Explore Gin’s Versatility In These Favorite Drinks
Gin is a fascinating liquor to explore. Its botanicals give it a characteristic that no other liquor has one brand can have a completely different profile from another and it is surprisingly versatile when it comes to flavor profiles. Gin is also the foundation for some of the best drinks ever made, including the iconic martini.
Though certainly not as numerous as vodka cocktails, there are thousands of great gin cocktails to explore and the list can be quite overwhelming. Some cocktails work best with a specific gin, some are for acquired tastes and others are reliable and always there for us when we need them.
If you’re just starting out on your journey through the world of gin cocktails, we recommend the ones listed below as essential to your experience. All are quite popular, some more than others, and each has a different appeal that has drawn in drinkers year after year for decades.
The selections include gin at its best in the simplest of mixes as well as in the more complicated, often disputed, and finely balanced recipes. These classics are some of the most timeless drinks that you will find.
More Martin Miller’s Gins
will be the next step in your exploration of this brand. This bottle is a little stronger at 45 percent ABV , which makes it a fantastic option for any gin cocktail you want to pour it in. You will not lose any of that signature gin flavor with this option!
You can also explore the effects of aging on ginsomething most gin is not subjected towith Martin Miller’s 9 Moons. This bottling rests the gin in previously used bourbon barrels for nine months to give it a fascinating sweetness of vanilla and oak.
Burleighs Gin Rehoboam 45 Liters
If you are looking to spend a little more on a gin you know you love, Burleighs 4.5 liter bottle is the way to go. Why settle on a smaller bottle of something so remarkable? This classic London Dry Gin is vibrant with the floral and citrus notes that every gin lover yearns for. Let yourself be enchanted by fresh eucalyptus, dry juniper, and bold pine. 45 West Distillers packages their signature London Dry Gin in regular sized bottles, but with this delicious gin, size does matter. Dare to go big with Burleighs.
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How To Recycle Gin Bottles
Glass bottles can usually go in your household recycling bin. If your council doesnt accept them, you can take them to a local bottle bank. Make sure to empty out all the liquid, give the bottle a quick rinse and put the lid back on to reduce the chance of it getting lost during the sorting process.
Natural corks cant go in your recycling bin, but they can be composted. You can also recycle corks through Recorked UK either by posting them or dropping them off at your nearest collection point.
Synthetic corks, which are made of plastic, cant be recycled or composted. They should be disposed of in your general waste bin.
Best For G& t: Beefeater London
Courtesy of Wine
Region: UK | ABV: 44% | Tasting Notes: Juniper, Pepper, Almond
Time and time again, the best inexpensive bottle of London dry gin is Beefeater, says Jonathan Stanyard of Feast in Seattle. This iconic product is a great representation of the category, offering enough juniper, clean citrus and my favorite classic addition, almonds. The almonds lend a nutty tone and more importantly, they add some body to the mouthfeel.
Try this one in a gin and tonic, as it has the perfect balance of botanicals to complement the bitter from the tonic and tang from the citrus.
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What Is The Best Gin Drink For A First
The gin and tonic! Dont drink gin straight. I doubt very much you will enjoy it. The best way to drink your gin for the first time is on a gin and tonic, and its straightforward to prepare. For our taste test, we will only use two ingredients gin and tonic water. We want to compare the taste between gins and decide which one you like best, so well prepare all in the same manner.
Roku: Best Bottle Design
Roku is the gin you want proudly displayed in the centre of your cabinet. Not only does it look stylish, but whats on the inside follows through too. Created by the House of Suntory in Osaka, Japan, Rokus history of gin distillery dates back almost 100 years.
Roku means six in Japanese: named as such because there are six very important botanicals in the gin. All sourced from Japan, the bottle offers a unique flavour on the market when mixed with another eight more traditional gin botanicals: juniper berry, coriander seed, angelica root, angelica seed, cardamom seed, cinnamon, bitter orange peel, and lemon peel.
This overarching combination results in a successful taste thats both unique and delicious. The bottle design, inscribed with a floral design, adds to the appeal.
Best bottle design: Roku Japanese Gin
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How Do You Start Drinking Gin
To start drinking gin, you should do a test to find out which gin you like most. This way, youll be prepared with a go-to gin when youre out at a bar with friends and already know what gin to order.
For this taste test, you will need a few bottles of gin and tonic water. Youre just tasting the different flavors in gin, no need to get fancy with preparing cocktails well serve them all in the same fashion.
One thing to note about serving gin is that you should use one part gin and three-part tonic. Be sure to use this measure for the taste testing to evaluate all the gins equally. A gin and tonic with too much gin will not be as pleasant. The perfect ratio between gin and tonic may vary depending on the brand many gin bottles even provide instructions for a perfect serve.
