Everything You Need To Know About Gin

Gin is the classic cocktail spirit. Don’t believe us? There are actually more recipes for gin cocktails than recipes for any other spirit. In fact, the martini was originally a gin cocktail. That is, until Smirnoff’s marketing team totally stole Gin’s thunder. The original recipe for a martini consists of gin, dry vermouth, bitters (optional), and is garnished with green olives (not optional, unless you hate olives).

What is Gin made from?

Gin is grain spirit re-distilled with botanicals (think juniper, rose petals, black pepper, citrus peel, lavender, etc.). The end product of this extensive distillation process is incredibly aromatic, which makes Gin perfect for cocktails like the gin & tonic.

How do you drink Gin?

Well, Gin is meant to be mixed. Unlike Vodka & Tequila, you would never do a shot of Gin. The aromatic qualities of Gin lend it to being mixed with everything from plain soda to specialty liqueurs like Campari.

What are popular Gin drinks?

Gin cocktails range from the super simple Gin & Tonic, Gimlet, and Classic Gin Martini, to the more complicated Negroni, Singapore Sling, and Corpse Reviver.

What are the best Gins?

Gin was originally created by the Dutch, but during the Thirty Years War, the English (who fought against them) fell in love. By the 18th century, the English had taken over the Gin game and were producing it in earnest. Since then, the English have had many successful and delicious Gin brands.

Tanqueray Gin - Supposedly Frank Sinatra’s favorite Gin. Heavy on the citrus flavors, this Gin is probably the most commonly used in a Dry Gin Martini and other gin cocktails.
Beefeater Gin - This Gin has been around since the 1860s and is the very definition of a London Dry Gin. It’s nine botanicals are steeped to give this Gin its characteristic spicy and fruity flavors.
Hendrick’s Gin - A modern Gin for people who say they hate Gin. Hendrick’s goes light on the juniper taste so it isn’t overwhelming. Instead, the main flavors here are cucumber and rose petals.
Bulldog London Dry Gin - Award winning, need we say more? Probably. Although it has a traditional recipe, Bulldog added some mysterious botanicals to the mix like poppy & dragon’s eye, which intrigued us. Adding in the fact that it was 4x distilled in copper pots and it comes in that awesome black bottle, you can’t do better under $50.

New Amsterdam

You May Also Like