Gin is trending. But do you know how to drink it? Like any spirit, there are certain ways you can drink Gin to really make the flavors shine. Of course, you can always drink it neat or on the rocks, but Gin really comes to life when you know how to mix it up in a cocktail.
This clear spirit has been around for centuries but can be intimidating. Unlike Bourbon, Scotch, or other spirits, Gin is a bit more flexible in how it is made which results in a wide variety of flavors and styles.
You’ll often hear Gin categorized a few different ways — London Dry, Genever, Old Tim, New American, Plymouth, and Navy Strength. But if you are new to the Gin world, this doesn’t tell you much. So, we are breaking Gin down into four styles based on flavor and body. We hope this will help you decide on what Gin to drink next and how to drink it.
There’s more to Gin than juniper. Learn about the different styles and the best ways to drink them.
Four styles of Gin and how to drink them
When it comes to talking about Gin, the range of styles and flavors can be overwhelming. Gin can be distilled with a variety of different botanicals. Juniper is the iconic botanical and the only required component when making Gin. While some people are turned off by strong juniper flavors and therefore are under the impression that they don’t like Gin, there are plenty of options out there that are very light on juniper and feature alternative herbaceous, fruit, or spice flavors instead.
So, with the wide variety of styles, how do you even begin to decide which bottle to drink and how to drink it? To make things a little simpler, we highlighted four main categories of Gin. The styles go from light-bodied and clean to full-bodied and rich. Each features a brand or two to try and some cocktails to mix up. While not all Gins fit neatly into these four categories — some may cross over into two or more — it’s a great place to start and discover how you like to drink Gin.
1. Clean, Citrusy, Refreshing, Medicinal, Very Dry
Who is this Gin for?
Light bodied with citrusy flavors and a clean refreshing finish, if you’re a novice in the Gin world, or not super keen on Juniper, this is the style for you.
Which brands make this style of Gin?
Our favorite in this category is Teasmith Gin. Clean and light-bodied with refreshing notes of lemon verbena and orange zest and just a hint of juniper. This classic London Dry style Gin is rounded out with the unique addition of a Ceylon tea distillate, giving it a bright medicinal herbal finish.
Still a bit unsure about juniper? Another great option in this category is Ginarte. A light-bodied Gin that is bright and fragrant, Ginarte is dominated much more by floral notes of lavender, rose hips, violets, and elderflower than by the traditional juniper. The palate is balanced with refreshing hints of citrus such as lemon zest and grapefruit pith. This is an excellent choice for a beginner who doesn’t love the aggressiveness of juniper. (And the packaging is beautiful!)
What cocktails work best for this style of Gin?
This style of Gin is perfect for a classic Gin & Tonic. Tonic water makes a difference, so pick a brand you enjoy — you’ll taste the tonic just as much as the gin. Give your G&T a twist with a slice of cucumber or a sprig of mint to accent the citrus flavors.
Want another great cocktail to try? Give the French 75 a go — a classic cocktail that combines Gin, Champagne (or sparkling wine), lemon, and simple syrup. This citrusy, effervescent cocktail shines brightest with a light, floral, citrusy Gin like the ones mentioned here.
2. Herbaceous, Juniper, Savory, Dry
Who is this Gin for?
Herbaceous, savory Gins are distilled with herbs such as rosemary, thyme, basil, and more. The addition of these botanicals gives the Gin earthier flavors.
Which brands make this style of Gin?
Our go-to in this category is Bohane Gin. Elegant and medium-bodied with bold aromatics and savory herbs balanced by floral notes of hibiscus and rose, finishing with hints of bright strawberry and dark chocolate. It is an excellent option for a seasoned Gin drinker who wants an inspired refreshing Gin cocktail.
Another great option in this category is Buckley’s. Super herbaceous and medium-bodied with classic notes of juniper and chamomile, this flavorful Gin will go great with bold herbal and refreshing cocktails such as the Last Word but has enough depth to also stand out in spirit-forward cocktails such as a Negroni.
What cocktails work best for this style of Gin?
Use this style of Gin to make refreshing summery cocktails featuring fresh citrus juices or herbal liquors. A great cocktail to try is the Last Word which combines Gin, Green Chartreuse, Maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice.
3. Floral, Fragrant, Sweet & Savory, Medium Body
Who is this Gin for?
Floral Gins are created by incorporating botanicals such as lavender, rose, lilac, chamomile, and hibiscus into the distilling process. The florals create a more delicate aroma complemented by the classic juniper berries.
Which brands make this style of Gin?
An exclusive to our stores, Echlinville Pot-Still Gin (and my favorite) is a bright and medium-bodied Gin with an almost sweet nose featuring surprising tropical notes of melon and lychee. The fragrant floral and fruit aromas lead into a more savory palate of cardamom and coriander that is very light on juniper.
What cocktails work best for this style of Gin?
If you are a fan of spirit-forward cocktails that still let the flavors of the Gin shine, then this is your category. Cocktails like the classic bold-flavored Negroni work well with this type of Gin. You can also drink this Gin neat with a twist of lemon.
Other cocktails to try with this style of Gin include two classics: Aviation and Gimlet.
4. Rich, Creamy, Round, Full Body
Who is this Gin for?
Our last style features fuller-bodied Gins. There’s still plenty of botanicals and juniper just rounded out with a richer, creamier mouthfeel.
Which brands make this style of Gin?
Our top choice for this category is a woman-owned distillery from the west coast of Scotland called Lussa Gin. Rich, creamy, and full-bodied with a gentle wheat backbone and notes of honeysuckle, rosemary, delicate juniper, and zippy citruses such as Meyer lemon, lemongrass, and lemon zest.
What cocktails work best for this style of Gin?
A classic dry Gin Martini screams for this style of Gin. Combine half part dry vermouth to two and a half parts Gin — stirred not shaken to not over dilute the spirit with ice. We have a twist for you to try. Instead of dry vermouth in your Martini, try using a dry, acidic white wine such as a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.
Two more cocktails that benefit from this fuller-bodied Gin include the Bijou featuring sweet vermouth and Green Chartreuse, and the Martinez, including sweet vermouth, Maraschino liqueur, and two types of bitters.
Want a deeper dive into the history of gin and how it is made? Check out our guide to Gin. You’ll be an expert Gin drinker in no time!
