Botanicals, juniper and the art of the perfect serve
From the gin palaces of Victorian London to the craft distilleries of today — gin is the most exciting and diverse spirit category in the world right now.
"Gin and tonic has saved more Englishmen's lives than all the doctors in the Empire."— Winston Churchill
One rule above all others: juniper must be the dominant flavour. Everything else — the hundreds of botanicals, the distillation methods, the serve — is creative freedom.
By law, gin must taste predominantly of juniper berries — the small, piney cones that give gin its distinctive character. Without juniper dominance, it's simply flavoured vodka.
Beyond juniper, distillers add botanicals — roots, barks, flowers, citrus peels and spices. The combination and proportions are each distillery's most closely guarded secret.
Gin starts with a neutral grain spirit — essentially vodka — which is then redistilled or compounded with botanicals. The base spirit's quality matters more than most people realise.
"A perfect martini should be made by filling a glass with gin then waving it in the general direction of Italy."— Noël Coward
Not all gin is the same. Understanding the styles helps you find what you actually like — and order with confidence.
The benchmark style. All botanicals are added during distillation — nothing added after. Dry, juniper-forward and clean. Despite the name, it can be made anywhere in the world.
A catch-all for modern gins that push beyond juniper. Floral, fruity, savoury or just unusual. Hendricks (cucumber and rose) essentially invented this category.
Bottled at 57% ABV — the historic strength at which gunpowder would still ignite if soaked in gin. Intense, bold and not for the faint-hearted. The cocktail bartender's secret weapon.
Slightly sweeter than London Dry, Old Tom was the dominant style before modern gin. It's making a comeback as bartenders rediscover its versatility in classic cocktails.
"I like to have a martini, two at the very most. After three I'm under the table, after four I'm under the host."— Dorothy Parker
Gin is the most cocktail-friendly spirit in the world. These are the ones worth knowing.
Simple, refreshing and endlessly variable. The quality of the tonic matters as much as the gin — always use premium.
The most debated drink in history. Stirred, not shaken. Gin forward. A great martini is the ultimate test of a bartender.
The perfect aperitivo. Bitter, sweet and boozy in equal measure. One of the most perfectly balanced cocktails ever created.
The original long gin drink. Citrusy, slightly sweet and endlessly refreshing. Perfect for summer.
A naval classic — originally made with preserved lime juice to prevent scurvy. Now made with fresh lime for a sharp, clean result.
Created at the Raffles Hotel in 1915. Complex, fruity and a little theatrical. Every ingredient earns its place.
"The proper union of gin and vermouth is a great and sudden glory."— Bernard DeVoto