🍸 Gin

Gin is the juniper spirit behind the Martini, the Negroni and the gin and tonic. Legally, it is a spirit drink made by flavouring ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin with berries of common juniper (Juniperus communis) so that juniper remains the dominant taste. In the European Union it is category 20 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/787, with a minimum strength of 37.5% ABV. ¹

The base of gin is ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin. Under Article 5 it has at least 96% vol. and no taste other than that of its raw material. Plain gin may be flavoured only with flavouring substances and flavouring preparations, chosen so that the taste stays predominantly juniper. That means a plain “gin” can be made without distilling the alcohol with botanicals at all. ¹

The word “dry” may be added to the name if added sweetening does not exceed 0.1 g per litre of the finished product, expressed as invert sugar. The general minimum for all EU spirit drinks is 15% vol., but gin's is higher. The US has its own standard, 27 CFR § 5.144: gin is bottled at no less than 40% ABV (80 proof), and juniper must lead the flavour there too. ¹²

Gin is a special case of the broader category 19, juniper-flavoured spirit drinks from 30% vol., which also takes in Wacholder, genebra and genever. Within gin itself the regulation sets two stricter tiers: distilled gin (category 21) and London gin (category 22). ¹

History. According to Sky History, gin was invented in Holland and became popular in England after 1688, when William of Orange took the throne. The government then put a heavy duty on imported spirits and lifted restrictions on domestic production. By the same account, in 1730 about 10 million gallons of gin a year were being distilled in London and sold from 7,000 dram shops; the period is known as the Gin Craze. ⁵

In cocktails. The International Bartenders Association lists gin as the base of classic recipes. A Dry Martini has 60 ml of gin and 10 ml of dry vermouth; a Negroni has 30 ml each of gin, Campari and sweet red vermouth; an Aviation has 45 ml of gin, 15 ml of maraschino, 15 ml of lemon juice and a bar spoon of crème de violette; a White Lady has 40 ml of gin, 30 ml of triple sec and 20 ml of lemon juice. ⁴

Why it matters to you. A plain “gin” on the label is the broadest of the three categories: the aroma may come from flavourings rather than distillation. If the method matters to you, look for “distilled” or “London”. “Dry” is about sugar, not strength. And remember: according to the WHO, there is no safe amount of alcohol. ¹³