What is Gin? (The Strange Story Behind This Bold Spirit)

For those who haven’t grown to appreciate gin yet, we made this short and accessible guide on everything you should know about gin.

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Gin is not always the first drink you consider when you roll into a bar. Unless, of course, you’re that person who already knows the magic of juniper.🍸

Although gin may stand in the shadow of whisky or vodka these days, it’s been bouncing back fiercely, especially among the younger crowd. Cue a montage of stylish 20-somethings sipping G&Ts.

If you haven’t joined the gin club yet, here’s your friendly rundown of everything you need to know about Gin.

What is gin? (the strange story behind this bold spirit) | source | crimson cocktail
Woman pouring gin.

Key takeaways

  • Gin’s history stretch from medieval cures to global craft popularity.
  • Iconic styles like London Dry, Plymouth, Old Tom, and Genever anchor gin’s legacy.
  • Production hinges on steeping, vapor infusion, or vacuum distillation, each preserving delicate botanical flavors in unique ways.
  • Modern trends emphasize premiumization, sustainability, and innovative flavor combos.

What is Gin?

Gin is a clear spirit that gets its primary flavor from juniper berries, distinguishing it from other clear liquors. At its core, it’s essentially a neutral grain spirit (like vodka) that’s been infused with botanicals – think herbs, roots, fruits, and spices.

What is gin? (the strange story behind this bold spirit)for those who haven’t grown to appreciate gin yet, we made this short and accessible guide on everything you should know about gin.
Blue bottle of gin with juniper berries and pine needles.

While juniper leads the show, most gins include a supporting cast of botanical characters that create unique flavor profiles.

London Dry is the most common style, featuring strong juniper notes backed by citrus peel, coriander, angelica root and other traditional botanicals. Modern craft gins often push boundaries with unconventional ingredients like lavender, cucumber, or tea.

Illustration of a bottle of gin with juniper berries.
Illustration of a bottle of gin with juniper berries.

Production Regions

Regional indications can matter for labeling and authenticity—like wine appellations, but for juniper goodness.

  • London Dry Gin: Not location-bound but subject to strict distillation rules.
  • Plymouth Gin: Historically produced in Plymouth, England.
  • Menorca Gin: Holds a protected geographical indication from Spain.

Production (How Gin Is Made)

Modern gin production typically involves three main distillation methods, each offering a distinct way to capture the essence of juniper and other botanicals:

  1. Steeping (Maceration)
    Botanicals are soaked in a neutral base spirit for up to 48 hours, allowing flavors and oils to infuse. This process often happens in a pot still, creating a bold, juniper-forward spirit.
  2. Vapor Infusion
    The botanicals sit in a basket above the base spirit. As the spirit is heated, alcoholic vapors rise and pass through the botanical basket, extracting nuanced aromas without fully submerging the ingredients.
  3. Vacuum Distillation
    Conducted under reduced pressure, this method lowers the boiling point of the spirit. By distilling at cooler temperatures, delicate flavors remain intact, resulting in a subtle, refined gin profile.

A video titled ‘What is Gin? | Everything You Need to Know‘ from the Distiller YouTube channel.

The Many Styles of Gin

For a spirit that is so old, you can expect that many styles have been developed out of the original recipe. And you’d be right.

The great thing about gin is that it is very complex, with lots of variants. There are super dry, acidic gins as well as light, sweet and juicy ones. There are styles of gins for all palates. Flavored gins are a world of their own, with an insane amount of ingredients mixed into the distillation process to make truly unique tastes.

To know how to drink gin you would need to at least know the fundamental differences between the most famous ones. These are:

  • London Dry Gin: Not necessarily coming from London, but based on the style that was popular there, it is often dominated by citrus flavors and the taste of the juniper berries is very prominent.
  • American Gin: Also known as “New Style” and “New Western Dry”, it is a modern style that includes lots of gins made in the USA. Not a specific taste then, but more of an origin.
  • Plymouth Gin: Originating from the England town, once could be only produced there but not anymore. It has a distinct taste that is full of botanical ingredients and quite mellow, making it an easy-to-drink type of gin.
  • Genever: Also known as “Holland gin” as it comes from there and is the closest to the original taste of gin made in the Netherlands in the 17th century. It is often sweeter than other gins, with a yellow tint. Its flavors are more herbal than fruity.
  • Old Tom: This is a sweeter version of the London Dry. Still full of citrus flavors, but softened thanks to the addition of sugar syrup. Once rare and available only within the UK, nowadays it is commonly found in most well-equipped bars.

These are the tip of the iceberg. Knowing these only makes you already a well-versed gin drinker though, so it’s worth having them in mind next you go shopping for new spirits.

Gin cocktail with lemon in wine glass
Gin cocktail with lemon in wine glass.

Famous Gin Based Cocktails

Admittedly, straight gin is… an acquired taste. Either you fall in love with it immediately, or it may take years before you can appreciate it undiluted and unmixed.

