Gin is found all over the world, but many people, even those who love gin, don’t understand what makes gin such an exceptional, versatile, and internationally renowned spirit.
What is Gin?
Most of us recognize gin by its distinct flavor and aroma, but don’t know what gives the spirit that distinct flavor and aroma. The answer: juniper, a small, berry-like botanical. In fact, a beverage can’t be called gin unless it has juniper in it.
While there can and often are other ingredients in gin, many of which we describe below, and while juniper’s sometimes barely detectable, the berry is the cornerstone of true gin.
How Is Gin Made?
There are many ways to make gin, but most begin with a base alcohol that’s distilled. This liquid is then blended with juniper, and other botanicals.
These natural ingredients steep, or macerate, in the alcohol, releasing their flavors before being distilled again, resulting in a fusion that ends with a smooth yet intricate spirit.
We’ll explore how gin is made in more detail later. First, we’d like to share a few notes on what’s in gin.
The question “How do you make gin?” is a bit complicated, because there is no one way to make gin.
Just as there are many ingredients that go into gin, there are many ways to distill spirit, and each method creates its own flavor profile.
That said, novices and aficionados both would do well to know the difference between gin distillation methods so they can learn what they like and what they’d rather avoid.
Steeping:
The original method for making gin, steeping remains a common process, particularly for distillers who create unique brands and products.
To do so, they start by heating ethanol in a pot still: a drum-like container that collects the alcohol and condenses it over time, creating a strong, robust base into which botanicals are infused.
The mixture is next steeped for another day or two, becoming more and more concentrated before water is added to strike the right balance.
A few examples of steeped gin brands include Fords, Tower Hill, Pinkster, Cold River, and Brockmans. In all, the flavor is more rotund and succulent than many other types of gin.
Vapor Infused Gins:
Vapor infused gins begin much like steeped gins: ethanol is placed in a still. But rather than adding the botanicals directly to the ethanol, they’re placed in a basket above the alcohol. As the liquid warms, it releases vapors, which in turn releases the botanical blends’ essential oils. These oils then infuse the vapor, and, thus, the gin, with their core flavors.
This process is a reliable method for lighter gins with more floral flavors, such as Bombay Sapphire, which was one of the first brands to adopt this innovative process. Other brands include Etsu and Amass Los Angeles Dry Gin.
Vacuum Distillation:
Vacuum distillation is one of the newer ways to make gin and proves that this centuries-old spirit is still evolving.
While traditionally gin’s distilled at around a boiling 78°C/172.4°F, vacuum distillation uses a relatively cool 40°C/104°F. This leaves more of the botanical essence intact, rather than fully fusing them together, providing a more blatantly multilayered beverage – and proving that you can teach an old spirit new tricks. If you’d like to try a vacuum distilled gin, we suggest Oxley.
Aging Gin:
Though not as common as it once was, aging gin creates a deeper, smokier flavor akin to Scotch. That’s because aged gin is stored for months in oak barrels previously used for Scotch or Vermouth, which in turn imbue the gin with these flavors, leading to a fuller, more acerbic gin.
While there are only a few widely available aged gin brands – Beefeater Burrough’s Reserve and Bluecoat Barrel Finished Gins, for example – these are ideal for those who appreciate a vivid and kaleidoscopic beverage that makes an impression.
What are the Types of Gin?
As you may have gathered, there’s no one type of gin. There are many types of gin – a fact that makes it even harder to answer questions like “How is gin made?”, “What is in gin?”, and of course, “What is the best gin?”
That latter inquiry is up to you to discover on your own, hopefully with a bit of guidance from what we’ve learned. To start you off, here we explain the difference between the major types of gin, the differences in flavor, process, and ingredients.
It’s a reliable reference for planning events, dinners, or other occasions, and we highly recommend bookmarking or copying and pasting for easy access.
