Gin

Gin is a spirit distilled from grains and flavored with juniper berries and other botanicals. It originated in the Netherlands and became popular in Britain.

Grain-based alcohol is distilled to a high proof. Then juniper berries and spices like coriander, citrus peels, aniseed, angelica root and orris root are added to extract flavors. The juniper provides the distinctive pine and resinous notes.

Popular styles include:

• London Dry Gin - Dry and crisp, the most common style. Juniper forward.
• Plymouth Gin - Slightly sweeter, more earthy. Protected regional style.
• Old Tom Gin - Sweetened gin style popular in the 1800s.
• Genever - Dutch-style gin with malt wine base. Fuller bodied.

Regions have distinctive styles:

• The UK makes dry gin, especially London Dry, using column stills and highly aromatic botanicals.
• Holland/Belgium produce pot-distilled genever with lower alcohol levels. Some age in oak casks.
• Germany makes a lighter genever-style gin called dornkaat.
• Spain produces London Dry-style gin for mixing.
• The US favors smooth, lower-proof gins, even from UK brands. Some age in charred oak.

Gin grew from genever, brought to Britain by William of Orange. Unregulated production and extreme poverty led to gin's poor reputation, until distilling improved and naval trade spread it. It became the base for many classic cocktails.

Today gin is defined by its dominant juniper profile balanced by complementary botanicals. Popular in martinis and other cocktails, gin makes an aromatic, refreshing spirit when enjoyed responsibly.

Gin likely originated when British soldiers acquired a taste for Dutch genever. In the 1600s it became popular in England as medicine then liquor. Unregulated production led to social ills, until controls and quality brands emerged. As the British Empire grew, so did gin. Victorians took to gentler styles like sloe gin. Cocktails like the gin and tonic became staples of European culture. American prohibition boosted illegal "bathtub" gin. While vodka surpassed gin in the US, gin remains popular today.