. Pull up a chair to reflect on the poetry over a G&T, and if the mood strikes, decide to submit your own poetry about the day to the New Shoots program.

SIP A SUMMER SPRITZ WHILE WATCHING SHAKESPEARE

Shakespeare was a man of the people and we suspect he'd be tickled pink to see a crowd of lazy picnickers, drink in one hand and a hunk of brie in the other, reclining in the park and watching his plays under the stars. This summer, two of his most entertaining works are showing in the openair theatre in the Botanic Gardens. For an evening of dramatic twists, book in for Macbeth, or for something a bit more light-hearted (and for any She's the Man fans), there's Twelfth Night. Pack a rug and picnic basket (complete with all the ingredients you need for a summer spritz), and settle in as the sun sets over Billy's classic hits.

GO BACK IN TIME TO SEE HOW TABLEWARE HAS EVOLVED

Tableware may not be something you've ever given a seconds thought, but you'd be amazed by the vast and intricate history of the tableware industry. Head over to the NGV to check out A Modern Life, its free exhibition on the evolution of everything tableside: a history wrapped up in politics, feminism, war and economic machinations.

If the unexpected spiciness of tableware has you parched, jump on the 86 tram from Bourke Street and head to The Everleigh in Fitzroy for a digestif cocktail. It's a truly atmospheric venue that will transport you back to the glamour of yore (tableware and all). We recommend ordering the Debutante for a little sugar hit. It's Tanqueray gin, pomegranate, lime and orange bitters and will go down a treat.

Ben Westoby.

EXPERIENCE THE MESMERISING CLOCK

The last exhibition to hit ACMI before its renovations, Christian Marclay's internationally renowned film exhibition The Clock is showing at ACMI between January 23 and March 10 and it's definitely worth your time. To paraphrase, it's a collection of iconic moving image snippets of timepieces that run for a whopping 24 hours (don't worry though, you don't have to stay the whole time). Head over and enjoy ACMI (and it's powerful AC) one last time before it closes up shop for renovations. And once you're ready to clock out, head north on Swanston for a few blocks and turn right into Bourke Street, direction Madame Brussels. Climb the stairs and grab a table on the rooftop terrace; it's time to discuss what you've just seen at ACMI. Order a Gin Garden cocktail and watch the hot, balmy city pass by below you.

Celebrate the return of summer with a Tanqueray tipple in hand at home or around your city.

Top image: The Espy, Alex Drewnik..