Best To Drink Neat: Gray Whale
Courtesy of Wine
Region: California | ABV: 43% | Tasting Notes: Mint, Lime, Juniper
While gin is not ordinarily considered a sipping spirit, there are a few bottles out there that taste great neat. Californias Gray Whale Gin is one of these, made with six sustainably sourced botanicals from the state: juniper, mint, limes, fir tree, almonds, and kombu. This combination of flavors results in a light and crisp gin that works well in any cocktail, but can also be enjoyed in a Glencairn glass, or perhaps in a tumbler with some ice.
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Mcqueen And The Violet Fog
This small-batch gin tastes like a cocktail straight out of the bottle. With 21 botanicals from across the world, each sip of McQueen and the Violet Fog Gin has a vibrant story to tell. From sweetness to heat to herbaceous notes that veer towards culinary savoriness , this flavor profile will turn you into a gin lover.
Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin
Another gin that seems out of place based on its country of origin. Ireland is well-known for its beer and whiskey, but not so much for its gin. Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin aims to change that with its myriad Oriental botanicals including Gunpowder tea, caraway, kaffir lime, and Oriental grapefruit. Using it as the base for your drink gives it a herbal, citrusy base that feels like it was created to be paired with quinine and lime.
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How Is Seedlip Made
Before we get into tasting, heres some background about their process. Seedlip is made by distilling high quality botanicals individually then blending them to create the final products. Its a six week process involving maceration, copper pot distillation, and blending and filtration for each ingredient.
Then the final product is blended. The ingredients are all listed on the products. Its actually quite impressive the lengths they go to to create this non-alcoholic beverage.
Best Gin For Tom Collins
The floral notes in Hendricks Midsummer Solstice gin stand up beautifully to a crisp, refreshing, and fizzy Tom Collins, which is the quintessential summer cocktail. This light, crisp gin adds a refreshing edge to the mixed drink that’s bright and delicious. You’ll pay about $40 for a 750 mL bottle.
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The Link Between Gout And Alcohol
The link between gout and alcohol has long been assumed with doctors advising their gout patients to stay away from the beverage. Drinking alcohol regularly can cause some serious repercussions to gout sufferers, especially those who drink beer.
Due to indulgent lifestyles becoming more common, the number of gout cases over the years have increased too.
Beer
If beer is your alcohol of choice, consider lowering your intake as soon as possible.
Its been strongly associated with gout attacks as not only does it contain alcohol but it also has the highest level of purines than any other alcoholic beveragesomething that your doctor told you is the probable cause of your gout. Its also very high in brewers yeast which is known to worsen gout pain.
In one study, they found that patients who consumed a 12-ounce serving of beer per day were almost two times more likely to have gout compared to those who dont drink alcohol.
Another extensive study found that two to four beers a week increased ones chances of developing gout by 25 percent. The more beer they drank, the more likely they were to suffer from a gout attack. Too much alcohol increases uric acid production and makes it difficult for the body to get rid of.
Hard Liquors
Hard liquors have the same effect though not as severe. Spirits like vodka and whiskey raise the risk for a gout attack but only half as much as beer.
Wine drinkers are not safe either.
Greysons London Dry Gin At Aldi
Yes, the worst kept secret in bargain food-shopping is also home to, officially, one of the worlds best gins. Formerly the Oliver Cromwell London Dry Gin, and now Greyson’s London Dry Gin, it won a gold medal at the International Wine and Spirits Competition and its hard to argue with its bone dry and straight-forward flavouring, this gin is unfussy and versatile with notes of juniper, lemon, and orange peel before fading to reveal hints of hot wax. Your booze cupboard deserves this bargain.
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Citadelle Jardin Dt Gin
This is a new gin from Citadelle, a French brand created by Maison Ferrand owner Alexandre Gabriel. He uses what he calls a progressive infusion process, essentially infusing each botanical in a particular order to truly capture their essence. Jardin dété differs from the original in the botanicals that are used, which are said to have been inspired by Gabriels wife Debbies garden. In addition to the original 19 botanicals, Charentais melon flesh, whole lemon , yuzu zest and even more orange peel are added to flavor this gin. This is a fruity summertime sipper, with big lemon and orange notes that mingle with the juniper and spice flavors anchoring the palate.
Which Seedlip Spirit Makes The Best Non
Seedlip Distilled Non-Alcoholic Spirits was a pioneer in the world of non-alcoholic spirits and alternative beverages when it debuted in 2015. They were acquired by Diageo, a huge company in the alcoholic beverages industry.
This might explain the recent visibility in the US market, especially during the first month of the year, aka Dry January. As a drinker of alcohol, I finally had to know: is Seedlip any good? What does it taste like? So, I picked up a 3 pack and started testing it out. This is the beginning of that journey.
