Gin 101: What is Gin and Cocktails you can make with gin
Gin is a distilled spirit made from juniper berries. Juniper berries are used to flavor the white grain and cane sugar that comprise gin during the distilling process. The two most common types of gin are London dry gin and Plymouth gin. London dry gin is distinguishable from Plymouth gin not only because they are made from different ingredients, but because bitter botanicals are included. London dry gin is made from taking a neutral grain spirit and re-distilling it after the botanicals are added. Juniper, lemon, and bitter orange peel are some examples of botanicals that are added to London Dry Gin.
Gin is a dry spirit and is typically served with mixers (tonic water) in order to balance the taste. The featured ingredient in the Tom Collins, Salty Dog, Singapore Sling, Gin Fizz, & Gin Rickey is…gin!
History
The name, Gin, originates from the French word Genevrier (Juniper), which is the prominent berry that flavors the drink. It originated in the Netherlands in the 17th century with Franciscus Sylvius often named as its creator. Gin wasn’t always the refined spirit it is today. Originally it was marketed as a treatment for kidney ailments. And as a result of its popularity, a tariff was placed on imported spirits. The English would even use the grain unfit for beer to distill and produce their gin. Despite the harsh taste of this gin, it became popular with the poor due to its cost.
Popular Brands of Gin
Aristocrat Gin
Barton Gin
Bluecoat Gin
Booth's London Dry
Bowman's Virginia Gin
Burnett's Gin
Fleischmann's Gin
Gilbey's London Dry
Gordon's London Dry
Odesse Gin
Old Colony Gin
Schenley's O.F.C.
Seagram's Distiller's Reserve Gin
Seagram's Extra Dry
Senator's Club Gin
Jacquin's Orange Gin
Old Mr. Boston Mint Gin
Seagram's Apple Twisted Gin
Seagram's Lime Twisted
Seagram's Orange Twisted Gin
Tanqueray Rangpur
Baffert's Gin
Beefeater Gin
Bombay Gin
Bombay Sapphire Gin
Boodles Gin
Broker's Gin
Citadelle Gin
Hendrick's Gin
Juniper Green Organic London Dry Gin
Maggellan Gin
Martin Miller's London Dry Gin
Pink Diamond Gin
Pinnacle Gin
Plymouth Gin
Quintessential Gin
Tanqueray Gin
Tanqueray No. 10 Gin
Van Gogh
Cocktails with Gin
Easy Street – gin and Sprite
Gimlet – gin and lime juice
Gin and Tonic – gin and tonic water
Gin Rickey – gin, lime juice, & carbonated water
Gin Sour – gin and sour mix
Long Island Iced Tea – vodka, gin, rum, triple sec w/splash of sour mix, & cola
Martini – gin & vermouth
Orange Blossom – Plymouth gin and orange juice
Salty Dog – gin & grapefruit juice with salted rim.
Singapore Sling – gin, cherry brandy, triple sec, sour mix, & grenadine
Snoop Dogg – gin & juice (orange)
Tom Collins - gin, sour mix, & sprite
Tranny Dogg – gin, cranberry juice, & pineapple juice
London Mule – the Gin version of a Moscow Mule
Uncle Makee – gin and any cola w/lime White Lady