London Dry Gin
The most common type of gin, London Dry Gin derives its name, unsurprisingly, from its origins in old London. But that doesn’t mean that London Dry Gin is from London. Not anymore, at least. Nor does London Dry Gin denote flavor.
In short, the designation London Dry Gin is about how the gin is made: it has very little sugar – less than .1 gram per liter – which results in a dry taste. It also has no color and must, by law, be predominantly juniper-flavored. That means no overpowering botanicals or other ingredients to mask or suppress the classic gin flavor. It’s for this reason that devoted gin fans often prefer London Dry Gins. Yet there are some distinctions worth noting.
First, London Dry Gin does not include much, if any, sugar. Nor are there any artificial flavors or colors. Using a neutral alcohol and more subtle botanicals, London Dry Gin lets the pungent juniper take the lead and provide the dry bite for which gin is known. Common brands include Tanqueray and Gordon’s.
Plymouth gin
Another English gin, Plymouth gin hails specifically from the town of Plymouth – much like American bourbon must be made in the U.S., specifically Kentucky.
As for the characteristics of Plymouth gin itself – it’s a bit sweeter than the London Dry and does boast a strong juniper presence, the berry here is softer. Rather than leading the flavor, the juniper wafts amid an earthy, organic undertone that makes Plymouth gin a popular base for gin and tonics.
Genever
If modern gin had a grandfather, it would be genever. This was the first type of gin made in England, after the English learned about gin from the Dutch. [See the earlier history of gin.]
Thus, as a prototype of sorts, genever employs bare bones botanicals such as fennel and literally mashes them with austere malted rye, barley, or corn, or sometimes a combination of the three.
Whichever alcohol the distiller prefers, genever’s fermentation creates a heavier, more malty gin than London Dry. But genever’s also smokier and more luscious than London Dry, making this rough but charming spirit an excellent option for people who also enjoy scotch.
Old Tom Gin
Old Tom Gin falls somewhere between London Dry and Genever. It’s sweeter than London Dry, thanks to the addition of sugar, but drier than geneve, resulting in an affable yet sturdy gin.
Hugely popular among the wealthy in 18th-century England, Old Tom Gin fell out of fashion in the 19th and 20th centuries but has found new fans among today’s craft gin enthusiasts.
Sloe Gin
Sloe Gin’s unmistakable red hue stands out from other see-through gins, and so does its distinctly floral flavor. Both, of course, are from sloe gin’s namesake sloe, a small, plum-like fruit also known as blackthorn and which is typically added to an already made gin.
First debuting in England in the 17th century, sloe gin enjoyed centuries of popularity among the upper classes before falling out of favor. It’s gained new adherents in recent years, though. In fact, sloe gin is so desirable that a cohort of U.S.-based distillers have appeared, using beach plums or local aronia to create their own sloe gins.
Milder than many types of gin, Sloe gin traditionally has 15-30% ABV, though the E.U. says something must be at least 25% ABV to be deemed “sloe.”
Barrel-Aged Gin
Barrel-aged gin is just as the name suggests: gin that’s steeped in a wooden barrel – just like genever was made in the olden days.
This process provides barrel-aged gin with the profound smoky quality most often associated with scotches, but with a smoother finish than the genever option – and all with that juniper-rich flavor that’s a beacon for gin lovers.
We thoroughly endorse using barrel-aged gin to add more depth to your favorite gin cocktail.
Navy Strength Gin
The name “Navy Strength Gin” is a bit misleading, and the story a bit labyrinthine.
Basically, “navy strength” is any botanical-forward gin of at least 57% ABV, and the term itself has a dubious connection to the circa 18th century British Royal Navy.
You see, sailors back then avoided watered down gin by testing it: they would mix gin with gun powder and light it on fire; if the flame was clear, the gin was strong enough to drink – it was, one could say, “navy strength.”
It’s unlikely sailors actually used this term; rather, “navy strength” was invented as a marketing term in the 1990s to sell higher-ABV beverages – a fact that takes a bit of the romance out of the term, yes, but does nothing to dilute the fact that these gins can leave you soaked in no time. Drink responsibly, sailor.
