Distill a bottle of Gin on mini copper stills

Distilling your own gin is the clever part here: you do not simply watch a demonstration, you choose botanicals, run a mini copper still, and leave with a 500ml bottle made to suit your taste. At Sip Antics, the class begins with a gin and tonic, moves through three tastings, and gives you hands-on help from guides such as Neil and Gary.

I like the very small group, limited to two people, because you get real help rather than standing at the back of a crowded class. I also like the full souvenir treatment: you taste the finished gin, bottle it, name it, label it, and seal it with wax. The main consideration is the price, $125.01 per person, which makes most sense if you value the lesson, drinks, and personal bottle as one package.

Key points at a glance

• Three gin samples first: You taste different botanical mixes before deciding what you like.
• Your own recipe: Choose ingredients with guidance rather than following one fixed formula.
• Individual mini stills: Each person distills a 500ml bottle on a small copper still.
• Drinks throughout: A gin and tonic welcomes you, and a cocktail fills the distilling wait.
• Smallest possible class: The maximum is two people, so advice is personal.
• A proper keepsake: You taste, bottle, label, name, and wax seal your gin before taking it home.

A two-person gin class in central Edinburgh

The meeting point is The Cumberland Bar at 1 to 3 Cumberland Street, with a 12:00 p.m. start. From there, the activity takes place in Sip Antics’ bespoke micro distillery room and returns to the same meeting point at the end.

That setup matters. You are not joining a large sightseeing group or watching a quick bar demonstration between other bookings. The maximum group size is two people, making this a good pick for a couple, close friends, or anyone who wants room to ask questions.

The class lasts about three hours. Plan your day around that length, since the session is paced around tasting, recipe planning, distilling, and finishing the bottle. It is best treated as a main afternoon activity, not something to squeeze in before a tightly timed attraction.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and a mobile ticket is accepted. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Starting with a gin and tonic

You begin with a gin and tonic while the host explains how the class will work. That first drink gives you time to settle in, but it also sets the tone: this is a social lesson, not a technical lecture delivered over a silent workbench.

The opening explanation helps put the later choices in context. Gin can taste sharply citrusy, herbal, spicy, floral, or strongly juniper-led, and the class gives you a way to compare those directions before making your own recipe.

Neil receives especially warm praise for being funny, musical, kind, and easy to follow. That combination matters in a tasting class. You want clear explanations, but you also want someone who can keep the room relaxed when you are trying unfamiliar flavors.

Gary is also named in the feedback as a helpful host who guided a personalized recipe. Since the supplied details identify both Neil and Gary, check the current guide assignment if meeting a particular host is important to you.

Three tastings before you choose botanicals

The next step is a tasting of three different gin samples and botanical mixes. This is more useful than it may sound. Many people arrive knowing they like gin, but not knowing why one bottle works better for them than another.

The samples help you notice your own preferences before you start blending. You might find that you prefer citrus notes, a more classic juniper profile, or something softer and more aromatic. The point is not to memorize technical terms. It is to learn which flavors you want to carry into your bottle.

This part also gives the guide a practical role. You are not left to choose from an unexplained pile of ingredients. The class gives you room for personal interpretation, while the host helps you avoid a combination that may overpower everything else.

I like that balance. A completely fixed recipe would make the souvenir feel less personal. A completely open-ended recipe could leave you guessing. Here, you make the key choices, but you have a guide nearby to help shape them.

Remember that tasting several gins is part of the session, along with the welcome drink and later cocktail. If you do not drink alcohol, this is probably not the right activity. The supplied details do not describe a nonalcoholic alternative.

Building a recipe that actually feels like yours

Once you have sampled the options, you design your own gin recipe from the available botanicals. This is the heart of the class because the final bottle reflects your choices rather than a standard house blend.

The best way to approach this is to think about balance. You do not need to chase every flavor on the table. A few ingredients chosen with care will give you a more useful bottle than adding everything that sounds interesting.

The guide helps you connect the tasting stage to the recipe stage. If a sample appealed to you because of its citrus character, you can use that as a starting point. If you preferred a more traditional style, you can steer in that direction instead.

This personal guidance is one reason the two-person limit adds value. You can ask why one botanical might work with another, and you can discuss the flavor you want rather than simply copying a demonstration. The experience is educational, but it remains practical and light.

You should also keep expectations realistic. You are making a unique bottle in a short class, not setting up a professional distillery or mastering every part of gin production. The reward is a well-explained introduction and a drink you helped shape from start to finish.

Distilling on your own mini copper still

After choosing your botanicals, you use an individual mini copper still to produce a 500ml, or 50cl, bottle of gin. This is the feature that separates the activity from a standard tasting.

The still gives you a physical process to follow. You are not only mixing flavor ideas into a glass. You are taking selected ingredients through the distilling stage, with the host close by to provide hands-on guidance.

