What is Gin?!

We all love Gin, right? But there are so many questions…

What exactly is Gin? Where did it come from? Why do we love it so much? How is Gin made?

Let us give you a super fast history lesson with a fun Science twist. Hold onto your tonics, as you are in for a bumpy ride!

When did it come to the UK?

200 years ago, the British found an early version of Gin, “Jenever” during the The Thirty Year war and brought it back to the UK. Jenever was used by Dutch fighters (before rushing into battle with the British) and this, their version of gin was known as “Dutch Courage”.

Fun fact: Jenever, literally translates as 'Juniper'.

So why don’t we drink Jenever widely in the UK?

Whilst Jenever, like Gin, is a juniper-flavored traditional liquor, it is only made in the Netherlands, Belgium and adjoining areas in northern France and northwestern Germany - not something we can make in Blighty. It’s also served very differently, this liquor, is served straight in a tulip shaped glass with a little sugar. Gin, of course, is usually served with tonic (but that’s a story for another day!)

What is Gin?

Essentially, gin is a flavoured vodka. The only clear difference between the two drinks is the predominant flavour and aroma of the juniper in Gin. 

To create both Vodka and Gin you need to start with a neutral spirit at 96% ABV (alcohol by volume) that has been derived from potatoes or grain. With the gin, you then rectify or compound this base spirit with botanicals, in such a way that the predominant flavour present is the juniper, usually either distilled in a London Dry method, or a bath tub method. Gin must, by law, then be bottled at a minimum ABV of 37.5% - Jellyfish Gin is 40% ABV.

When did the Brits start drinking Gin?

By the early 1700’s ‘Gin Shops’ were already a popular destination, and, like today, gin had become a huge part of the culture at the time. During this time, us Brits were consuming so much gin that it had led to widespread abuse and hardship, resulting in the famous 1751 Gin Act being introduced in an attempt to curb the nation's consumption.

Fast forward to now and Gin is a widely popular drink, mostly in part to the rise in popularity of a refreshing G&T.