Botanicals. History. Flavour. Good company.
Few spirits have reinvented themselves quite like gin. It has travelled from early medicinal preparations to the notorious gin shops of eighteenth-century London, through generations of classic cocktails and into today's extraordinary world of craft distilling.
And through all of that change, one little berry has remained at the centre of the story: juniper.
WHAT ACTUALLY MAKES GIN, GIN?
Gin can contain an extraordinary variety of botanicals, but juniper is fundamental. Its characteristic piney, resinous and lightly citrus character forms the backbone around which distillers build their recipes.
From there, things become much more interesting.
Coriander can bring citrus and spice. Angelica root can contribute earthy dryness. Lemon and orange peel brighten a spirit, while ingredients such as cardamom, cinnamon, liquorice, herbs, berries and flowers can push a gin in completely different directions.
Gin flavours can broadly range across juniper, citrus, spice, herbal, fruit and floral characteristics. That helps explain why two clear bottles labelled gin can taste remarkably different.
FROM MEDICINE TO THE GIN CRAZE
Gin's history is considerably less polished than the beautiful bottles sitting on modern bar shelves.
Juniper-flavoured spirits have centuries of history, and gin became deeply embedded in English drinking culture. By the early eighteenth century, cheap gin had become enormously popular in London. The period became known as the Gin Craze, with widespread consumption eventually prompting Parliament to introduce increasingly strict controls on production and sale.
The famous Gin Act of 1751 was part of the effort to bring the trade under greater control.
So next time someone describes gin as terribly sophisticated, remember that its family history contains a wonderfully unruly chapter.
AND THEN SOMEBODY ADDED TONIC
The gin and tonic has its own fascinating history.
Tonic water's distinctive bitterness comes from quinine, historically obtained from the bark of Cinchona trees. Tonic water appeared commercially during the nineteenth century, and written references to gin and tonic followed.
There are plenty of colourful stories surrounding the origins of the G&T, including its association with quinine and malaria. Like many great drinking stories, the historical reality is more complicated than the legend.
The drink itself, however, endured brilliantly.
WHY DOES ONE GIN TASTE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM ANOTHER?
This is where gin becomes fun.
A strongly juniper-led London Dry can taste crisp, piney and dry. Increase the citrus botanicals and the profile becomes brighter. Introduce flowers and it can become aromatic and perfumed. Herbs create greener notes, while spices can bring warmth and complexity.
Even familiar gin brands can have remarkably different botanical recipes. That is why choosing gin simply by price or bottle design can mean missing half the fun.
HOW TO FIND THE GIN YOU ACTUALLY LIKE
Forget complicated tasting terminology for a moment. Ask yourself what flavours you normally enjoy.
Fresh and sharp? Look towards citrus-forward gin.
Traditional and dry? Start with a juniper-led London Dry.
Fragrant and delicate? Explore floral styles.
Green and aromatic? Herbal gin may be your territory.
Warm and complex? Look for recipes with prominent spice botanicals.
Sweeter and fruitier? Modern fruit-led expressions offer an enormous range.
There is no prize for choosing the gin somebody else says you should like. The right gin is the one that makes you want another sip.
THE SIMPLE GIN AND TONIC
You don't need twelve ingredients and smoke coming out of the glass.
Start with plenty of ice. Add your chosen gin, top with a good tonic and choose a garnish that complements rather than overwhelms the botanicals.
A classic juniper-forward gin often works beautifully with lemon or lime. Citrus-driven gin can pair naturally with complementary citrus peel. Herbal styles can work with rosemary or other aromatic herbs.
Sometimes simple really is better.
GIN HAS COME FULL CIRCLE
Gin has been medicine, controversy, mass-market spirit, cocktail essential and craft obsession. Today, distillers can work with botanicals from around the world while still returning to the ingredient that has defined the spirit for centuries: juniper.
Perhaps that's why gin continues to survive every drinking fashion thrown at it. There is always another botanical combination to discover, another serve to try and another bottle with a completely different story behind it.
And really, that's half the pleasure.
EXPLORE THE GIN COLLECTION AT BOOZE CELLAR & EU CELLAR
From classic London Dry styles to modern botanical expressions, discover gin for the G&T you already love and perhaps a few you haven't met yet.
18+ only. Please enjoy responsibly.