What is Gin?

What is Gin?

Gin is a distilled alcoholic spirit made from grains and flavored with botanicals such as juniper berries, citrus peels, spices, herbs, and more. It has a predominant juniper flavor and aroma. Gin originated in the Netherlands and became popular in England, where it is closely associated with the British Empire.

Table of Contents

• History and Origins of Gin
• How Gin is Made
• Popular Gin Brands
• How to Drink Gin
• Popular Gin Cocktails
• Health Benefits and Risks of Gin
• Frequently Asked Questions

1. History and Origins of Gin

The origins of gin can be traced back to the Middle Ages in the Netherlands, where juniper-flavored spirits were used for medicinal purposes. In the 17th century, Franciscus Sylvius, a Dutch physician and chemist, is credited with developing modern gin by experimenting with distilling spirits with juniper.

1. Gin became popular in England after William of Orange, ruler of the Netherlands, took over the English throne in what became known as the “Glorious Revolution.” This helped gin spread to the British Isles.
2. Gin’s popularity boomed in England in the early 1700s, during the gin craze years. Due to low taxation and easy production, crude forms of gin called “gin lanes” flooded the market.
3.  In the 1830s, innovations in gin production like the column still and the formulation of Old Tom gin helped improve gin’s flavor. By the late 1800s, London dry gin was created as a drier, more mixable style.
4.  Gin continued gaining popularity throughout the 19th century as the British Empire expanded worldwide. Soldiers and colonists carried the spirit with them.
5.  During prohibition in the 1920s and 30s in the United States, gin was bootlegged and used in speakeasies. Some cocktails like the Bee’s Knees were invented during this time.
6.  After prohibition, gin’s popularity declined as Americans developed a preference for clear spirits. But by the late 20th century, gin started regaining popularity with a “gin revival.”
7. Many new gin styles are emerging, like modern London dry, navy strength, barrel-aged, and more artisanal and local gins like those from craft distilleries.

2. How Gin is Made

Gin is produced using a distillation process involving grains and botanicals. The primary ingredients are:

• - Grains (usually wheat, barley, rye, or corn) - The base spirit is first distilled from fermented grains.
• - Juniper berries - This provides gin's predominant flavor.
• - Other botanicals - Coriander seed, citrus peels, licorice root, almonds, cinnamon, cassia bark, and more.

1.  The grains are first milled and macerated to break down their starches into sugars. Then they are fermented into a "wash" using yeast.
2.  The wash is distilled in copper pot stills or column stills to create a high-proof neutral spirit.
3.  The neutral spirit is then redistilled in a pot along with juniper berries and other botanicals. The botanicals can be added in a "botanical basket" that hangs over the spirit, infusing flavors.
4.  After distillation, the gin may be cut with water to reduce the alcohol content. Additional flavorings, sweeteners, or colors may also be added.
5.  The gin is then bottled, and ready for sale and consumption.

Distillation and botanicals used distinguish the major gin styles:

• - London dry gin - No artificial flavors or colors added. Juniper forward.
• - Plymouth gin - Made with soft Dartmoor water, and seven botanicals.
• - Dutch/Genever gin - Malt wine base, heavier juniper.
• - New Western/American - Innovative botanicals like rose, cucumber, and sage.

3. Popular Gin Brands

Some of the best-known gin brands include:

1. Beefeater - A quintessential London dry gin, with a juniper and citrus profile.
2. Tanqueray - A bold, juniper-forward London dry gin.
3. Bombay Sapphire - Flavored with almonds, licorice, and lemon peel, among others.
4. Hendrick's - Distinctive for its infusion of cucumber and rose petals.
5. Plymouth - Has a slightly sweet flavor with earthy notes.
6. Gordon's - One of the top-selling gins, with a straightforward juniper taste.
7. Seagram's - A widely available more neutral flavored gin.
8. Aviation - An American gin with floral and citrus botanicals.
9. The Botanist - Scotch gin with 22 foraged local botanicals from Islay.
10. Monkey 47 - Unusual gin with 47 botanicals from the Black Forest in Germany.

4. How to Drink Gin

There are several classic ways to drink gin:

1. Neat or On the Rocks - Gin served solo, a room temp, or over ice.
2. Gin & Tonic - The quintessential way to drink gin, with tonic, lime and ice.
3. Tom Collins - Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda.
4. Martini - Gin and vermouth, either dry or dirty (with olive brine).
5. Gimlet - Gin and lime juice, served up.
6. Gin Rickey - With gin, lime, and carbonated water over ice.
7. Gibson - Gin martini garnished with a cocktail onion.

High-quality gin is commonly enjoyed chilled and neat to appreciate its aromas and flavors. Lower-quality gins may be better suited for cocktails and mixes.

5. Popular Gin Cocktails

Some favorite gin cocktail recipes include:

1. Gin and Tonic - The classic. Fill the glass with ice, 2 oz gin, 4-6 oz tonic water, and squeeze lime wedge.
2. Tom Collins - 2 oz gin, 1 oz lemon juice, .5 oz simple syrup, 3 oz club soda, lemon slice.
3. French 75 - 1 oz gin, .5 oz lemon juice, .5 oz simple syrup, 4 oz champagne, lemon twist.
4. Negroni - Equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, Campari, orange garnish.
5. Bramble - 2 oz gin, .75 oz lemon juice, .5 oz simple syrup, .5 oz creme de mure, lemon wheel, and blackberries.
6. Gin Fizz - 2 oz gin, .75 oz lemon juice, .5 oz simple syrup, 2 dashes orange flower water, 3 oz soda water.
7. Aviation - 2 oz gin, .5 oz lemon juice, .25 oz maraschino liqueur, .25 oz creme de violette.
8. Corpse Reviver #2 - 1 oz gin, 1 oz Cointreau, 1 oz Lillet Blanc, .75 oz lemon juice, dash absinthe.
9. Last Word - Equal parts gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, lime juice.

6. Health Benefits and Risks of Gin

In moderation, gin may offer some potential minor health benefits, but abuse can also be risky. Possible benefits and risks include:

Potential Benefits

• - Antioxidants from juniper and botanicals
• - Anti-inflammatory compounds
• - Polyphenols that may help heart health
• - Diuretic effects from juniper
• - May help relieve some types of pain

Potential Risks

• - High in calories due to alcohol content
• - Dehydration and headaches
• - Gastrointestinal issues
• - Liver damage and disease from chronic abuse
• - Addiction and alcoholism
• - Increased cancer risk

Overall moderation is critical. Excessive gin consumption regularly can lead to health deterioration over time. Experts define moderation as 1-2 servings per day for men and 1 serving per day for women.

7. Frequently Asked Questions

What does gin taste like?

Gin has a predominant taste of juniper berry and usually features herbal, floral, citrus, or spicy flavors depending on the botanicals used.

What is the alcohol content of gin?

Most gins are between 40-50% ABV (80-100 proof). Some modern craft gins may be higher at 50-60% ABV (100-120 proof).

What is the difference between gin and vodka?

Vodka is usually tasteless and odorless after distillation. Gin is flavored and aromatic from the botanicals added during distillation.

How long does an open bottle of gin last?

An opened bottle of gin will stay good for 1-2 years, as long as it is stored properly, out of direct light in a cool, dry place. Over time, some loss of flavor may occur.

What foods pair well with gin?

Gin pairs well with light, bright foods like salads, seafood, chicken, or pork. Flavors like citrus, herbs, cucumber, and pepper complement it. Tonics and garnishes add flavors too.