What Is Gin Made Of and What Is Gin?

What is gin made of? Gin is a versatile spirit that features in many cocktails and mixed drinks. For many people, it is the trend drink par excellence. Gin creates good vibes, suits every occasion, and simply tastes great. It can be enjoyed in many ways: as a long drink, a cocktail, or simply neat. This spirit is always a crowd-pleaser, and gin tastings in particular are always hugely popular.

But what exactly is gin? And where does gin come from? Here is a little history lesson: most people probably do not know that gin originally comes from the Netherlands, where it was called Genever. The spirit made its way to England via the British army. Due to the complicated pronunciation, the name was shortened to gin, a name that has stuck affectionately ever since.

What Is Gin Made Of?

The main ingredient in gin production is neutral alcohol of agricultural origin, usually obtained from grain or potatoes, similar to schnapps or vodka. An essential component of gin, however, is juniper, which gives it its characteristic flavor. According to EU spirits regulations, the focus in gin production is not on the flavor itself but on the use of agricultural alcohol. As such, gin is fundamentally made from a base of neutral alcohol and juniper berries.

The drink therefore consists of at least two ingredients: alcohol and juniper berries. Modern gins are also made from grapes and other fruits. And that is part of what makes it so wonderful: this spirit is diverse and genuinely suited to every taste. This is also why gin is often referred to as the perfume of spirits, because its flavor profile can be so incredibly varied. The taste comes primarily from the gin spices and the botanicals used in its production.

Tip: Want to find out how gin tastes as well as learn about gin production? Then visit our gin tasting and immerse yourself in the aromatic world of gin.

What Is the Base for Gin?

The base for gin is a neutral alcohol obtained through the distillation of grain, rye, or barley. This alcohol is then flavored with juniper berries and other botanicals to create the characteristic taste of gin.

Is Gin a Juniper Spirit?

Gin is often referred to as a "juniper spirit", as the aroma of juniper berry extract gives the drink its characteristic flavor. However, other botanicals and spices can also influence the taste depending on the production method and brand.

What Are Botanicals?

Botanicals are ingredients that consist of a blend of plants and spices. Gin botanicals typically contain 10-20 ingredients, while modern gin creations can include up to 30-50 ingredients in the botanical blend.

What Types of Botanicals Are There?

• Berries
• Barks
• Seeds
• Fruits
• Fruit peels
• Spices
• Herbs
• And roots

Cardamom, as well as orange and lemon peel, are frequently among the ingredients of this trendy spirit. Each gin, therefore, has its own unique recipe. A further requirement for a spirit to be called gin is that juniper berries must always be present in the drink. In classic gin, the juniper berries should be one of the more dominant aromatic and flavor notes. Their bitter taste gives gin its distinctive character.

Learn about the different flavors of gin varieties and their botanicals at our gin tasting and become tomorrow's gin expert.

How Do the Different Gin Styles Come About?

Thanks to the diversity of gin, there is a wide variety of styles, each unique in its own way. The differences between gin styles arise from:

• The number of distillation processes
• The point at which botanicals or aromas are added
• The addition of spices
• The addition of sugar
• And the storage method

This is probably also why gin enjoys such widespread popularity. Every gin style is different and has a different effect when drunk. Which gin styles appeal to you most is something you will ultimately have to discover for yourself.

What Types of Gin Are There?

• Juniper-forward gins: Juniper takes center stage, often combined with citrus notes and coriander.
• Citrus-led gins: As the name suggests, flavor notes of lemon, lime, bergamot, or citron play a central role. The peel of fresh citrus fruits is frequently used.
• Spicy gins: These consist of either garden herbs or Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary and thyme.
• Floral gins: Blossoms such as elderflower or lavender can also be added during gin production.
• Crisp gins: These gin styles often contain various pepper notes, coriander, and cardamom.

As you can see, there are many options open to you. Even for those who did not enjoy their first gin: perhaps simply try a different style, you might just discover your new favorite.

How Is Gin Made?

