What is gin made from?

Gin is a spirit flavoured with juniper berries and other botanicals. The neutral base spirit can come from a range of sources but is usually made from a flavourless grain spirit. Distilleries infuse the base spirit with botanicals such as spices, flowers, herbs, berries, or fruit. This blank slate allows gin to complement a wide range of flavours, from raspberry pink gin to parma violet.

What makes a good gin?

Quality ingredients are essential when choosing gin. The base grain spirit should be smooth and able to carry flavour from selected botanicals. High-quality, often local botanicals offer the most complex flavour profiles. The best gin ultimately depends on personal taste. Some gins, like ours, are citrusy and floral, while others are spicy and herbal.

Can you drink gin straight?

Yes, gin can be drunk straight, although neat spirit may overpower delicate botanical aromas. To enhance flavour, try adding soda water and a complementary garnish such as citrus, cucumber, or strawberry. For a sweeter serve, tonic or lemonade works well.

What can you mix with gin?

Gin traditionally mixes well with tonic water, but it is a versatile spirit. Alternatives include lemonade, soda water, ginger ale, fruit juice, or fruit soda. The best mixer depends on the gin’s flavour profile. Floral gins pair well with elderflower, citrus gins with cloudy lemonade, and fruity gins with lemonade, cream soda, or soda water.

What does gin taste like?

Juniper is the defining flavour of gin. It is often described as pine-like with notes of citrus zest and pink or black pepper. Gin can also feature flavours such as anise, candied lemon peel, coriander, violet, elderflower, and lavender.