What is gin made of

Overview

Gin is a distilled alcoholic spirit made from a neutral grain base (typically wheat, barley, or other grains) and flavored with botanicals, most notably juniper berries. The distinctive juniper flavor is legally required to make a spirit qualify as gin, making it the defining ingredient that sets gin apart from vodka and other neutral spirits.

Base Spirits and Distillation

Gin production begins with creating a neutral spirit through distillation of grains or other agricultural products. Producers then infuse this base spirit with botanicals through various methods: direct infusion (soaking botanicals in spirit), vapor infusion (botanical vapors passing through heated spirit), or maceration (soaking botanicals before distillation). The choice of method significantly affects the final flavor profile and character of the gin.

Key Botanicals

Juniper berries are mandatory, providing piney, woody, and slightly citrus notes. Beyond juniper, common botanicals include coriander seed (warm, slightly sweet), angelica root (herbal, earthy), licorice root (sweet, anise-like), citrus peels (bright, refreshing), iris root (floral), and cardamom (warm, spicy). Premium gins often experiment with unusual botanicals like lavender, cucumber, rose petals, or regional ingredients to create unique flavor profiles.

Types and Styles

London Dry gin is the most common style, with strict regulations requiring minimum juniper prominence and no added sweeteners. Plymouth gin is a protected geographical indication from Plymouth, England with specific botanical requirements. Old Tom gin is a sweeter, older style with a heavier botanical profile. Contemporary or craft gins experiment with unconventional botanicals and often emphasize non-juniper flavors.

History and Production

Gin originated in the Netherlands in the 17th century as a medicinal spirit before being embraced by the British. London became the center of gin production and innovation during the 18th and 19th centuries, developing the London Dry style. Today, gin production occurs worldwide, with producers in Spain, Japan, and other countries creating distinctive regional varieties using local botanicals and traditional or modern distillation techniques.