With this quick-start guide to gin, you’ll learn everything you need to know about this flavorful and versatile spirit, from how it’s made to the best brands to buy. Whether you’re mixing up a classic cocktail or trying a new recipe, our Gin 101 guide will help you choose the right bottle and make the most of it.
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Everything You Need to Know about Gin
Welcome to Gin 101! This spirit is complex, with layers of herbal, floral and spiced flavors that vary widely from bottle to bottle.
People often tell me that they hate gin. And honestly? I get it. Gin wasn’t always one of my favorite spirits for cocktails, either, but it has grown on me in a big way. When I was younger, the strong, herbal, almost-medicinal taste of cheap gin turned me away. But now, I’m learning to like those complex flavors.
To anyone who tells me they hate gin cocktails, I tell them they just haven’t tried the right gin yet! The gin craze is legit, and it’s all about pinpointing your preferences.
I’ve got the perfect gin guide for you today, so you can be more informed about what bottle to buy for any gin cocktail recipe you come across. These guides are designed to teach you about spirits, so you can know more about what you’re putting into your drinks and feel more confident choosing the right bottles.
Okay, ready to gab about gin? Let’s get right into it!
What is gin?
Nicknamed Mother’s Ruin, gin is a colorless spirit that is usually unaged. It’s made by distilling grains with juniper berries and other aromatics and botanicals.
Juniper berries are a natural diuretic, and they’ve been used as medicine for centuries. The folks at Serious Eats wrote a fabulous history of gin that explains its roots in Italy, Holland and — of course — Great Britain.
According to VinePair, there are 820+ gin distilleries in the United Kingdom alone, and many more in the United States and other countries. Unlike American whiskey or Scotch whisky, there is no requirement that gin be produced in any particular country. However, to be considered a London Dry gin, the gin must be produced in London; otherwise it’s called dry gin!
Now that you have the basics, let’s get into Gin 101 and all the things you need to know about it!
What gin tastes like
Some people refer to gin as “vodka distilled with botanicals to give it extra flavor.” This is sort-of true, as both gin and vodka are made with a neutral spirit. Vodka is a neutral spirit that’s re-distilled and diluted to take the edge off, while gin is redistilled with aromatic ingredients that give it its signature layers of flavor.
Juniper berries, coriander seed, cardamom pod, citrus peels, angelica root, anise and cassia bark are just a few of the aromatics that typically flavor gin. Gin commonly has flavor notes of juniper, citrus, pepper, vanilla and licorice.
Gins can take on many flavors and notes. You might hear it described as smooth, clean and bright, noting the crispness that gin brings to the table. It’s often referred to as herbal, floral, botanical or earthy, but it can also be spicy, fruity, piney (like pine trees) or grassy (like grass).
Types of gin
If Gin 101 teaches you anything, it should be that gin is incredibly nuanced, with many different styles. Each style — and even each brand — may have a different distillation process, flavor and/or strength.
- London dry gin is what most people know as gin. It’s light-bodied and the best for gin and tonics, aviations and dry martinis. It must be produced in London to be called London dry gin, otherwise it’s just dry gin! (That’s how we have American dry gin and Scottish dry gin.)
- Plymouth gin is a rich gin that’s only made in Plymouth, England. It is clean and dry, and suitable anytime you’d use a London dry.
- A sweeter, more full-bodied version, Old Tom gin is best for the Tom Collins, the gin rickey or the Martinez.
- Genever is the original gin, less herbal and more sip-able. Drink it straight or mix it in a John Collins or a Gin Fix.
- The international style of gin pulls from a wider variety of botanicals worldwide, bringing more worldly flavors to gin. They tend to have less juniper and more botanicals.
Other types to know
There are some other spirits on the market that are similar to gin, but aren’t quite the real thing. It wouldn’t be Gin 101 without a quick mention!
- Sloe gin is a fruity, liqueur made of gin that’s sweetened and traditionally plum-flavored. Many of the traditional brands like Hayman’s produce great sloe gins, but it can be a misnomer made with vodka and flavoring. It’s great in the sloe gin fizz and Alabama slammer.
- Scandinavian Aquavit (or Akvavit) is very similar to gin, but aquavit is made with caraway or dill, while gin favors juniper berries. Try it in a Swedish mule.
- Purple gin is gin infused with ingredients like butterfly pea flowers, violets or blackcurrants, which give them a blueish purple color. The chemical pH of the butterfly pea flower gins change when it meets acidic citrus, turning the gin a bright pink. (Empress Gin made this famous.)
How to drink gin
Unlike other distilled spirits like whiskey, gin isn’t usually sipped without mixers, as gin can be cloying for some. You can sip it straight, of course, though many people prefer gin in a cocktail such as a classic gin gimlet or vesper martini, as other ingredients like dry vermouth, citrus or simple syrup can help balance the bite of gin.
If you wish to try sipping gin, you can really appreciate its botanical flavors, but it’s best enjoyed slowly. I do it like this:
- Pour a small amount into a glass, such as a rocks glass *. Let it sit for a moment to open up.
- Take a small sip, letting it coat your palate and breathe out through your nose to pick up the nuanced aromas.
- Only then should you start taking bigger sips! Now, enjoy.
If the gin tastes too strong for you: Add a bit of water or an ice cube to slightly dilute the alcohol and highlight different botanicals. You also might prefer a cocktail — add a lime wedge and a splash of club soda, tonic water or any other soda water.
