A Complete Guide to Different Types of Gin
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Jun 7, 2021 • 5 min read
Most casual drinkers know gin as the primary ingredient in a classic Martini or Gin and Tonic, but there's a lot more to discover about this versatile cocktail spirit.
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What Is Gin?
Gin is a type of spirit characterized by the flavor of juniper berries. Gin makers produce gin by infusing a neutral spirit with botanical ingredients during the distillation process. For liquor to be classified as gin in the United States, it must contain no less than 40 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).
What Does Gin Taste Like?
Each brand of gin has its own distinct taste. Most types of gin predominantly feature a pine flavor derived from juniper berry. Other popular botanicals used in gin include angelica root, orris root, licorice root, cassia bark, orange peel, grapefruit peel, and dried herbs like coriander and anise. While all gins have juniper flavor, these additional botanical ingredients make each brand of gin unique.
3 Techniques for Making Gin
Making gin involves a distillation process that begins with extracting ethanol from a base spirit. That ethanol is then redistilled, but this time juniper berries and other botanicals are added to the mix. There are three redistillation techniques used by gin distillers to infuse botanicals into the ethanol:
- 1. Steeping: For this technique, the distiller mixes the ethanol and botanicals in a pot still—a metal container situated over a heat source. The botanicals steep in the base spirit. Depending on the flavor profile that the distiller wishes to achieve, they may remove the botanicals promptly or let them steep for up to 48 hours.
- 2. Vapor infusion: This method involves a modified still known as a Carter-head still, which is equipped with a suspended basket. The basket contains the botanicals and hangs over the surface of the base spirit. When the spirit is heated in the still, ethanol vapors rise up into the botanical basket. This allows the botanicals to release their essential oils into the vapors. The vapors then reliquify, carrying the botanical flavors with them.
- 3. Vacuum distillation: Also known as cold distillation, this distillation technique requires a low-pressure vacuum environment, which greatly reduces ethanol’s boiling point. Proponents of this method claim that without the extreme heat, the flavors from the botanicals remain intact.
Some distillers use both the steeping and vapor infusion methods and blend each finished product to make a compound gin.
5 Types of Gin
- 1. London Dry: London Dry Gin doesn’t necessarily have to originate in England, but it is where the style originated. Juniper is typically the most immediately detectable botanical component of a London Dry Gin, with citrus, angelica root, and coriander rounding out the back end. Most London Dry Gin producers bottle their gin at a high proof, making the spirit very versatile for both shaken and stirred cocktails.
- 2. Plymouth: When looking for the mellow cousin to London Dry Gin, reach for Plymouth Gin. Produced in the South of England and bottled at a lower proof, this gin is distinctly less juniper-forward than London Dry. Plymouth makes for a silky and subtle Martini, with earthy spice notes and a light salinity. Note that Plymouth does produce a Navy Strength gin—clocking in at 57 percent alcohol by volume, it is more akin to a London Dry in character and application. While most gin types can be produced by any distiller, Plymouth Gin Distillery in England is the only distillery with the rights to produce this type of gin.
- 3. Old Tom: An older style of gin that has a rich, malty mouthfeel and a distinct citrusy sweetness, Old Tom Gin is sometimes aged in barrels, making it wonderful for shaken cocktails like a classic Tom Collins. It also holds its own in stirred cocktails like the classic Martinez.
- 4. Genever: Genever is the precursor to modern gin. Originating in sixteenth-century Holland, genever is richer than gin, with a savory, earthy, malty flavor. Distillers make genever in Holland, Belgium, and certain parts of France and Germany, distilling it from malt wine spirits in lieu of neutral grain spirits. Genever's flavor palate makes it an excellent choice for a Gin Old Fashioned or any cocktail that contains sweet vermouth
- 5. International Style: New expressions of gin are appearing all over the globe seemingly every day, from Spain to Japan, Brazil to the United States. Freed from the traditional botanical trappings of the London Dry style, many contemporary gin producers craft their spirits as direct reflections of their geography, incorporating local roots and botanicals. To explore how best to use more niche gins, try using them in a Martini first, then move on to more complex cocktails like a Negroni.
9 Classic Gin Cocktails to Try
Next time you're craving a gin drink, order one of these eight classic gin cocktails or learn to make it at home.
- 1. Gin Martini: A Gin Martini is made with dry vermouth and London Dry Gin, garnished with an olive or lemon twist, and served in a chilled coupe glass. A classic wet Martini emphasizes the harmony of gin and vermouth. No need to shake or fuss over how long to stir the ingredients.
- 2. Gin and Tonic: The Gin and Tonic is a simple cocktail made with gin and tonic water poured over ice in a highball glass and garnished with a lime wedge.
- 3. Gin Rickey: A Gin Rickey is simply a Gin and Tonic with the addition of freshly squeezed lime juice. Learn how to make a Gin Rickey cocktail here.
- 4. Gin Fizz: Make a Gin Fizz by mixing gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water in an Old Fashioned glass, then serve with a lemon peel garnish.
- 5. Ramos Gin Fizz: The Ramos Gin Fizz is made with gin, egg white, lime juice, lemon juice, sugar, cream, soda water, and orange flower water.
- 6. Gin Sour: A Gin Sour is simply a Gin Fizz without the addition of soda water.
- 7. Monkey Gland: The Monkey Gland is a classic gin cocktail with an alluring pinkish-orange color, made with dry gin, fresh orange juice, grenadine, and absinthe. Serve it in a chilled cocktail glass.
- 8. Tom Collins: The Tom Collins is a refreshing, carbonated gin cocktail made with club soda, simple syrup, and lemon juice and garnished with a lemon slice and maraschino cherry. Serve a Tom Collins in its namesake glass, the Collins glass.
- 9. French 75: The French 75 cocktail includes gin, simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and champagne. Serve it in a champagne coupe. Learn how to make a Classic French 75 cocktail here.
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