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Sure, wine might be the go-to beverage of choice on the Parisian scene, but did you know you can also make your own gin just steps from the Louvre?
At La Distillerie de l’Arbre Sec, you get to dive into the whole process, from picking your botanicals to distilling and customizing your very own bottle.
Whether you’re a gin connoisseur or just looking for something totally different to do in Paris, this experience is a seriously fun and memorable find.
Disclosure: I was invited to attend a gin-making workshop in English at La Distillerie de l’Arbre Sec. As always, all opinions are my own.
An Innovative Gin Distillery in Central Paris
Centrally located in Paris, on a quiet street just a few steps from the Louvre Museum, a microdistillery is tucked away in a little courtyard behind brilliant blue doors. Welcome to La Distillerie de l’Arbre Sec, where industrial and earthy vibes meld together in a gorgeous studio space.
Prior to 2013, distilleries were banned from the city due to fire safety concerns. La Distillerie de l’Arbre Sec is only the 5th distillery to open in Paris since the ban was lifted. Getting this venture up and running was no small feat for the three co-founders.
From the start of this project, securing a venue and designing a space that could be open to the public was a driving factor. Curious visitors are invited to discover and experience gin distillation up close behind the scenes.
The distillery additionally welcomes creative collaborations, and they’ve already partnered with other local businesses and entrepreneurs. For example, they teamed up with a pastry chef and collected vanilla beans that he had used in baking. These vanilla beans were then given a second life when incorporated into the creation of a limited-edition gin called L’Étoile.
All ingredients used in the production of their gin, from the water to the botanicals, are sourced in France. Whether it’s a limited edition bottle or their permanent gin—Charlotte’s Ink—you’re getting a gin that is 100% French!
La Distillerie de l’Arbre Sec offers tours and tastings as well as a workshop to make your own gin! Experiences can be booked in French or in English.
The Gin Distillation Workshop Experience
Part One: The Rules of Gin
With a crisp welcome drink in hand (non-alcoholic w/herbal notes), we started the experience in the still room. Here our small group of about 10 gathered around to look at the beautiful copper pot still, the star of the show.
The vibe was casual as we listened to clear explanations of the gin-making process. Questions were welcome, and our guide—one of the co-founders—quizzed us on our prior knowledge as well!
Back in the workshop room, we took our seats and learned about the ingredients typically used in the production of gin. I loved that this experience was hands-on throughout. We got to touch, smell, and taste the 4 base ingredients that La Distillerie de l’Arbre Sec uses: juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, and orris root.
Interestingly, juniper is the only botanical that is required in order for the spirit to be considered gin. There are apparently very few rules to gin, which I found surprising!
The dried juniper berry tasted less pine-y than I was expecting and had a citrus profile. I don’t think I’ll be snacking on them, but it was pleasant enough! Speaking of snacks, we did get a lovely snack plate and a couple of cocktails later on to sustain us for the work ahead.
Part Two: Making Your Own Gin
On to the practical lab portion of the workshop…
When I confirmed my reservation for this workshop, I was a bit nervous that I would be the one person to create a terrible gin. It’s a lot of pressure being responsible for the flavoring of a whole bottle, no?
The available botanicals were presented to us on a recipe card with 4 taste profiles identified: floral, fruity, herbal, and spicy. We were given some tips and guidelines about how to choose and balance out the flavor profile. The task at hand felt much more manageable within this framework.
And I have to admit—I felt a bit like a scientist (in the best way!) gathering ingredients in my beaker and having my own little distillation workstation. Most participants came with a partner, so they shared their mini alembic still.
After the distillation was complete, we bottled up our production with water to dilute the alcohol content. Then it was time to work on making a label!
It’s recommended that you wait about 3 weeks before tasting your gin. This gives the alcohol a chance to fully combine with the water.
Good news—I can confidently confirm that my gin was far from terrible. If you like your creation, you can order another bottle from the distillery by providing your recipe!
Why Visit a Gin Distillery in Paris
Overall, I thought this gin-making workshop was a very enjoyable and fun experience. I love that it’s really a full experience, from learning about the process to sampling the distillery’s products to making your own gin to customizing the bottle’s label.
Even though I did it solo, given the small size of the group, it was easy to chat with others who were there with partners and good friends. One couple was there celebrating a birthday, while two friends were traveling together and just looking for something different to do after having visited Paris a few times. People had different levels of appreciation for and knowledge of gin and spirits.
A gin-making workshop could be an excellent alternative to the typical wine tasting that most people plan for on a trip to France. It’s also a perfect activity if you’re looking for a little downtime during a busy itinerary exploring Paris. You’ll feel very well taken care of, and you’ll come away with a unique souvenir from Paris. If you don’t have time for the 2.5-hour workshop, they also offer a distillery tour and gin-tasting experience that lasts one hour.
A visit to La Distillerie de l’Abre Sec is for locals and tourists alike looking for a memorable experience in Paris.
L’abus d’alcool est dangereux pour la santé, à consommer avec modération.
Excessive drinking is dangerous for your health; drink in moderation.