Contemporary Gin
Again, the name here is a bit of a telltale, but contemporary gins set themselves apart by elevating innovative flavors above traditional juniper. Some contemporary gins may be more peppery or floral notes; others may rely on citrus or earthen herbs. Whatever the ingredients, contemporary gins are determined to push the spirit into new realms, often with delicious results. Some reliable contemporary gins include rhubarb-infused Malfy Gin Rosa, tart KOVAL Cranberry Gin Liqueur, and the savory yet floral Broken Bones Ljubljana Dragon Gin.
Gin Ingredients:
While we’re discussing botanicals, now’s a good time to answer the question, “What is gin made of?” The answer: the possibilities are endless. Truly.
While all gins include juniper, various brands and types of gin contain a diverse potpourri of botanicals, herbs, and fruits. Here are some of the most common gin ingredients.
Juniper Berries
We should first note, just for clarity, that juniper berries aren’t really berries. They’re technically fleshy cones, more related to a pine cone than a blueberry. These “berries” are picked and then crushed or chopped before being blended with the base alcohol, releasing their fresh, citrusy essences.
We should also mention that soil, climate, and minerals all impact the juniper’s flavor, which explains why even similarly distilled gins can taste remarkably different – just one of the many reasons gin is such an adaptable tipple.
Coriander
Sometimes referred to as Chinese parsley, Coriander is the second most common gin botanical, after juniper. Sometimes referred to as Chinese parsley, coriander became so essential to gin because of its spiced nut essence that imparts the spirit with more body.
Angelica Root
Another prominent gin botanical, sweet Angelica Root adds a bit of sweet levity and wholesome earthiness to gins, creating a more approachable flavor profile that’s fit for everyday drinks and special occasions.
Orris Root
Sourced from the iris flower, Orris root adds a clean, spring-like sweetness to gin, somewhat similar to the Angelica root, but it’s far rarer because the roots must first be dried for five years. Therefore, orris root it’s often found in higher-end brands, such as Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice Gin.
Lemon
Lemon’s signature tartness may make it seem like a one-note ingredient, but lemon’s far more profound than many realize: It brightens the infusion, creating a more delicate and docile spirit by toning down the juniper that puts many people off gin. If you’re new to gin or prefer a breezier experience, seek out gin brands with lemon, such as Malfy’s Gin Con Limone.
Orange
As with lemon, orange tempers the gin’s pungent juniper, which is why many gin brands, such as Perfume Trees, leverage dried orange peels when distilling their gins.
Cardamom
You may not think that a gingery, autumnal spice like coriander would go well with resinous juniper, but the two botanicals have been used hand-in-hand for centuries. Somehow these two zesty flavors are mellowed when brought together, creating a smoother, sweeter gin.
Licorice
Licorice is probably as divisive as juniper itself. It’s sweet and bitter, sour and salty, all at once. That said, while not everyone will appreciate a licorice-infused gin, those who do will revel in the ways licorice and juniper interact, somehow becoming more than the sum of their parts. They’re lush, sharp, and resolute without being overpowering.
Chinese Cinnamon
Ground up cassia bark, sometimes called Chinese cinnamon, provides a warm, piquant undertone that provides gin a full-bodied flavor that’s particularly suited to winter months.
Black Pepper
Again, a simple ingredient that imbues gin with a deceptively elaborate tinge, black pepper can transform a muted gin into a livelier version of itself. Oftentimes black pepper’s blended with lemongrass, as well, to create a more nuanced flavor profile.
Cucumber
Light, sweet, and undeniably refreshing, a little cucumber goes a long way in taming gin’s juniper. If you’re just starting out with gin, or if you’re looking for an invigorating gin cocktail on a hot day, we suggest either buying a cucumber-infused gin or simply adding a slice or two to your next cocktail.
