Get ready to mark your calendars because the biggest celebration for gin lovers is coming up! World Gin Day is coming up on June 8, 2024. Whether you’re new to the delightful world of gin or a seasoned connoisseur who swears by the timeless gin and tonic, this gin guide is just for you. Let’s dive deep into gin’s fascinating history, from its origins in the Middle Ages to its rise as a popular spirit with medicinal properties in the 17th century. Did you know that gin made its way to India during the British colonial era and gained a loyal following among British officers stationed there? Fast forward to the present day, and we couldn’t be more satisfied with inventive gin-based craft cocktails and classic gin and tonic combos.
What makes gin so special?
There’s more than one reason for this. “Gin stands out for its botanical complexity and versatility,” explains Sanchit Agarwal, co-founder of Nissaki Gin. “Unlike other spirits, gin’s distinct flavour comes from a careful balance of juniper berries and the diversity of botanicals, which can include anything from citrus peels to exotic spices. This allows for an incredible range of flavours, making each gin unique.”
Gin is one of the few alcoholic beverages that is a favorite among both casual drinkers and connoisseurs. While you may know how to appreciate a good glass of gin, a true gin lover should know how it is made. Any ideas? Read on to learn about this interesting process.
The gin’s flavor comes from a balance of juniper berries and a variety of botanicals. Photo Credit: iStock
Step-by-step process of gin production
Sanchit Agarwal of Nissaki Gin shares the process he follows to create top quality gin:
- Vegetation selectionHigh quality botanicals, including juniper berries, are selected for their unique flavor.
- Maceration: The botanicals are soaked in a base spirit, usually a neutral grain spirit, to extract their flavor.
- Distillation: This blend is distilled in small batches in a 200-litre copper pot still.
- Blending: The distilled spirits are blended in pharmaceutical-grade blending tanks to achieve the desired flavor.
- Rest: The gin is then allowed to sit for 20 days to allow the flavours to blend together.
- Filtration: After blending, the gin is put through a precise 5-micron filtration process to ensure purity and enhance the smoothness of the final product.
- Bottled: Finally, the gin is diluted to 40% and bottled.
If you think all types of gin are the same, you are wrong. There are many types of gin, which can differ from each other in taste, dryness and other aspects, depending on factors such as location and production process. Learning about the different types of gin can deepen your understanding of this alcoholic beverage.
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Exploring the Different Types of Gin
Unlock levels of gin by learning more about these different types of gin:
1. London Dry Gin
London Dry Gin is the most commonly used gin. It tastes crisp and clean. London Dry Gin is not sweetened at all and has a more herbal touch. “It is strictly regulated, all the flavours have to be incorporated during the distillation process and no artificial ingredients can be added after distillation,” explains Kaushik, beverage head, Nom Nom Bangalore.
2. Plymouth Gin
As the name suggests, this gin is distilled in Plymouth, England. The juniper in this type of gin is often more subtle. It is one of the few types of gin that are protected with geographical indications.
3. Old Tom Gin
This type of gin was forgotten for a while and was revived in the US during the cocktail renaissance of the 2000s. “Old Tom gin is sweeter than London Dry and has a richer, more rounded maltiness,” says Kaushik of Nom Nom Bangalore.
4. New Western Gins
This category of gin has many names—New American, American Dry, New Western, etc. They were first created by flavoring neutral grain spirits with juniper oil and tree resins. Gurpreet Singh, co-founder and director of World of Brands, explains that this type of gin “places more emphasis on botanicals other than juniper, showcasing a variety of flavors like lavender or cucumber.”
5. Navy Strength Gins
‘Navy Strength Gin’ was invented in the 18th century. This gin is spicy and tangy. It has a very high alcohol content, over 57.15%. It is best consumed with ice and tonic water, and garnished with lemon wedges and ginger.
Preparing gin-based drinks is no rocket science. However, if you have no idea about the right glass and the right mixer, it can be confusing and might not lead to the best drink. Don’t worry, check out some expert-approved points to keep in mind while making gin-based drinks and earn accolades for your bartending skills!
Also read: A must-try summer cocktail recipe made with two local ingredients – give it a try!
How to Make a Great Glass of Gin
Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your next gin-based drink:
- Select the type of gin that matches your taste preferences.
- If you’re making a gin and tonic, use a highball glass because it can hold ice well. For a gin martini, use a martini glass or a tumbler to drink gin from.
- “Use large ice cubes to chill the drink without diluting it too quickly,” says Gurpreet Singh of World of Brands (WoB). “For a gin and tonic, pour the gin over ice and top it with high-quality tonic water. For a martini, stir or shake the gin with the vermouth over ice, then strain into a chilled martini glass.”
- Gurpreet Singh says some great options for garnishing your gin drinks include, “a slice of lemon or lime for a gin and tonic, an olive or lemon slice for a martini, or fresh herbs like rosemary or basil for a contemporary gin.”
Have you ever tasted elderflower-infused gin? Photo Credit: iStock
Expert tips for people trying gin for the first time
Haven’t tried gin yet? You are in for a wonderful experience. Drinking gin for the first time is indeed an experience, and Sanchit Agarwal shares some simple tips for first-time gin drinkers to enjoy this alcoholic beverage to the fullest:
- Start simple: Start with a classic gin and tonic to appreciate gin’s botanicals.
- Experiment with garnishes: Experiment with different garnishes to see which ones enhance the flavor of the gin for you.
- Explore different gins: Sample different styles of gin to find your favorite flavor profile.
- Drink slowly: Take your time to enjoy the complex flavors and aromas of gin.
With this guide to the world of gin, celebrate this drink with even more vigour and joy. Cheers! Happy World Gin Day!
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