Gin for beginners: juniper, botanicals & the perfect tonic
Gin to get you started!
Gin for beginners can quickly become overwhelming - so many varieties, botanicals and tonics! In this guide, you'll find out what really matters, how to find your personal favourite gin and how to make the perfect gin and tonic at home.
What is gin actually?
Put simply, gin is a juniper spirit - a distilled alcohol that is flavoured with juniper berries and other so-called "botanicals". Juniper is a must. Everything else is optional - and that's where it gets exciting.
Botanicals can be:
Citrus peel, coriander seeds, lavender, cucumber peel, rosemary, pepper, cardamom, cinnamon ... the list is endless. And that's exactly why every gin tastes a little different.
Gin styles: briefly explained
London Dry Gin
This is the "straight forward" gin:
- Juniper-accentuated, dry, clear flavour
- No artificial flavourings or sweeteners allowed
- Botanicals are distilled together
Perfect for: Purists and classic gin and tonic fans
Example: Tanqueray, Beefeater, Sipsmith
Distilled Gin
Distillation is also used here, but:
- Flavours or botanicals may still be added after distillation
- Often a little softer as a result, sometimes more creative
For people who like it a little more playful
Example: Monkey 47, Ferdinand's Saar Dry Gin
New Western / Contemporary Gin
Juniper is no longer clearly in the foreground here - the botanicals are allowed to really step on the gas.
- Floral, fruity, spicy, exotic - anything goes
- Often surprising and complex in flavour
For experimenters and sensory lovers
Example: Malfy Gin (citrus), Nordés (sage), Brockmans (with blackberry & blueberry)
Old Tom Gin
A sweeter style of gin - almost forgotten, now rediscovered:
- Slightly sweetened, sometimes with herbal or woody notes
- Soft, round, almost liqueur-like
Great for classic cocktails such as Tom Collins or Martinez
Example: Hayman's Old Tom, Ransom Old Tom (barrel matured!)
Sloe gin (not real gin!)
Technically a gin-based liqueur macerated with sloes
- Sweet, fruity, low alcohol
- Great dessert drink or as a spritz alternative
Which gin suits me?
It's worth looking not only at brands, but also at flavour profiles and styles. A few ideas:
Do you like it tart and classic?
- Try Boodles, Tanqueray Export, or The Duke Rough (strong, Bavarian, handmade)
Are you looking for floral lightness?
- Try The Botanist, Roku Gin (with cherry blossom & green tea), or Jinzu (with sake flavour!)
Fancy wild flavours and excitement?
- Take a look at Procera Gin from Kenya (African juniper!) or Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry (with 47 botanicals)
Do you want something far from the mainstream?
- Ginnik Gin (from Iceland, with wild plants),
- Sea Shepherd Gin (maritime, with seaweed),
- Etsu Gin (from Japan, with yuzu & sansho pepper)
My personal gin tip for beginners?
- Ginself (from Spain, with mandarin & orange) mixed with a Schweppes Dry Tonic and a grapefruit peel!
Tip: Ask specifically about the flavour profile in specialist shops or at tastings - not just for well-known names.
The perfect gin and tonic (and what you can do wrong)
The rule of thumb:
5 cl gin
10-15 cl tonic water (depending on style)
Lots of fresh ice cream
Matching garnish - flavoured to match the gin
Why is ice cream so important?
Lots of ice = less meltwater
- Large ice cubes cool better without watering down the drink.
- A little ice melts quickly and changes the flavour.
Why not just "any" tonic?
Tonic water is not neutral! It has bitter substances, sweetness and sometimes even citrus flavours.
- A tart London Dry Gin often needs a mild, dry tonic
- A fruity contemporary gin can complement a floral or Mediterranean tonic.
Garnish: Flavourful reinforcement!
Garnishes should not only look pretty, but also emphasise the flavour.
The motto: less is more - but with purpose!
Gin style Set
Juniper flavoured Lemon zest, juniper
Fruity raspberry, orange zest
Floral lavender, cucumber
Spicy/herbaceous Rosemary, thyme
If you need inspiration on the subject of gin, then take a look at one of our Gin Tastings over!