Copper stills also make the process feel tangible and memorable. The equipment is small enough for an individual class setup, but distinctive enough to make the activity feel like real gin making rather than a craft cocktail lesson.

The class does not suggest that you operate a large production still or make enough gin to fill a suitcase. The output is one 500ml bottle, which is a sensible size for a personal keepsake and easier to carry home than a full commercial case.

The wait while your gin distills is filled with another cocktail. That pacing is well judged. You are not left watching equipment in silence, and the class gives you another chance to enjoy a drink while the practical work continues.

Tasting, naming, and sealing your bottle

When the distilling is complete, you taste the new gin before bottling it. This is an important moment because you can try the result while the choices you made are still fresh in your mind.

You then bottle, label, name, and wax seal the finished product. The wax seal is a small touch, but it turns a plain bottle into a proper memento. You can take it home as a reminder of Edinburgh, share it with family, or save it for a later drink.

The labeling also gives the class a satisfying finish. You have moved from tasting other gins to making a recipe, and then from making the recipe to presenting it as your own bottle. That full sequence is why the experience feels more complete than a short distillery tour.

The bottle is the main physical souvenir, but the lesson has value too. You leave with a clearer sense of what you like in gin and what to look for when choosing a bottle in the future.

Is $125.01 a fair price?

At $125.01 per person, this is not a budget drink stop. You are paying for about three hours, several drinks, instruction, a private-feeling two-person format, and a 500ml bottle of your own gin.

The value depends on what you compare it with. If you only want to sample gin, the price will feel high because a tasting alone is usually a shorter, simpler activity. If you want a hands-on class, drinks, and a take-home product, the price is easier to justify.

The small group is a major part of the value. With no more than two people, your recipe gets attention, and you are not waiting for a large group to catch up. That is particularly useful if you are new to gin or want advice on creating a balanced flavor.

The bottle also gives you something concrete for the money. It is not a disposable tasting flight. You leave with 500ml of your own creation, complete with a name, label, and wax seal.

I would consider it good value for gin fans, couples celebrating a special trip, and people who enjoy making something rather than only looking at it. It is less convincing for anyone who does not drink gin, dislikes guided tastings, or mainly wants the cheapest possible introduction to Edinburgh’s drinks scene.

Who will enjoy this most?

This is a strong match for anyone who already enjoys gin and wants to understand the drink in a more hands-on way. You do not need to be an expert. In fact, the class works well if you know what you like to drink but cannot yet describe the flavors.

It also suits visitors who want a souvenir with a personal story. A bottle bought from a shop is easy to pack, but a bottle you designed, distilled, named, and sealed has a much stronger connection to your time in Edinburgh.

Couples are a natural fit because the maximum group size is two. Friends who want a private activity may also like the format, though the supplied details do not promise exclusive booking beyond the two-person maximum.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling with a larger party. The class is built around very small numbers, so it is not designed as a big group outing. You should also plan carefully around the noon start and three-hour duration.

Practical planning for your Edinburgh day

Meet at The Cumberland Bar at 12:00 p.m. The activity ends back at the meeting point, which makes the start and finish simple to organize.

Because the session is often booked about 48 days ahead, reserve early if your dates are fixed. That is especially sensible for a short Edinburgh visit, when missing one afternoon can be hard to repair.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the activity are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Edinburgh time.

Bring your mobile ticket and allow the full three hours. The activity is in English, and service animals are allowed. Since the class includes several alcoholic drinks and a bottle to take away, think about how it fits with the rest of your day.

Should you book the Sip Antics gin class?

Book it if you want more than a tasting. The best parts are the tiny class size, the chance to make decisions with a guide, and the complete finish with a named and wax-sealed 500ml bottle.

Neil’s warm, entertaining style is a big part of the appeal, and Gary is also praised for helping participants shape a gin suited to their tastes. The teaching is not presented as stiff or overly technical. You get useful guidance, plenty of flavor comparison, and a chance to laugh while you work.

Skip it if you do not drink alcohol, need a low-cost activity, or are traveling with a larger group. For everyone else, especially gin fans who like a personal souvenir, the $125.01 price buys a focused afternoon with a clear result: a bottle that you made yourself.

FAQ

Where does the gin-making experience start?

It starts at The Cumberland Bar, 1 to 3 Cumberland Street, Edinburgh EH3 6RT, UK.

What time does the activity begin?

The start time is 12:00 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the class?

The maximum group size is two people.

How much gin do I take home?

You produce and take home one 500ml, or 50cl, bottle of gin.

Are drinks included during the class?

Yes. You receive a gin and tonic on arrival, taste three gin samples, and enjoy a cocktail while your gin is distilling.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the activity are not accepted for a refund.