The greatest of the clear spirits, vital element to a classic Martini, and the quintessence of G&T, there is so much to know about this flavorsome spirit. Gin is an alcoholic beverage made from grain and enriched with botanicals. The pine flavor in gin comes from juniper berries, which is the main ingredient of this versatile drink.
Traditionally, gin is a Dutch invention that goes by the name ‘jenever’, but the English made this drink popular all over the world. Often prepared by mashing wheat grains, rye, barley, and corn, gin has a neutral base to enhance the botanical aromas. Some get a faintly golden tint owing to specific distilling techniques. Juniper berries form the crux of this spirit, without which, gin can resemble a flavored vodka. The berries are crushed before blending into the alcohol base, releasing a fresh citrus essence. However, the Juniper Berry is in fact not a berry! It looks like one but is actually a female seed of a highly evolved pinecone with fleshy, fused scales.
There are quite a few types of gin in distinct flavors. London dry gin has a strict method of production with specific percentages of ingredients and absolutely zero sugars. Genever is a sweet juniper-flavored gin whereas Old Tom gin is the opposite of London Dry. The Old Tom variety is the kind where sugar is the be-all and end-all! Plymouth gin boasts of a strong juniper presence, making it a popular base for a classic ‘G and T’.
Gin is also popular in the land of the rising sun, Japan. Hand-selecting and gathering indigenous botanicals gives Japanese gin a distinctly oriental flavor. Reserve gin is another kind that has been distilled and kept for a specific time period in wooden barrels. Safe to say, there’s a gin out there to suit all tastes.
Once a gin is bottled, it will last a lifetime! There is barely any chance that this spirit will age, oxidize or change in any way. But why wait when you can shake up things with a spirit so adaptable? Consider how you’ll end up using a gin before shopping for it. If you’d like to treat yourself to a great session, the first step is to make sure you bring home the one that will best suit your preferences! Find what fits you and order gin online.
A significant factor to take into account is the gin's strength. Gins with a higher ABV can serve as the base of a cocktail that combines other mixers like juices or fizzy drinks. If you were to choose a gin that was bottled at a lower proof, you would typically lose some of the subtle flavors given the higher alcohol content. The best way to compare this is to try them at room temperature, diluted with an equal amount of water. This highlights the good and bad qualities of the brand you choose.
Gin has an interesting tie with India that dates back to the 17th century. When Britain started colonizing India, the country's high temperatures got them to combine gin with tonic water. And thus, the greatest of all time ‘Gin and tonic’ was first created and gained popularity all over. Interestingly, back in 1928, gin and tomato juice was considered a hangover remedy in New York City.
If G and T were to go by the rules, it should be served in a Copa glass. The Copa glass, also known as the Copa de Balon glass, mimics a wine glass in appearance. It rests on a stem and has a head that is rounded and bulbous in style. Highball, tumbler, rocks, goblet, coupe, balloon, and martini glasses are also used for enjoying gin concoctions.
On the rocks, shaken or stirred, gin is never a letdown in cocktails. The versatility of this spirit goes beyond a regular ‘Gin and Tonic and is considered one of the fastest-growing spirits in the world. The possibilities are endless when it comes to cocktail building with gin.
Gin and food? Yes, there exists history! The first known food pairing was gingerbread in 1731. In some parts of England, this has remained a custom and is still quite common. Gin's botanical ingredients, such as juniper and mint are often added to foods to enhance flavor. From smoked salmons to Indian curries, one could grab pages from cookbooks and ideate the best gin pairings by matching the botanicals with the main ingredients.
Be it a celebratory moment or a break from a busy schedule, why go to the store when you can opt for online gin delivery? Have yourself a little cool-off time and mix it up with snazzy gin flavors. Discover some of the greatest bottles available and order gin online by browsing through our collection. We say gin is in!