The best gin brands
The best gin for you is going to depend on your taste preferences and what you plan to make with it. As with all my spirit guides, I always tell you to buy the best alcohol you can afford, and Gin 101 is no different! But if you have a bit to spare, a mid-shelf gin is the best bang for your buck.
For example, do you like the juniper and pine vibes of a traditional London dry, or do you prefer something more herbal and floral? Some recipes call for specific gins like a Negroni sbagliato which often uses London Dry.
Popular and well-known brands include:
London dry gins
- Tanqueray
- Bombay Sapphire
- Gordon’s
- Beefeater
- Boodles
- Whitley Neill
- Seagram’s
- Gibley’s
- Bulldog
Other dry gins
- Citadelle (French gin)
- Gray Whale Gin (American gin)
- Aviation Gin (American gin)
- Hendrick’s (Scottish gin)
- The Botanist (Scottish Islay gin)
- Nikka Coffey (Japanese gin)
- Roku (Japanese gin)
- Suntory (Japanese gin)
Other gins
Beyond London Dry, you can find many brands for each of the gin styles on the shelves, such as:
- Plymouth gin: There is only one brand of Plymouth gin, which is called — you guessed it — Plymouth gin. It’s delicious in a Clover Club!
- Old Tom gin: Hayman’s and Ransom are two fantastic Old Toms.
- Genever: Bols and Genevieve are two brands of Genever you can find on the shelves.
- Purple gin: Empress 1908 Gin is a great purple gin, but we also like Hayman’s and Whitley Neill.
- Sloe gin: Again, sloe gin is not really a gin, but including it anyway! We like Sipsmith and Hayman’s.
My favorites
My go-to gins are Citadelle, Gray Whale, The Botanist and Hendrick’s, so a couple of those will always be on my bar cart for their herbal and floral flavors. I also keep Beefeater around for recipe testing with London Dry — it’s very crisp and neutral. Hayman’s Old Tom has a slight sweetness that I use in lighter cocktails from time to time, and Empress 1908 is fun when I want to impress guests with a color-changing cocktail!
For my fellow North Carolinians, I love supporting local distillers when I can. I really enjoy Cardinal Gin of Kings Mountain, Sutlers Gin of Winston-Salem and Conniption Gin of Durham.
Non-alcoholic gin
If you need a mocktail version of gin, you’re in luck — I think the gin-like zero-proof spirits are the best! You can even make your own homemade zero-proof gin with cucumber, herbs and spices.
zero-proof gin alternatives
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Gin recipes
We can’t finish Gin 101 without a few recipes! Here are some common ways you can use the bottle of gin on your bar cart *.
Serious gin cocktails: Gin is a staple in many classic cocktail recipes, notably the iconic classic martini, bitter Negroni and foamy Ramos gin fizz. However, these drinks are for more advanced palates and skill levels (IMO) and easier and sweeter drinks may be a better way to get to know gin.
Sweet gin cocktails: The classic gimlet is always a must, or try its cousins the bee’s knees and the cucumber Eastside cocktail! The pretty pink lady and gin daisy are also fun, classic drinks to try.
Champagne drinks: Gin and sparkling wine go really well together. For celebrations, there’s nothing like a fizzy champagne cocktail with gin! The classy French 75 and floral French 77 are always delightful too.
Well drinks: It’s also excellent in well drinks like the gin & tonic, the gin rickey and Mr. Tom Collins. These are quick and easy recipes that will help you get to know gin.
Substituting gin: Gin can be so good in cocktails that would normally have vodka or another spirit. Try it in a gin-gin mule (a gin version of the Moscow mule), a Red Snapper (a gin spin on the Bloody Mary) or the Salty Dog (a play on the grapefruit Greyhound).
Gin holidays
Gin is enjoyed all over the world anytime, but on gin-themed holidays, we can celebrate it together.
- National Gin & Tonic Day (U.S.): April 9
- World Gin Day: the second Saturday of June
- International Scottish Gin Day: Oct. 4
- International Gin & Tonic Day: Oct. 19
- Australian Gin Day: Nov. 10
Gin 101 FAQ
It’s all gin, but the style really changes the vibe. London Dry is crisp and juniper-forward — think classic G&Ts or martinis. Old Tom is a little sweeter and smoother, perfect for vintage-style cocktails like a Tom Collins. New Western-style gins (like Hendrick’s) tone down the pine and play up citrus, florals or cucumber. It’s not one-size-fits-all!
Technically yes, but it’s like swapping black coffee for herbal tea — same base idea, totally different experience. Vodka is neutral; gin adds character. If a cocktail is built around gin’s botanicals (like a Negroni or a Southside), stick with gin. But in something like a Mule or Spritz, the swap might work.
That bold piney flavor comes from juniper berries — the one thing all gins must include. But here’s the secret: not all gins are pine bombs. Some taste like citrus, herbs or even tea, depending on the botanicals. If you’ve only tried one and hated it, don’t give up — there’s probably a gin out there you’ll love.
Gin is sometimes nicknamed, “Dutch courage,” referring to the fearlessness one might experience when consuming alcohol, but particularly gin. The term originates from the 17th century during the Anglo-Dutch Wars: British soldiers saw the Dutch troops drinking jenever (a precursor to gin) before battle to steady their nerves. The phrase exists today — Dutch courage is the act of drinking alcohol with the intent to boost confidence in social or stressful situations.
Anne @ Unique Gifter says
Sloe gin: grandma’s perfume in a glass! Haha. We have some and boy do you have to be careful not to use too much.