Build a Bar Workshop: Gin

A good quality Gin should be a staple in your home bar. Gin is a vital ingredient in a range of classic cocktails, from the obvious (gin & tonic) to the colorful (Negroni), to the ultimate (martini). The subtle flavors of London Dry Gin are easy to use as a cocktail base.

Gin History

Juniper berries

The first confirmed date for the production of gin is the early 17th century in Holland, where it was produced as a medicine and sold in drug stores to treat stomach complaints, gout and gallstones. To make it more palatable, the Dutch started to flavor it with juniper, which had medicinal properties of its own.

British troops fighting in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) were given "Dutch Courage" during the long campaigns in the damp weather. Eventually, they started bringing it back home with them, where already it was often sold in their version of drug stores, called chemist shops.

King Charles I authorized the formation of the Worshipful Company of Distillers, where members had the sole right to distill spirits in London and Westminster and up to twenty-one miles beyond. This improved both the quality of gin and its image, and it also helped English agriculture by using surplus corn and barley.

Gin triumphed in the 1920's - the first "Cocktail Age" - after having been scarce during the First World War.

Gin Today

There are several methods of producing gin. The EU defines three:

-London Gin which is produced by the traditional method described below. Plymouth gin is made in a similar manner.
-Gin can be made from any spirit alcohol made from agricultural product which meets the neutral alcohol requirements laid down in the spirit drink regulation. The neutral alcohol must be distilled to a minimum of 96% ABV and the residues must not exceed those stated in the neutral alcohol definition. The finest raw materials for this 'neutral' spirit are either grain (normally barley or maize) or molasses. The best neutral alcohol has no flavor at all.
-Gin can be produced by simply flavoring suitable alcohol with substances (known as botanicals) which give a predominant taste of juniper; this method is technically known as "compounding".

The type and quantity of each producer's botanicals vary according to their own closely guarded recipes; all are carefully selected and tested for purity and quality. All gins include juniper as an ingredient: other botanicals used are coriander, angelica, orange peel, lemon peel, cardamom, cinnamon, grains of paradise, cubeb berries and nutmeg.

There are three definitions of gin: gin, distilled gin and London Gin. We'd get too lost in the weeds here by offering the specific definitions. Click here for the official EU Gin definitions. And note that Plymouth Gin is made in Plymouth, England.

As with many of our product categories, your shopping choices can be divided into craft producers and mass market producers. Price, quality and value are the usual decision points.

We stock gin from craft producers like Berkshire, Bluecoat, Brooklyn, Hendricks and the Botanist. These gins are made in non-traditional locations like Massachusetts, Philadelphia and the Islay region of Scotland.  Larger producers include Beefeater, Bombay, Gordon's and Tanqueray. There are about two dozen different brand choices in our Gin category. Talk with our in-store experts about the best selection for your palate, or just experiment until you find the one you like.

Gin Cocktails

From Bluecoat, try the Gin Rickey
1.5 oz Bluecoat American Dry Gin
.5 oz Cointreau
.5 oz fresh lime juice
Club soda

Add the ingredients into an ice filled Collins glass. Gently stir. Garnish with a few lime wheels.

Or try the Unusual Negroni, from Hendrick's Gin
1 Part Hendrick's Gin
1 Part Martini & Rossi Sweet Vermouth
1/2 Part Campari

1/2 Part Aperol
Orange Segments and Zest

Combine ingredients and shake well with ice. Serve up and garnish with an orange twist.

Cheers!

Some information courtesy the Gin and Vodka Association of Great Britain and liquor.com.