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Best London Dry Gin: Sipsmith London Dry Gin
- Like a roller coaster of flavors
- More pleasant to drink than mass-produced gins
Craft gin owes its existence to Sipsmith, which started in 2007 in London. Because of a British excise act from 1823 that banned distillers from obtaining a license for a still under 1,800 liters, the brand’s founders couldn’t license their 300-liter capacity still. Sipsmith’s founders led Britain to change its law, and now the world has Sipsmith gin and a variety of other craft gin distillers. Its London Dry Gin is the apex of the style. Expect juniper on the forefront, which leads the way to citrus notes finished by warm baking spices.
An Dlamn Irish Maritime Gin
A truly original drink, the list ingredients are somewhat lengthy so here goes. Firstly, the oceanic stuff: kelp from Donegal, moss , two types of dulse and channel wrack. Then the regular stuff, which includes juniper, coriander and orange/lemon. Hailing from the windswept Irish coast, this is not one for steamy summer afternoons but for wild autumn and winter nights. Add plenty of lemon for a G& T. Theres a lot going on with this already, so keep it simple. £29.95. Atthewhiskeyexchange.com
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Best American: Dorothy Parker
Region: New York | ABV: 44% | Tasting Notes: Elderberry, Citrus, Juniper
There are so many distilleries making American gin these days, from craft distillers waiting for their whiskey to age, to larger operations intent on creating gin using local botanicals.
This American gin is made in Brooklyn by the New York Distilling Company, which named it after the famed poet and writer. This is a thoroughly modern gin with hints of classicism, made using a botanical blend that includes elderberries, citrus, cinnamon, and hibiscus, along with the requisite juniper.
Region: UK | ABV: 54.5% | Tasting Notes: Plum, Baking Spice, Juniper
Navy strength means gin that is higher proof , a throwback to the days when the British navy sailed the seas with gin stored onboard near the gunpowder. If the gin was high proof and leaked into the gunpowder, it would still lighthence, the name. Fords introduced its Officers’ Reserve Gin in 2019.
It is an excellently executed London dry gin made with mostly traditional old-school botanicals that is wonderful in its original all-purpose expression, said Smith. But then they decided to tantalize us with a more concentrated version that they rest in sherry barrels for a touch of authentic British Royal Navy flavor.
Best For Beginners: Sipsmith
Region: UK | ABV: 41.6% | Tasting Notes: Lemon, Honey, Juniper
Sipsmith offers a beautiful balance of taste and ABV, says Casey. I love this gin because they offer a variety of specialty flavors. Each flavor is unique and sets Sipsmith apart from other gin distilleries. The London Dry expression is a great introduction to the category for novice drinkers with its mix of juniper and citrus flavors. It puts the London in London dry, says DeFrance. Its passionately designed to be excellent.
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Ki No Bi Kyoto Dry Gin
Japanese spirits are quickly becoming a mainstay in North American drinking culture. Still, many gin enthusiasts havent tried the best of what Japanese distillers can do with juniper. Ki No Bi is a great place to start. Its an ultra-premium dry gin made in Kyoto using primarily Japanese ingredients. The gins base is a rice spirit, while botanicals include yuzu, hinoki , bamboo and gyokuro green tea. Ki No Bi practices a very different distillation process than most gins by individually distilling six categories of botanicals: base, citrus, tea, herbal, spice and floral. These six individually-distilled botanicals are then blended to create a bold, distinct flavor that deserves to be sipped on its own at least once before mixing in cocktails.
Courtesy Drizly.com
Best Splurge: Highclere Castle
Region: UK | ABV: 43.5% | Tasting Notes: Lavender, Citrus, Juniper
The London dry gin I prefer when making my Terribly Attractive cocktail at Bar Margot is Highclere Castle, says Thandi Walton, lead bartender at Bar Margot inside Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta.
This particular gins orange-lavender forward notes and creamy oat finish paired with sweet yellow chartreuse, orgeat and lemon juice with the aromatic Peychauds bitters float make for a balanced cocktail that can be enjoyed all year-round.
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Best London Dry: Beefeater London Dry
Region: UK | ABV: 44% | Tasting Notes: Juniper, Lemon, Almond
There are many well-known brands that make the classic London dry-style of gin, but Beefeater is one of the best and most ubiquitous. While London dry gin does not have to actually be made in London , it does need to meet other requirements that govern the distillation process. In short, these gins need to be made from pure grain spirit, with no flavor or artificial additives added after distillation.
Beefeaters nine-botanical recipe includes juniper, Seville orange, orris, and lemon peel, creating an easy-sipping gin that works well in any cocktail.
Best American Gin: Amass Dry Gin
- Features a laundry list of botanicals
- Savoriness take some getting used to
First and foremost, Amass is a botanicals brand , so it makes sense for Amass to get in on the gin game. Distilled in Los Angeles, the Dry Gin features 29 botanicals sourced from around the area. The most interesting additions to the gin are mushrooms reishi and lion’s main which give the gin umami notes, making it all the more satisfying to drink. When it comes to this gin, come for the juniper, but stay for the other 28 botanicals.
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