Luckily gin lends itself well to be made into cocktails with other liqueurs.If you’re curious about gin but not thrilled about sipping it neat, try these simple mixes:

  • Gin & Tonic: Crisp, refreshing, and perfect for hot days.
  • Martini: Gin + dry vermouth, garnished with an olive or lemon peel. Classic sophistication.
  • Tom Collins: Light, sweet, and citrusy with a bubbly finish.
  • Negroni: Equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari—ideal for that bittersweet taste.

Famous Gin Brands

Well-furnished supermarkets and alcohol stores will have dozens of different brands of gins. Hard to discern the best ones if you are a new drinker.

Starting with one of the most famous brands of gin makes sense; from those, you can then build your preferences and know what you prefer to drink next time. So, if you’re stocking up at the liquor store, You’ll likely see these names:

  • Plymouth. Not to be confused with the style, it is the name of a single distillery in Devon, UK, that was the inventor of the style.
  • Bols Genever. One of the giants of spirits production, Bols is from the Netherlands and has a large share of the spirits and liqueurs market. Of course, they couldn’t produce a superb gin in the Genever style.
  • Hendricks. A recent brand of gin, from Scotland. It was only founded in 1999 but quickly became known for its delicate, cucumber and rose flavored, type of gin.
  • Tanqueray. Another one from Scotland but much older, hailing back to the 1830. Tanqueray is a dry gin that is strongly herbal and with sweet liquorice notes.
  • Beefeater. A dry gin as well, from London. It uses nine botanicals to make a complex gin in the style of the London dry tradition.
  • Bombay Sapphire. One of the most commonly suggested gins for new drinkers of the spirit, Bombay Sapphire, and their blue bottle is known anywhere. Ten botanical-based ingredients make a truly classic gin.
  • Gordon’s. Another gin for the lovers of London Dry ones, Gordon’s has been making gins for over 250 years and it is one of the most beloved brands in England.
  • Bols Genever: Dutch producer with an impressive array of spirits, including top-notch genever.
  • Gordon’s: Over 250 years of gin-making under its belt.
Gin and tonic with hendricks gin
Gin and tonic with hendricks gin.

A Brief History of Gin

The traditional origin of gin is linked to the 17th century dutch physician Franciscus Sylvius, but it is not exactly true. We know for certain that spirits made by distilling alcohol with juniper berries, which are at the core of the taste of all gins, had been existing for at least 4 centuries before, if not even earlier.

Early juniper-based spirits first served medicinal purposes. Over centuries, these concoctions paved the way for modern gin. The direct predecessor of gin combined grain-based malt wine with juniper to mask harsh flavors, birthing what we’d call “jenever.” This style eventually influenced the English.

English soldiers encountered juniper spirits while fighting alongside Dutch troops. The comforting boost of jenever before battle gave rise to the phrase “Dutch Courage.”

The gin shop a satirical sketch on the dangers of drinking alcohol
The gin shop: a satirical sketch on the dangers of drinking alcohol.

When William ascended the English throne (late 17th century), gin production skyrocketed. By the early 1700s, “Gin Craze” mania gripped London, with some folks drinking up to three liters weekly. 😲

William Hogarth’s infamous Gin Lane (1751) captured the social toll of overconsumption, spurring legislative efforts to control the spirit’s rampant popularity.

Though often linked to a 17th-century Dutch physician, juniper-distilled spirits existed at least four centuries earlier. Gin eventually became so popular in the Netherlands that England imported it as an alternative to French brandy—nobody wanted to pay their rivals. By the 18th century, thousands of establishments poured cheap gin in England.

Later, Britain’s colonies spread gin worldwide. It dominated until the 1900s when whisky rose to fame, and then vodka took over. Recently, craft distilleries have reimagined gin with herbal, fruity twists, inspiring new generations to sip, mix, and enjoy.

Now, gin is once again on the rise, especially as craft distilleries tinker with new botanicals and eco-friendly production methods. Picture a hip new bar decked out in neon signs, spinning modern pop tunes, and featuring a gin flight on its menu.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a seasoned gin fanatic or just dipping your toes in juniper waters, there’s something here for everyone. Don’t hesitate to pick up a new bottle, experiment with funky garnishes, or even infuse your own syrups at home. 😉

What’s your favorite gin cocktail? Drop a comment, and let’s chat! If you want more insider scoops, sign up for our mailing list. Stay cozy, stay safe, and if you’re breaking out the gin tonight—cheers to centuries of flavorful fun!

Jedain crimson cocktail 2.
Written by Jedain Arron, Founder and writer

Hey there! 👋 I'm Jedain, a 30-something-year-old Cocktail enthusiast from Columbus, Ohio. I've fallen head over heels for the art of crafting cocktails, with a particular passion for anything whiskey-based. (Bourbon has captured my heart).

This blog documents my adventures in mixology (shakers, stirrers, and all). Follow along as I explore classic and contemporary cocktail recipes, share my favorite Bourbon discoveries, and chronicle my journey through the world of craft spirits and cocktail creation.

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Edited by Nick Eggert, Editor

Nick is our staff editor and co-founder. He has a passion for writing, editing, and website development. His expertise lies in shaping content with precision and managing digital spaces with a keen eye for detail. When not working on the site, you can find him sipping Bourbon at the karaoke bar.

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