Gin is made from a grain, starch or fermentable fruit, juniper berries and other botanical ingredients. To be classified as gin, brandy must contain juniper and have at least 40% alcohol by volume. Gin differs from other liquors by the use of botanical ingredients in the distillation process. Gin is generally made from a grain base, such as wheat or barley, which is first fermented and then distilled.
Gin is an alcoholic beverage that is obtained by distillation from a grain base (wheat or barley). In an additional procedure, botanical ingredients are added together with water until the desired flavors are met. To be called gin, the spirit drink must have a predominant juniper berry flavor. Juniper is a type of aromatic “fruit” that grows along the branches of junipers.
The only ingredient that all gins have in common is juniper, a characteristic botanical that is used to flavor this liquor. Since it is a main ingredient that defines gin, distillers use juniper berries in their puree, helping to highlight the traditional pine notes often found inside. While many distillers like to combine juniper with a variety of other spices to help achieve more complex and sophisticated flavors, juniper is the star of the show that unites everything. Juniper is the only botanical found in all gins.
The law requires that the cones of the juniper shrub (often referred to as “juniper berries”) be present and perceptible in order for a liquor to be called gin. Juniper is found in 100% of spirits called gins. The juniper berry is known for imparting the traditional pine note of gin, although it can also appear as resinous, waxy, herbaceous or even green and fresh. The juniper in gin is generally Juniperus communis; however, occasionally distillers use local species that may have a very different flavor in gin.
Here we share our knowledge on some of the most common questions related to gin, such as “What is gin made of? and “How do you make gin? as he delves into the different ways of making gin, the different ways in which gin is distilled, as well as the rich history and intriguing future of gin. As you may have guessed, there is not a single type of gin. There are many types of gin, a fact that makes it even more difficult to answer questions such as “How is gin made? , “What's in gin? , and of course, “What's the best gin? We suggest you search Gin Observer's interactive brand directory to find one that fits your tastes and expectations. If you're new to the world of gin or prefer a fresher experience, look for brands of gin with lemon, such as Malfy's Gin Con Limone.
Depending on the flavor they're trying to achieve, whether it's more citrus or floral, some of the most commonly used botanical ingredients are coriander seeds, lemon and orange peels, almonds, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Both, of course, come from the namesake blackthorn of blackthorn gin, a small fruit similar to a plum, also known as blackthorn, and which is usually added to a ready-made gin. Strong opinions abound on both sides of the argument about how or whether or not innovative new products should be allowed to call themselves “gin”. Some reliable contemporary gins include Rhubarb-infused Malfy Gin Rosa, the sour KOVAL blueberry gin liqueur, and the tasty but floral Broken Bones Ljubljana Dragon gin.
You might not think that an autumnal, ginger-infused spice like coriander would go well with resinous juniper, but the two botanical ingredients have been used hand in hand for centuries. Very popular among the wealthy of 18th century England, Old Tom Gin went out of style in the 19th and 20th centuries, but has found new followers among today's artisanal gin enthusiasts. The certified organic juniper used in Sing Gin is responsibly sourced from Italy and is suitable for kosher certified vegans. We should also mention that soil, climate, and minerals influence the flavor of juniper, which explains why even similarly distilled gins can taste markedly different, just one of the many reasons why gin is such an adaptable beverage.
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