If you are interested in making gin yourself, you can learn and practice this in our gin distilling class. Now that you know what gin is made of, our gin distilling classes will teach you all the fundamentals you need for gin production. Afterwards, you will be able to immediately recognize what makes a high-quality gin.

Maceration

• Maceration involves the transfer of aromas
• The juniper and botanicals are steeped in neutral alcohol
• This happens without any application of heat
• The alcohol draws the aromas out of the botanical blend
• This mixture is called the macerate

Another Method of Gin Production: Percolation

• This is an alternative method for transferring aromas
• In this case, the alcohol flows directly through the botanicals
• The aromas are absorbed in the process
• Or: The botanicals are placed in a basket above the alcohol during distillation, so that the alcohol vapour can absorb the aromas directly

Gin Distillation

• Interesting fact: In the past, gin was produced in bathtubs, as these were the largest available containers
• Today things look quite different: gin is generally distilled in distillation units
• Distillation is a thermal separation process in which the macerate is heated in a still
• This distillation process is known as digestion
• During heating, the aromatised base alcohol is separated from the rest
• It evaporates faster than the water and remaining substances
• The alcohol vapours rise up and become liquid again as they cool
• The result is a high-proof alcohol condensate: the gin distillate

Distillation ensures that the gin is of high quality, as all undesirable substances are separated from the refined and fruity elements. Learn more about this noble spirit and taste a range of exclusive gins at a gin tasting.

How Are the Different Gin Styles Produced?

The production of different gin styles varies depending on the recipe and botanicals used. In general, however, neutral alcohol distillate is flavoured with juniper berries and other selected botanicals. The ingredients are distilled in a copper still to infuse the alcohol with the aromas of the botanicals. The choice of botanicals and their quantities influence the flavour and aroma of the finished gin. Some gin styles are flavoured again after distillation or matured in barrels to develop additional aromas. Popular gin styles include London Dry Gin, Old Tom Gin, and New Western Dry Gin. Each style has its own characteristic aromas and lends itself to different cocktails and drinks.

Can You Make Gin Yourself?

You can make gin at home. To do so, you need alcohol, juniper berries, and other ingredients such as spices and botanicals. The exact recipe varies depending on personal taste and the desired aromatic profile.

Making Gin Yourself: Instructions

Step 1: Choose the aromas and spices you want to use in your gin. These typically include juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica root, lemon peel, orange peel, and other spices of your choice.

Step 2: Take a bottle of vodka and add the selected aromas and spices. The exact quantities vary depending on taste and recipe, but a good rule of thumb is to use around 1–2 tablespoons of aromatics per 750 ml of vodka.

Step 3: Seal the bottle well and leave it in a cool, dark place for 1–2 weeks. This allows the aromas to infuse into the vodka.

Step 4: After 1–2 weeks, strain the gin through a cheesecloth or coffee filter to remove the solids. Make sure to press out all the aromatics well to extract the full flavor.

Step 5: Transfer the gin to a clean bottle and store in a cool, dark place until you are ready to serve.

How Is Gin Stored?

After the distillation process, the still-high-proof gin (approx. 96% ABV) needs to be stored. It should be kept in neutral containers such as stainless steel tanks, glass demijohns, or stoneware vessels. This prevents any aromatic substances from influencing the flavor of the gin.

For gin to reach a truly high quality, it must be stored for around 2–6 weeks so that it can mature undisturbed. Gins stored in non-neutral containers such as wooden barrels often have a darker color, as the storage process can stretch over months, and are therefore often of lower quality.

Since gin has a high alcohol content, it must be diluted with some lime-rich water. Otherwise, it would not be drinkable. However, the alcohol content of gin must be at least 37.5% ABV.

Overview of Gin Production and Storage

Gin Production – Now You Know What Gin Is Made Of

Thanks to its flavor diversity, gin is simply a drink that always works and can be used for any occasion. We are absolute fans of this spirit and always try to showcase gin in the best possible way.